Coronavirus FAQs
London moves to Tier 3 of the government’s local restrictions from Wednesday 16 December. As an entertainment venue, Dulwich Picture Gallery must close for the time being. Please see our opening times for more information. Sign up to our emails to be the first to hear when we re-open.
What can I do during my visit?
Our major new exhibition, Unearthed: Photography’s Roots opened to the public on 8 December, along with a fresh presentation of our collection of world-class paintings. You can also see a new mural, The Grand Tour, by celebrated artist Sinta Tantra in our welcome hall. Tickets for Unearthed include access to all the above, and must be booked in advance of your visit.
Our gardens and takeaway café remain open to visitors, and from 8 December our shop will be open on-site to both ticket-holders and the general public. Stocked with a range of exciting products inspired by botany, nature and photography in honour of the Unearthed exhibition, it’s well worth a visit in its own right!
We are also fortunate to be surrounded by three acres of green space and our gardens offer the chance to explore the exterior of Sir John Soane’s iconic building, our Walking the dog sculpture by Peter Randall-Page, and our majestic trees. There is no need to book if you are only visiting the gardens.
Are there any changes to opening times or access?
We are trialling new opening times for the Gallery’s exhibition and collection, from 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday.
Tickets are allocated in fifteen minute timeslots, and you can enter the Gallery at any point within that timeslot. Please ensure you arrive on time. If you miss your timeslot it may not be possible to grant you entry to The Gallery. We also ask that you don’t arrive too early, to avoid queues and help us ensure social distancing at all times.
You can enter our grounds via the main entrance on College Road, or from our gardens entrance on Gallery Road. The Gallery Road car park entrance is closed except to visitors with access needs.
You will need to show your ticket once inside our welcome hall (through the main doors of The Gallery, facing College Road). Please have this ready on your mobile device or printed in advance.
You can access the gardens via the entrance on College Road, or via the pedestrian gate on Gallery Road. Please note there will be no access from the main Gallery Road gate. Find out more on our opening times and getting here pages.
Who can I visit with?
From 3 December, London will be in Tier 2 of the UK's coronavirus restrictions. This means we are only allowed to welcome visitors inside the Gallery as groups if they are from the same household or support bubble. Your group must keep a safe distance from others as you explore the collection and exhibition.
Groups of no more than 6 people from mixed households can meet up in our gardens and are welcome to order takeaway from our café, but you must not mix indoors and adhere to social distancing when outside.
What safety measures are in place?
Dulwich Picture Gallery has been awarded Good to Go status by Visit Britain as a Covid-secure venue. We are following all the safety and hygiene measures set out in the government's guidelines for museums and galleries and maintaining these to a high standard. Read details on our safety measures here. Please do not visit if you have any COVID-19 symptoms - this includes a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change in sense of taste or smell. See NHS guidelines if this applies to you.
What changes have you made to the café?
The café is only available for takeaway and is serving a selection of delicious sandwiches, cakes, hot and cold drinks, wines and beers. You are welcome to enjoy food and drink from the café at one of our outdoor tables in the gardens or off-site. The café is only accepting card payments at the moment. We ask that all visitors take their rubbish with them when they leave. You will need to check into The Gallery Café using NHS Test and Trace, even if you have already visited the Gallery. This supports the NHS Test and Trace service and is mandatory.
I just want to visit the shop – is that possible?
Yes, you’re welcome to visit the shop and you don’t need a ticket to do so. You can access the shop from our cloister, next to the Café. Follow the glass corridor round to the left, where you’ll see signs to the shop. Capacity is limited, so there may be a short wait before we can let you in.
Are the toilets open?
Yes, our toilets are open, and are subject to an enhanced cleaning regimen. Our toilets have reduced capacity, so there may be a queue. We ask that people are considerate of social distancing while using the facilities. Our hand dryers have been turned off to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and paper towels are now installed at our hand washing facilities.
Other FAQs
How can I help/support the Gallery?
This is a critical time for the Gallery’s future, particularly as we do not receive regular government or local authority funding. We rely on the generosity of our visitors to support this vital asset for the community. Every pound you spend with us makes a difference, whether it’s to buy a coffee in our café , a gift from our amazing shop, a Friends membership, or a donation. Your help is vital and always welcome.
What has the Gallery been doing during lockdown?
Thanks to the dedication of our staff we have been keeping as much going behind the scenes as possible. We have been busy making sure our gardens are ready to welcome visitors back as well as exploring virtual ways to engage with our exhibitions and collection. We have also taken this time to carry out essential maintenance, ensuring the fabric of the building is ready to welcome visitors back when we do reopen our indoor spaces.
Can I enquire about hosting an event at Dulwich Picture Gallery?
We welcome enquiries for events taking place from Spring 2021 and beyond. In the meantime you can download our current brochures for more information:
Download our Weddings brochure
Download our Event hire brochure
We hope this has helped you find the answer to your query. If not, you can email us at enquiries@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk and we’ll do our best to get back to you. If you are a Friend of the Gallery, you can find FAQs relating to your membership here, or email us at friends@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Updated on 30 November 2020
