--- title: "10 SCHIRN Tips in London" date: 2018-09-11 last_modified: 2026-07-02T17:53:58+02:00 generated_at: 2026-07-04T11:01:54Z url: "https://www.schirn.de/en/schirnmag/10-schirn-tips-in-london/" description: "Off on holiday! London’s always a safe bet, so why not try something new, explore the southern neighbourhoods and go for a swim at Hampstead Heath?" image: "https://www.schirn.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hampstead-pond.jpg" language: "en-US" --- # 10 SCHIRN Tips in London # 10 SCHIRN Tips in London ![Calm lake surrounded by trees and beautiful houses, under a gray sky and autumn colors.](https://schirn.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hampstead-pond.jpg) 1 min reading time Off on holiday! London’s always a safe bet, so why not try something new, explore the southern neighbourhoods and go for a swim at Hampstead Heath? 1 ## Victoria & Albert Museum You don’t have to like the merchandizing of Frida Kahlo. Nevertheless, the exhibition “Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up” at the[ Victoria & Albert Museum](https://www.vam.ac.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOop1a_Lt1KnrggtdLyuIiINZ3PaPNz27grV4dcJGkbX0z70n5zh6) is definitely worth a visit. It’s the first time the artist’s personal belongings, especially her dresses (!), left her native Mexico and as they are already in Europe, what are you waiting for? They will be on show until November 4. ![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2022/07/18/10/43/04/93210fa1-89c5-4575-b304-9dbb75f340b7/640.jpg) Victoria & Albert Museum Image via [vam.ac.uk](https://www.vam.ac.uk/south-kensington) 2 ## Newport Street Gallery We recommend spending much more time in South London, where everything is more relaxed. For instance, at the [Newport Street Gallery](https://www.newportstreetgallery.com/) in Vauxhall, which opened in 2015. Gallerist Damien Hirst (yes, that Damien Hirst) had architects Caruso St John convert an old theater workshop into an exhibition venue for temporary presentations from his art collection. ![Facade of a modern building with brick-colored walls, large windows, and a striking graphic area.](https://schirn.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Newport-Street-Gallery_ML.jpg) Newport Street Gallery Photo: Marthe Lisson 3 ## A ship with a view After visiting the gallery, it is worth taking the short stroll to the Thames, where a brightly colored ship is moored, the Tamesis Dock. You can dream away the rest of the day there exploring several winding decks. Dangle your legs over the railing and watch the tide coming in or going out. Vauxhall Tower is to the west, and looking east you’ll see the Houses of Parliament (Big Ben is currently enveloped in scaffolding; there is always something covered up). Directly opposite, the Tate Britain peeks out through the trees. ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk5_uFZx1Yl8M4iTeeeRcd27Y6C_SE_bq_EnQa-10ReDI4gIGR8v3G8j6wIEQwmhuBVDOGTv3un247utZfzw-CSc5Ui4itibXhDNQDArvgUWbbMrg6KFTFPtCc5xGya6M7oUt_7MleuA/s640/tamesis-dock.jpg) The Tamesis Dock Image via [happeninglondon.co.uk](https://www.happeninglondon.co.uk/2018/05/all-aboard-tamesis-dock-on-albert.html) 4 ## An alternative to Hyde Park Summer in London is spent in the park. Although this year the English lawns are yellow and burnt, you can easily cover that over with a green picnic blanket. We stay in the south, welcome to Battersea Park – one of the most attractive parks in the city. There is a large lake where you can ride little boats. On the shore is the Pear Tree Café with open-air jazz concerts every Wednesday evening. The park has a peace pagoda, a subtropical garden, an English rose garden and winding paths through the woods. And you can sit on the picnic blanket and enjoy your Pimm’s Bowle, the Aperol Spritz of the North. ![A picturesque, sunlit forest path lined with trees and a fence, with autumn leaves scattered on the ground.](https://schirn.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Battersea-Park_ML.jpg) Battersea Park Photo: Marthe Lisson 5 ## Wild swimming in Hampstead Heath For anyone who is not content to just lounge around in the sun, there are plenty of great places to go swimming in London. Wild swimming, if you please. Therefore, we travel to North London, Hampstead Heath. The Heath has three large “ponds”: the Ladies’ Pond, the Men’s Pond and one for “Mixed Swimming.” Swimming surrounded by nature for a two-pound donation. What more do you want? ![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b047/live/fbc55500-a065-11f0-b2f9-dd258cdb2dcd.jpg.webp) Hampstead Pond Image via [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cderj6rx2neo) 6 ## South London Gallery From North to South London again: There is a real gem to be found between Camberwell and Peckham, namely the [South London Gallery](https://www.southlondongallery.org/) (SLG). Outside all Victorian architecture, inside international contemporary art. And behind the building is a small garden oasis with a café. Perfect for enjoying a cup of tea and delving into the guidebook once more after visiting the exhibition. The gallery’s extension building is set to open in September 2018, in the old Peckham fire station on the opposite side of the road. ![Historic building with red brick architecture, surrounded by trees and blue sky. Ideal for urban photography.](https://schirn.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SouthLondonGallery_Andy-Stagg.jpg) South London Gallery Photo: Marthe Lisson ![](https://www.southlondongallery.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2016GOG_04-1440x960.jpg) South London Gallery, Garten, 2016 Gabriel Orozco. Photo: Andy Stagg. Image via [southlondongallery.org](https://www.southlondongallery.org/exhibitions/gabriel-orozco-designed-garden/) 7 ## A taste of Persia in Peckham After our excursion to the SLG we take a wander through Peckham. All kinds of exotic culinary ingredients are on offer on the high street, but we sit down for a bite to eat in Persepolis: Authentic, delicious Persian cuisine at unbeatable prices. Persepolis is designed as a café, which you enter through the adjoining corner shop. Owner and chef Sally Butcher cooks so well that she has now published numerous cookbooks. ![](https://cdn.londonandpartners.com/asset/persepolis_the-shop-front-of-persepolis-image-courtesy-of-persepolis_03ba8e396ad067236c0a7039d5e85842.jpg) Persepolis Image via [visitlondon.com](https://www.visitlondon.com/de/sehen-und-erleben/ort/8919309-persepolis) 8 ## Some hours out of the city In summer it’s best to leave London for a while. Seafood lovers should head for the North Sea coast. The likes of us wish to see art of course and are therefore best advised to head for the [Pallant House Gallery](https://pallant.org.uk/) in Chichester. Its show “Virginia Woolf: An Exhibition Inspired by Her Writings” is on display until September 16, with works by 80 women artists from 1854 to the present day. ![](https://d16nu4imb304dm.cloudfront.net/uploads/2018/08/Laura-Knight-Dark-Pool-c-Estate-of-Laura-Knight-1590x1600.jpg) Dame Laura Knight, The Dark Pool (detail), 1908-1918, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle © The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2018. Image via [pallant.org.uk](https://pallant.org.uk/whats-on/virginia-woolf-an-exhibition-inspired-by-her-writings/) 9 ## Open House London For architecture enthusiasts, London literally opens its doors in late summer in a very special way. The annual [Open House Festival](https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/) is the world’s largest architecture festival. For one weekend, this year on September 22 and 23, over 800 buildings are open to the public that are usually off limits. They include private residences, government buildings, historical places and educational institutions. ![View of modern and historic architecture in a city street, with the striking glass pavilion in the background.](https://schirn.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Openhouse_ML.jpg) Open House London Photo: Marthe Lisson 10 ## Underground farewell It’s certainly not the only Prohibition-era speakeasy, but it’s definitely the best. For a sophisticated, cool way to round off your evening in London, head to the Nightjar, just a stone’s throw from Old Street station. In keeping with the era, it’s invisible from the outside, and the doorman only lets you into the basement if you’ve booked in advance. An inviting semi-darkness, the candlelight reflected off the metal coffered ceiling; you sip (Prohibition-era authentic) cocktails you never even dreamed of whilst sitting in a leather armchair, and lose yourself in the live jazz. ![](https://onthegrid.city/imager/s3_amazonaws_com/onthegrid.city/assets/grid/london/barbican-old-street/nightjar/Interior-3_299006722e285f47655d17d1c9136337.jpg) Nightjar Image via [onthegrid.city](https://onthegrid.city/london/barbican-old-street/nightjar)