26. Newport Street Gallery
Best for: Damian Hirst’s private collection in Vauxhall
In a terrace of former theatre-set-painting studios, Newport Street Gallery has been reimagined by Caruso St John architects into a huge gallery that is home to Damien Hirst’s private art collection. He’s been collecting since the late 1980s; it’s vast. Works by fellow YBAs – including Tracy Emin, Gavin Turk and Sarah Lucas – as well as Bacon, Picasso, Jeff Koons, Banksy and many more, fill six exhibition spaces. There’s also taxidermy (obviously) and natural history specimens. Exhibitions change around, and all are free.
Address: Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall SE11
Website: newportstreetgallery.com
27. Mudlarking
Best for: treasure-hunting in the Thames
In the 18th century, poor people scraped together a living from what they found in British stinking mud banks. Now London’s metropolitan liberal elite are taking it up as the most fun you can have on Sunday morning, poking around the Thames’ riverbanks at low tide with the vague notion of discovering some jilted lover’s engagement ring. Experienced mudlark and Condé Nast Traveller Chief Sub-Editor Rick Jordan has some tips: ‘My favourite mudlarking spot is just down from the Millennium Bridge, with the Shard rising upriver like a space ship. Check the tide times, and take some disposable gloves, but not a spade – digging’s against the spirit of mudlarking: it’s what you find on the surface.’
28. Poplar Union
Best for: poplist arthouse happenings
Poplar Union is a thriving arts hub, which, in addition to its ticketed cultural events, puts on a number of free activitiets each month. These include screenings of old and new films in its Pop-Corn Presents series; popular seasonal scratch nights showcasing works-in-progress by up-and-coming writers, performers and poets; and regular Live in the Library music sessions.
Address: Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London E14 6TL
Website: poplarunion.com