Bethlem Gallery
Free contemporary art gallery at Bethlem Royal Hospital, showing work by artists who have experience of mental health services.
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About the museum
Bethlem Gallery is an independent visual arts charity founded in 1997. It is based in the grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital in Beckenham, in an Art Deco building that it shares with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind. The gallery works with artists, many of whom have used mental health services, and supports their professional development.
Its programme combines exhibitions, projects, commissions and creative activities. Besides its home gallery and studio space at Bethlem Royal Hospital, it also stages exhibitions at the Long Gallery at the Maudsley Hospital and at the ORTUS conference centre, and it commissions new public artworks.
The gallery receives core funding from the Maudsley Charity and in-kind support from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. It mainly shows artists who have had contact with the trust's services, and it describes its aim as making art an everyday practice and mental health an everyday conversation. The gallery is free and open to all.
Highlights
- Free contemporary art gallery in a listed Art Deco building
- Exhibitions by artists with experience of mental health services
- Shares the building with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind
- Gallery shop and walking trails through the hospital grounds
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Bethlem Gallery (charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free and there is no need to book. Donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The gallery shares its building with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind. The visit page states that free parking and disabled access are provided on the hospital grounds.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Eden Park station · 15-min walk
Nearest stations are Eden Park (15-minute walk or 5-minute ride on bus 356 towards Shirley), East Croydon and Bromley South (about 30 minutes by bus 119 or 198). The bus stop outside the main entrance is Bethlem Royal Hospital for bus 356 and Superloop route 5; buses 119 and 198 stop nearby on Wickham Road and bus 194 on Monks Orchard Road.
By car
Free parking
Free parking on the hospital grounds; turn from the A232 onto Monks Orchard Road, go through the hospital gates and up the drive, with parking on the right.
The gallery is directly in front of the main entrance, across the floral roundabout. Bicycle stands are opposite the gallery. what3words: cure.sample.famous.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Gallery shop (card payment preferred). Refreshments are available at the hospital site: the GUTS Cafe (card only) or the community centre (cash only).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Pre-booked groups can visit on Monday and Tuesday. The gallery also shows exhibitions off-site at the Long Gallery (Maudsley Hospital) and at the ORTUS conference centre. |
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