Camden Art Centre

Great art centre especially one to pop into for a coffee and take in one of the exhibitions. given that it’s a nice manageable size it’s always easy for a quick visit. Most recently the Richard Wright exhibition which involves works painted directly onto the walls. something kind of exciting about that because they can’t be taken down or sold so there’s something it goes against the commercial art world and feel somewhat subversive. I have nothing wrong. I have no complaint with the commercial galleries - they are the engine that drives the paycheques of the art world but it is quite fun to see artists thinking about it in a different way.

They have nice garden with a small coffee shop. Perfect place if you want to have quite time in the city.

After my first visit back in 3-4 years ago,I made my way back to Camden Art Centre today 🙌 The last time I visited an art gallery was in Barcelona this past Spring, so it felt wonderful to dive back into the vibrant art scene right here in my neighbourhood. 🌿 The current exhibition, “All Rendered Truth” by Lonnie Holley, was a standout experience. Holley’s work is deeply evocative, blending raw emotion with intricate storytelling. His paintings are rich with texture and colour, each one telling a unique story that draws you in and makes you reflect. The visual/video art was even more captivating, combining powerful imagery with thought-provoking themes. It’s an exhibition that lingers in your mind long after you leave the gallery. ✨ Post-exhibition, the staff kindly asked me to fill out a survey, and in return, I got a coupon for a free hot drink at their lovely café. ☕ I remembered the café and garden from my last visit, and they’re still as charming as ever. It’s clear why so many locals come here for a peaceful moment. It felt wonderful to reconnect with art so close to home. If you haven’t been in a while, I highly recommend a visit! 👍🎉👍🎉

My first visit - it’s a bit out of central London and there’s a walk from the tube stations. But well worth the effort - It’s calm, welcoming, and free. It’s a lovely art space with a cafe, bookshop, and garden. I was there for what turned out to be a fabulous exhibition - Richard Wright’s work. Staff and volunteers are friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable.

Tried to visit here on a rainy day with my children to see the Richard Wright exhibition. I am a local and I had been there with my baby in the past a couple of times and had a good experience before but today was awful. They were obviously uncomfortable with having me and my children there despite supposedly being somewhere that is family friendly. We have been to several galleries (big and small) and museums around the country and even abroad and so my children are used to being in such places and know how to behave, and other places we have been to understand that there are limits on what you can expect even well supervised small children to do. They were on us immediately, appearing panicked followed us around and we ended up leaving after 5 minutes because we felt so unwelcome. It was not lost on me that we happened to be the only black people around and I feel there was also a racial element to their behaviour .

Very good contemporary art gallery about 10 minutes walk from Hampstead Underground Station. The building the Centre occupies was opened in 1897 as the Hampstead Central Library. It now combines historic architecture with open, modern spaces, a café, bookshop and secluded garden, with free entry for all. We visited to see the Bloomberg New Contemporaries show which included some very interesting works. The exhibition is on until 14 April 2024 and is well worth a visit.

Absolutely love this place! A little oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of Finchley Road. The exhibition spaces are beautiful and the cafe is faultless. Lovely beer on tap and delicious sandwiches and cakes. Great environment to work in, with adjoining garden. It also has a ceramics studio and well-stocked gift shop full of interesting books. Caught a couple of exhibitions whilst there and, although small, well worth it. Staff are lovely and the service was fast and efficient. They don’t do takeaway coffees but not a problem for us since we love the cafe and garden anyway!

First, the Camden Art Centre...I had never been there before. The best tube is Finchley Road on the Metropolitan line. It is a wonderful gallery, on Arkwright Road, full of light and air. I can not sing its praises enough. It felt good. A real gem! As I walked in there were free - yes free - lockers! They were easy to use and it was lovely to leave my heavy bag stuffed with my "survive in London" gear. haha So free of that weight on my back...I could amble! I really admired the works. The artist, Richard Wright, left a display of books and poems on a massive table, that were influential - this was great! A brilliant idea to see works that had interested him! Loved it! The gallery staff were absolutely brilliant. Their love and enjoyment of his work shone through. Talking of shining through, there was a lovely glass work in a side room which was stunning! It made me feel good just looking at it. I did not know, but he does glassworks too! As for the gi - normous work, it was in a lovely big, light room on its own. It was astounding. The room was just right for it. A big, long , wide high room, bathed in light. It even felt refreshing! What a work! It took 5 weeks for the artist and his assistants to do and is well worth seeing. I came away from this exhibition feeling really happy! The works were stunning and intriguing and with the help of some thought, the attendants' enthusiasm, their engaging, friendly chat and insights PLUS the table of Richard Wright's own books, poems, magazines which had influenced him, I felt chuffed. I would suggest a 10/10. It was such a great experience! It was free too...as I feel art should be! The gallery did everything to make me feel welcome, to relax and enjoy the art. What more could you ask for? I must repeat : thanks to the brilliant staff there - talking with them added layers on to my understanding. I was grateful. If you have time go - do not rush around just amble and take your time. You, hopefully will become immersed ; I did. Thanks! A great day.

Took me long enough to visit the Arts Centre, about a block away from where home is, and the place is absolutely gorgeous with a spot on balance of charm and modern gallery space. There are rotating exhibits but as the other reviewers have stated, the building and setting takes the cake. In the "Frognal" neighborhood, there are places here that make you feel like you are in a beautiful green suburb instead of smack down in Zone 2 only a few miles from Baker Streeet, Regents Park and good old Central London. Definitely better option if you want to spend a day enjoying the beautiful British Weather in the Cafe or safely shielded from the rain watching the world through glass walls! Free entry to the Gallery, not open on Monday!

Breathtaking. Stunning. Gorgeous. On the corner of Finchley Road. Diagonally across from Finchley and Frognal Overground station is this hidden beauty. The art amazing, The cafe is good. It has rotating exhibitions and an awesome bookshop. It has a free late evening every Wednesday when it's open till 9pm. It also has a garden - hidden from the hustle of Finchley road or near by Hampstead High Street. It's a perfect place to spend a warm sunny afternoon. Go, please go and experience it for yourself

Love it. The building's gorgeous, and has a wonderful classical charm to it. Inside, the bookstore and cafe are top notch. You can find quirky stationery and gifts, all at very reasonable prices. The cafe is wonderful - lots of glass, greenery and places to sit both inside and out. You can work for hours at a time, and the staff treats you like a king/queen for the afternoon. This tops working/hanging out at Starbucks any day! :)

So I came here to check the cafe out as I've been past a few times but never been inside. This place is gorgeous, the outside garden is amazing, inside is lovely as well. Have a good selection on offer of hot drinks, cold drinks, hot and cold food. The cakes are amazing and are all freshly baked on site that morning. I will definitely be coming back for the cakes. The Victoria sponge cake is to die for!!!

My favourite part about Camden Arts Centre is the building which houses it. It's simply gorgeous. Occasionally I pass by it on bus journeys and wish I had the time to alight but alas. To be quite frank, I've not actually found the place too inspiring aside from location and style, but that's all one. I am more than ready to accept - happily, even - the inclusion of like institutions in the urban and cultural landscape. Bring it on, I say. And give the artists more places to call home rather than less. The world needs more Camden Arts Centres, that's for damn sure.

A really cool hubub of modern art. The centre not only has loads of regular modern art exhibitions (most of which are free) but also gives regular talks from various artists and has regular film screenings. I love this place and can't recommend it enough.

A really close place near to Finchley road tube station. Lots of people go there regular just to meet people, have a chat and relax in the lovely café. The café is really nice, they do great coffee and healthy food. You feel the art vibe and no chavs anywhere near.

I have lived in the area for a few years now but only recently I stopped by here. "why haven't I been here before????" this was my first reaction. The place has big rooms which host always brilliant exhibitions on rotation (I have seen three so far). They also run cinema evenings and workshops/courses for kids/family but I have not yet checked them out though.