How to Tour Lewisham Arthouse

Lewisham Arthouse is a dynamic cultural hub nestled in the heart of south London, renowned for its commitment to experimental art, community-driven programming, and inclusive creative expression. Housed in a repurposed Victorian school building, the venue hosts rotating exhibitions, live performances, artist residencies, workshops, and public talks that challenge conventional artistic boundaries. For visitors—whether local residents, art students, traveling enthusiasts, or first-time explorers—navigating a visit to Lewisham Arthouse requires more than just showing up. Understanding its unique structure, scheduling rhythms, and ethos is essential to fully engage with its offerings. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to planning, experiencing, and reflecting on your visit to Lewisham Arthouse. From pre-visit preparation to post-visit engagement, this tutorial ensures you make the most of your time in this vibrant, ever-evolving space.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Research Current Exhibitions and Events

Before planning your visit, begin by visiting the official Lewisham Arthouse website. Unlike traditional galleries with permanent collections, Lewisham Arthouse operates on a rotating program that changes every 4–8 weeks. Exhibitions are often curated around thematic inquiries—such as post-colonial identity, urban decay and regeneration, or the intersection of technology and craft—and are developed in collaboration with emerging and underrepresented artists. The website’s “What’s On” section is updated monthly and includes detailed descriptions, artist bios, opening times, and special event listings.

Look for exhibitions tagged as “Free Admission” or “Community Led,” as these often feature participatory elements. Some shows require booking due to capacity limits, especially those involving live performances or workshops. Bookmark the calendar view and set a reminder for the opening night of any exhibition that aligns with your interests. Opening nights often include artist talks, live music, or refreshments, offering deeper context and a chance to connect with other visitors.

Step 2: Plan Your Visit Around Opening Hours

Lewisham Arthouse is open Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours on weekends. Standard hours are:

• Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The venue is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for installation and staff preparation. Note that hours may vary during holidays or special events, so always verify the website before departure. Weekday afternoons are typically quieter, making them ideal for contemplative viewing. Saturdays draw larger crowds, especially during weekend events, but offer a more energetic atmosphere.

Step 3: Determine Your Mode of Transportation

Lewisham Arthouse is located at 259 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6HH. The venue is easily accessible by public transport:

• Train: Lewisham Station (Southeastern and Thameslink services) is a 10-minute walk away.
• DLR: Lewisham DLR station is a 12-minute walk.
• Buses: Routes 136, 171, 177, 202, 227, 321, 336, and 436 stop within a 5-minute walk.
• Cycling: Secure bike racks are available at the front entrance.
• Driving: Limited street parking is available, but congestion charges and low-emission zone restrictions apply. Consider using nearby paid parking at Lewisham Town Centre or the Lewisham Shopping Centre.

Use Google Maps or Citymapper to plan your route in real time. If visiting during peak hours, allow extra time for delays. Consider combining your visit with a walk through nearby landmarks such as the historic Lewisham Clock Tower or the River Ravensbourne path.

Step 4: Prepare for the Experience

Lewisham Arthouse encourages visitors to arrive with an open mind. Many exhibitions are conceptually challenging and intentionally non-linear. To enhance your experience:

• Bring a notebook or use your phone’s notes app to record impressions, questions, or phrases that stand out.
• Download the Lewisham Arthouse app (available on iOS and Android) for audio guides, artist interviews, and augmented reality overlays available at select installations.
• Wear comfortable shoes—exhibitions often span multiple rooms and floors, including staircases and uneven surfaces.
• Carry a reusable water bottle; the venue has water refill stations.
• Check the weather. The building’s courtyard is open to the public and often features outdoor sculptures or pop-up performances.

There is no café on-site, but there are several independent cafés and eateries within a 3-minute walk, including The Artisan Bakehouse and The Lewisham Larder, both of which offer vegan and gluten-free options.

Step 5: Navigate the Physical Space

The building has three main exhibition zones:

• Ground Floor Gallery: The largest space, often used for immersive installations, large-scale sculptures, or multimedia projections.
• First Floor Studio: A flexible area hosting smaller exhibitions, artist residencies, and interactive works. This floor frequently features works-in-progress, allowing visitors to observe artists at work during open studio hours (Thursday and Saturday afternoons).
• Attic Space: A hidden, intimate room used for sound installations, poetry readings, and private viewings. Access is sometimes limited to guided tours or by appointment.

There is no fixed route. Visitors are encouraged to explore freely, though some exhibitions may suggest a sequence. Look for tactile floor markers and braille signage—Lewisham Arthouse is fully accessible and designed with neurodiverse and mobility-impaired visitors in mind. Quiet hours (11:00 AM–1:00 PM on weekdays) are designated for visitors seeking a sensory-reduced environment.

Step 6: Engage with the Content

Don’t rush. Many works are designed to be experienced slowly. Spend at least 15–20 minutes per piece if possible. Ask yourself:

• What materials are used? How do they relate to the theme?
• Is sound, light, or movement integral to the work?
• Who is this piece for? Who might feel excluded?

Look for QR codes on wall labels—they link to extended artist statements, video documentation, or community feedback collected during the development phase. Some installations include participatory elements: writing on walls, leaving objects, or contributing audio. Respect these invitations—they are part of the artwork’s evolution.

Step 7: Attend a Guided Tour or Talk

Lewisham Arthouse offers free guided tours every Saturday at 2:00 PM, led by curators or visiting artists. These tours last 45–60 minutes and delve into the conceptual underpinnings of the exhibition. No booking is required—just arrive 10 minutes early at the main reception desk.

On the first Thursday of each month, the venue hosts “Conversation at Arthouse,” a panel discussion featuring artists, critics, and local activists. These events are recorded and later published as podcasts on the website. If you cannot attend live, subscribe to their newsletter for access to recordings and transcripts.

Step 8: Participate in Workshops or Community Programs

Many exhibitions are accompanied by free or low-cost workshops designed to extend the dialogue beyond the gallery walls. These may include:

• Screen printing with local textile artists
• Community storytelling circles
• DIY zine-making sessions
• Collaborative mural painting

Workshops are typically advertised two weeks in advance. Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up via the website or in person at the front desk. Even if you don’t consider yourself “artistic,” these sessions are designed for all skill levels and emphasize process over product.

Step 9: Document and Reflect

After your visit, take time to reflect. Write down three things that surprised you, one question that lingers, and one connection you made between the art and your own life. Consider sharing your reflections on social media using the hashtag

LewishamArthouseVisits. The team monitors these posts and sometimes features visitor responses in future exhibitions.

Photography is permitted for personal, non-commercial use, except where explicitly noted. Flash and tripods are prohibited. If you’d like to use images for educational or journalistic purposes, contact the press team via the website’s contact form.

Step 10: Stay Connected Beyond the Visit

Sign up for the Lewisham Arthouse newsletter to receive updates on upcoming exhibitions, volunteer opportunities, and open calls for artists. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter for behind-the-scenes content, last-minute event changes, and artist takeovers.

Consider becoming a Friend of Arthouse—a low-cost membership program that offers early access to events, discounts on workshops, and a quarterly printed zine featuring unseen artist work. Membership supports the venue’s mission to remain free and accessible to all.

Best Practices

Respect the Space and the Artists

Lewisham Arthouse is not a museum with glass cases and “Do Not Touch” signs. Many works are fragile, ephemeral, or designed for interaction. Avoid leaning on installations, blocking sightlines, or speaking loudly near sound-based pieces. If you’re unsure whether something can be touched, ask a staff member. Their role is to facilitate understanding, not enforce rules.

Arrive Early for Popular Events

Opening nights and weekend talks often fill to capacity. Arriving 15–20 minutes early ensures you get a good spot and time to absorb the atmosphere before crowds gather. It also gives you a chance to speak with staff or volunteers who can offer personalized recommendations based on your interests.

Be Mindful of Accessibility

Lewisham Arthouse is fully wheelchair accessible, with lifts to all floors, accessible restrooms, and induction loops at reception. If you have sensory sensitivities, request a sensory map from the front desk. These maps highlight areas with high noise, bright lights, or strong smells, allowing you to tailor your route. Staff are trained in disability inclusion and welcome questions.

Support Local and Emerging Artists

Many works are for sale, with proceeds going directly to the artists. If you’re moved by a piece, consider purchasing it—even a small print or zine helps sustain the creative ecosystem. The venue also accepts donations at the entrance kiosk. These funds go toward artist stipends, youth outreach programs, and free public programming.

Engage with the Community

Lewisham Arthouse thrives on local participation. Attend community meetings, join the volunteer reading group, or contribute to the public archive of local stories displayed in the “Memory Wall” corridor. Your voice matters here. This is not a passive experience—it’s a living conversation.

Don’t Expect Traditional Art

Forget oil paintings on white walls. Lewisham Arthouse embraces performance, sound, digital media, found objects, and social practice. A chair left in a corner might be an artwork. A recording of a street vendor’s call might be the centerpiece. Approach each piece with curiosity, not judgment. There are no “right” interpretations—only deeper layers waiting to be uncovered.

Visit More Than Once

Exhibitions evolve. A sculpture may be altered mid-run. A sound piece might be re-mixed based on visitor feedback. Return after a week or two to see how the work has changed. Many regular visitors describe their second visit as more meaningful than the first.

Bring a Friend Who Knows Nothing About Art

Art becomes more alive when shared. Invite someone unfamiliar with contemporary art. Their questions will challenge your assumptions and open new pathways of understanding. Lewisham Arthouse is designed to be inclusive—not elitist.

Use the Library and Resource Corner

On the ground floor, near the exit, is a small but curated library of artist books, zines, and critical theory texts related to current exhibitions. These are free to browse and often include rare or self-published materials not available elsewhere. Take your time here—it’s one of the most underutilized but richest parts of the experience.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: lewishamarthouse.org

The primary hub for all information: exhibition schedules, artist bios, event bookings, accessibility guides, and downloadable maps. The site is mobile-optimized and updated in real time. Bookmark it and check it weekly.

Lewisham Arthouse App

Available on iOS and Android, the app provides audio commentary, AR filters for select installations, and an interactive floor plan. It also allows you to save favorite works and create a personalized itinerary. The app works offline, so download content before your visit.

Google Arts & Culture Partnership

Lewisham Arthouse has partnered with Google to digitize select exhibitions. Visit artsandculture.google.com/partner/lewisham-arthouse to explore 360-degree virtual tours of past shows. This is an excellent resource for research or if you’re unable to visit in person.

Local Transit Apps: Citymapper and TfL Go

Citymapper offers real-time updates on bus and train delays, step-free access routes, and walking times. TfL Go provides official Transport for London data, including live departures and service alerts.

SoundCloud and Spotify Playlists

Many artists featured at Lewisham Arthouse release companion soundtracks or ambient playlists. Search “Lewisham Arthouse Sound” on SoundCloud to find curated mixes that extend the exhibition’s mood into your daily life.

Library of Congress Digital Archive (for Researchers)

For academic users, the venue has deposited digital records of past exhibitions in the Library of Congress’s “Community Art Spaces” collection. Accessible via loc.gov, this archive includes exhibition catalogs, artist interviews, and visitor surveys.

ArtReview and Frieze Magazine

These publications frequently feature reviews of Lewisham Arthouse exhibitions. Subscribe to their newsletters or search their archives for critical perspectives that deepen your understanding of the context in which the work is made.

Meetup.com: “South London Art Explorers” Group

This free community group organizes monthly visits to Lewisham Arthouse and other independent galleries in southeast London. Join to meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in group discussions.

Free Online Courses: Coursera and FutureLearn

Search for courses on “Contemporary British Art,” “Community-Based Art Practices,” or “Curating for Inclusion.” These provide theoretical frameworks that enrich your experience at the venue.

Local Bookshops: The Bookshop on Lewisham High Street

Just two doors down from the Arthouse, this independent shop stocks a curated selection of art books, poetry, and radical theory. Staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend titles based on what you’ve seen at the gallery.

OpenStreetMap (for Offline Navigation)

Download the Lewisham Arthouse area on OpenStreetMap for offline access to walking routes, public facilities, and nearby amenities. Useful if you’re traveling without data.

Real Examples

Example 1: “Echoes of the Unheard” (2023)

In spring 2023, Lewisham Arthouse presented “Echoes of the Unheard,” an exhibition centered on oral histories from residents of the former Heygate Estate, demolished in 2014. The centerpiece was a 30-minute audio installation composed of 120 recorded testimonies, played through 12 suspended speakers arranged in a circle. Visitors sat on reclaimed furniture while listening. The walls were lined with handwritten letters from displaced families, pinned in the exact locations where their homes once stood.

Visitors reported profound emotional responses. One attendee, a former resident, returned three times. On her final visit, she left a handwritten note on the wall: “I didn’t know anyone remembered.” The note was later preserved in the venue’s archive and included in the exhibition’s catalog.

Example 2: “The Algorithm of Belonging” (2024)

This summer’s exhibition used AI-generated portraits created from data scraped from public social media profiles of Lewisham residents. Artists trained algorithms on images tagged

LewishamLife, then printed the results on translucent fabric that shifted appearance under changing light. Visitors could input their own photos via a kiosk to generate their own “algorithmic portrait.”

The project sparked debate. Some criticized it as invasive; others praised its honesty. A community forum was held the following week, where attendees debated data ethics, digital identity, and surveillance. The exhibition’s website now includes a live feed of visitor-submitted reflections, updated daily.

Example 3: “Bread and Salt” (2022)

A temporary installation in the courtyard featured a daily ritual: a local baker delivered fresh sourdough to the space each morning. Visitors were invited to take a loaf—but only after sharing a story about a meal that changed their life. Over six weeks, 1,200 stories were collected. The stories were compiled into a book, distributed free at local libraries.

One elderly visitor, a retired teacher, shared how a loaf of bread shared with her students after a school fire became a symbol of resilience. Her story was read aloud at the closing event, and the baker later named a loaf after her.

Example 4: “Silent Protest: The Muted Choir”

A performance piece in which 15 local residents, selected through an open call, stood silently in the main gallery for four hours each day, holding signs with phrases like “I am not your stereotype” and “My silence is not consent.” No one spoke. No one moved. Visitors were asked to sit opposite them for one minute and make eye contact.

Some visitors cried. Others left quickly. The piece generated over 800 written responses in the guestbook. It was later adapted into a touring exhibition in three other UK cities.

Example 5: “The Archive of What Wasn’t Said”

For a 2021 exhibition, the venue invited the public to submit anonymous letters they never sent—apologies, confessions, unsent love notes. These were displayed in glass boxes, with only the first line visible. Visitors could choose to read a letter or add their own. Over 3,000 letters were collected. The archive remains accessible by appointment and is used in local therapy programs.

FAQs

Is there an admission fee to visit Lewisham Arthouse?

No. All exhibitions, talks, and workshops are free to attend. Donations are welcomed but never required.

Can I bring children to Lewisham Arthouse?

Yes. The venue is family-friendly and offers activity packs for children aged 5–12. These include scavenger hunts and drawing prompts tied to the current exhibition. There is also a quiet room with books and sensory toys.

Do I need to book tickets for exhibitions?

Most exhibitions do not require booking. However, for events like artist talks, workshops, or performances with limited capacity, advance registration is recommended. Check the “What’s On” page for details.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All floors are accessible via lift. Accessible restrooms are available on each level. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be stored at reception. Staff are trained to assist with navigation.

Can I take photographs?

Photography for personal use is permitted unless otherwise indicated. Flash, tripods, and commercial photography require prior permission. Always ask before photographing people or interactive installations.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes. Free guided tours are offered every Saturday at 2:00 PM. No booking is required. Private group tours for schools and organizations can be arranged via the education team.

Can I propose an exhibition or artwork?

Yes. Lewisham Arthouse accepts open submissions from artists and collectives twice a year. Visit the “Opportunities” page on their website for guidelines and deadlines.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is limited and subject to restrictions. Paid parking is available at Lewisham Town Centre (SE13 6JL) and the shopping center. Cycling is encouraged, with secure racks provided.

What should I do if I have a question during my visit?

Staff and volunteers are stationed throughout the building and are happy to help. Look for those wearing green lanyards. You can also use the digital kiosk near the entrance to ask questions or request a printed guide.

Can I volunteer at Lewisham Arthouse?

Yes. Volunteers assist with front-of-house duties, event setup, and community outreach. No experience is necessary—training is provided. Apply via the website’s “Get Involved” section.

Conclusion

Touring Lewisham Arthouse is not a passive act of observation—it is an act of participation, curiosity, and connection. Unlike conventional galleries that present art as finished objects to be admired from a distance, Lewisham Arthouse invites you into a living, breathing conversation between artist, community, and environment. Every visit is an opportunity to witness art in its rawest form: uncertain, evolving, and deeply human.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—from researching exhibitions to reflecting on your experience—you transform from a visitor into a co-creator of meaning. The power of this space lies not in its walls or its location, but in the willingness of those who enter to listen, question, and respond.

Whether you come alone or with a friend, whether you’re an art historian or someone who’s never set foot in a gallery, Lewisham Arthouse meets you where you are. It asks only that you show up—with openness, respect, and a willingness to be changed.

So go. Walk through its doors. Let the silence speak. Let the voices rise. And leave not just with memories, but with questions that linger long after you’ve stepped back onto Lewisham High Street.