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Art Gallery Trail
Route facts
Waterways:
Regent's Canal »
Distance: 3.98 miles / 6.4 km
Duration: By bike: Approx. three hours including gallery visit times. On foot: Approx. two hours plus gallery visit times
Difficulty: Easy
Starts at: Angel Tube
Ends at: Limehouse Gallery
The East End has the highest concentration of artists in Europe, who started coming to the area in search of affordable studio space.
30 years ago the centre of the capital's art world was firmly anchored in Cork Street, W1. Then some artists and entrepreneurial curators started running their own galleries in the East End, (looking for alternatives to the establishment) and other galleries followed them. They were not only in search of lower rents, but also of large, exciting spaces to accommodate the ever-expanding canvases and experimental, cutting edge work being produced by their artists.
You can visit the many studios and galleries on bike or by foot.
Waypoints
From Angel tube head north along Upper Street and turn right into Duncan Street.
Easting: 531474, Northing: 183254
2. Angel tube to Wharf Road Galleries
At the end if you are on foot, cross Colebrooke Row and join the towpath as it emerges from Islington Tunnel below you. If cycling turn right at the end of Duncan Street then left down Vincent Terrace. Turn left at the mini roundabout and right down onto the towpath just after crossing the bridge. Continue east along the towpath past City Road Lock and Basin and leave the canal at Wharf Road bridge to visit the Wharf Road galleries.
Easting: 532088, Northing: 183272
3. Wharf Road Galleries to Regent's Studios
Retrace your steps back to the towpath and continue, passing the Towpath cafe and Acton's Lock. Just after Acton's Lock, leave the towpath up to Broadway Market. Cross over to Andrews Road, home to several artists'studios and galleries within Regent's Studios.
Easting: 534656, Northing: 183555
4. Regent's Studios to Vyner Street Studios
At the end of Andrews Road, cross Mare Street onto Vyner Street, which has many galleries.
Easting: 534956, Northing: 183531
5. Vyner Street Studios to Mile End Art Pavilion
Head back to Mare Street and rejoin the towpath to continue the trail past Victoria Park and on to Mile End. Take a detour here to the Chisenhale Gallery on Chisenhale Road and then re-enter the park to visit Mile End Park Art Pavilion, which hosts regular exhibitions.
Easting: 536217, Northing: 182531
