Culture: The perfect d8
Combine the love of art and cycling around London with our simple guide.
One of our Navig8er’s is into art and cycling, and combines the two on a regular basis, peddling from gallery to gallery, taking in the best architecture and sights London has to offer. After seeing an article about Strava art, we felt the urge to create our own route, naturally, this would have to link to the number 8.
8 exhibitions in one day is quite ambitious, even for the experienced critic, so we’ve tried to break it up a bit. Below is a route that includes some of our favourite galleries, spaces and beautiful sites London has to offer, which would roughly mark an ‘8’ on a map (if we left a trail of paint…)
Start: Welcome Collection
183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
The Wellcome Collection is a really great space, with two changing exhibitions and one permanent collection. Each show we have seen here has been well curated, one of the best being Death: A Self Portrait which was on in 2013.
From Euston Road head just down the road to Goodge St, onto the quaint pedestrianised Charlotte Place.
Nancy Victor
6 Charlotte Place, W1T 1SG
Nancy Victor is an independent space hosting interesting exhibitions and installations from emerging artists. On occasion there will be a pop up boutique or designer sample sale. Check out the door too!
Via the back streets of Gower Street, Endell Street and Wellington street, pass the Lyceum Theatre and go over Waterloo Bridge.
Leake St or ’Graffiti Tunnel’
SE1 7NN
Leake St is a 200 meter long tunnel which runs off York Road and under the platforms and tracks of Waterloo Station. There’s some really interesting work all over the walls and several events happen each year, including Feme Fierce which happens on International Women’s day.
Off waterloo roundabout, take a right down Stamford Street towards London Bridge. If you fancy it, stop off at Tate Modern, or if you want to carry on go straight up to and over London Bridge, taking a right towards Liverpool St.
Raven Row
56 Artillery Lane, E1 7LS
Raven Row is a beautiful space that has been constructed within eighteenth century domestic rooms, into two contemporary galleries, and it stands on the part of Artillery Lane that was known as Raven Row until 1895.
After this, the aim is Acme Project Space on Bonner Road, and this can be achieved by going through the back streets of Shoreditch or, on the busy ‘Death Valley’ that is Bethnal Green Road.
Acme Project Space
44 Bonner Road, E2 9JS
Acme Project Space is ran by Acme Studios and provides an opportunity for artists who are part of the Residency & Awards Programme and the International Residencies Programme. It’s a great space, with a beautiful skylight towards the back.
If your gagging for a tea or coffee by this point, either the Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park or The Gallery Cafe on Old Ford Road are nice resting spots.
It’s time to head South, along the regents canal passing through Mile End park, Limehouse and Canary Wharf to Island Gardens/Milwall Park, where you will find the entrance to the Greenwich Foot tunnel. Walk through the tunnel (sadly can’t cycle through here) towards Turnpin Lane.
Ben Oakley Gallery
9 Turnpin Lane, SE10 9JA
Ben Oakley gallery is a cool independent gallery showing some great artists, one of our own colleagues has exhibited here!
Greenwich Market offers a host of top nosh from Spanish paella, vegetarian Ethiopian curry to Japanese tempura. The perfect place to stock up on some well deserved calories before the next stage.
You can follow the river loosely (may have to jump on the road for a little of the way) from Cutty Sark to Shad Thames to arrive at Design Museum.
Design Museum
Shad Thames, SE1 2YD
This is a great space, located on the river. You do have to pay to see the exhibitions, but each is curated well and challenges the way we think about design. There is also a great collection of over 3000 objects from early 1900's to present day. Next year it will be moving to Kensington after being offered a £3 million grant.
From here head over Tower Bridge (favourite bridge in London), towards Euston via Leadenhall Market, Barbican, Theobalds road or Charles Dickens Museum and then The Brunswick centre to arrive back on Euston Road.
Finish: Euston Tap
190 Euston Road, NW1 2EF
You definitely will be ready for a beer by this point. The Euston Tap has two bars - one offering beer, the other offering cider. Take your pick.
Miles: 22.5 (roughly)
Hours: Depends on how long you take in each space and how fast or slowly you peddle.
We haven’t listed street names or given a super strict direction for this route because sometimes its nice to get lost in London. If you choose to follow this route, please do share any comments or images taken on the day.