The Photographers’ Gallery is a photography museum and exhibition space on Ramillies Street in Soho, just off Oxford Street. Opened in 1971, it was the UK’s first public gallery devoted to photography. Exhibitions bring together work by emerging and established photographers, historical images and archival material, with shows often inviting comparisons across place, identity and time. Allow time to browse the bookshop for photobooks, zines, cameras and film. There is also a café, a print sales space and an outdoor photography display in nearby Ramillies Place.
A gallery devoted to photography
The Photographers’ Gallery opened in 1971 as the first public gallery in the UK dedicated solely to photography. Its early home was a tea shop in Covent Garden. The gallery later moved to Ramillies Street in Soho, into a former textiles warehouse near Oxford Street.
Photography remains the focus, across contemporary work, historical images and archival material. Exhibitions have presented artists including Martin Parr, Juergen Teller and Taryn Simon, as well as photographers whose work was less familiar to British audiences. The programme also includes talks and events, and the gallery founded the annual Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize.
How the exhibitions are arranged
The gallery occupies a tall, six-storey building, with exhibition spaces spread across multiple floors. The vertical layout means a visit involves moving between galleries rather than following one level. Shows can bring different bodies of work together, giving you room to compare how photographers approach subjects such as history, geography and identity.
Past exhibitions have included photographs alongside contact sheets, books, magazines, film and other archival material. The programme changes, so check what is on before visiting if you have a particular artist or subject in mind. Some displays have focused on established photographers; others have brought attention to emerging artists and under-represented work.
The shop and spaces nearby
The gallery’s independent bookshop stocks photobooks, zines, journals, cameras, film, cards and gifts. It is a useful stop if an exhibition leaves you wanting to explore an artist’s work further or try photography yourself. The gallery also has a print sales space and a café for a break between exhibitions.
Outside, Ramillies Place has been used as an open-air exhibition space for photography. It gives the gallery’s programme a presence beyond the indoor displays. The building’s compact, multi-level layout can feel maze-like, so allow time to find your way between floors and spaces.
Perguntas frequentes
Is The Photographers’ Gallery free to visit?
Entry is free on Fridays after 5pm. The supplied information does not specify the admission price at other times.
How long should I spend at The Photographers’ Gallery?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to see the exhibitions and browse the bookshop.
Where is The Photographers’ Gallery?
It is at 16-18 Ramillies Street in Soho, just off Oxford Street.
Does The Photographers’ Gallery have a bookshop and café?
Yes. The bookshop sells photobooks, zines, journals, cameras and film, and the gallery has a café.
