Ada Street Gallery is a small gallery space, moments from the picturesque Broadway Market, although…read morethe gallery is in a rather unsightly industrial estate. There are two units that can be rented out either individually or together, for the purpose of exhibiting local artists, as a project space, photography or film location, or an event space. The location, and proximity to Vyner Street (the heart of the East London art scene) means Ada is suitable for all of the above. A friend of mine had a show here recently, and it's a really nice space in a wonderful East End location. It is suitable for professional and up and coming artists to use, and their private views are always good fun.

Ada gallery is a small gallery just off Broadway Market in Hackney. There are two spaces which…read morecan be hired together or individually. The upstairs is fairly small but has a projection room and big windows so the space has lots of natural light. Downstairs is much larger than upstairs and with its exposed brick walls and bare concrete floor, it has more of a rough feel to it. I've seen some good shows there, and the private views can be busy, especially in the summer when it turns into a bit of a party along with the locals. The artists who rent the space can show whatever they want, so the exhibitions are varied, up and coming artists, first year students and professionals intermix. It may not have the professional feel of some of the more well known east end galleries, but sometimes the shows put on by struggling art students can be more interesting anyway. If it's not your cup of tea, find out when the private view is and drop by for the free booze!

Hollybush Gardens is a contemporary art gallery which used to be located at Hollybush Gardens in…read moreBethnal Green. Retaining the former address' charming name it has since moved to a backyard in Clerkenwell. The current exhibition by David Panos includes video and sculpture. The abstract and conceptiual pieces work well against the gallery's bare brick walls. Great art in great surroundings.

Promoting some of the first institutional solo exhibitions in the UK and further supporting artists…read morefrom all over the world, I decided to give this small museum a quick visit and was fairly impressed. However, if you are looking for something more substantial, or plan on making an all-day visit I would suggest making some amends as this exhibition is quite small and it is difficult to avoid the feeling that its room capacity not be as long-lasting as you would like, although its public display of works of art or items of interest, held create a fantastic art gallery or museum or trade fair.

Took me long enough to visit the Arts Centre, about a block away from where home is, and the place…read moreis absolutely gorgeous with a spot on balance of charm and modern gallery space. There are rotating exhibits but as the other reviewers have stated, the building and setting takes the cake. In the "Frognal" neighborhood, there are places here that make you feel like you are in a beautiful green suburb instead of smack down in Zone 2 only a few miles from Baker Streeet, Regents Park and good old Central London. Definitely better option if you want to spend a day enjoying the beautiful British Weather in the Cafe or safely shielded from the rain watching the world through glass walls! Free entry to the Gallery, not open on Monday!

The Gasworks Gallery is a great little exhibition space in Kennington that shows a mixture of new…read moreemerging artists and more established names. It's an intimate space with consistently good shows that often have an international leaning. This is due to the residency and fellowship programmes that they run throughout the year. I thoroughly recommend a visit.

This light contemporary space in West Smithfield is attractive with its floor to ceiling glass…read morewindow front, allowing the art to be seen from across the street. There was work 15 living artists when I visited, all from Barcelona, and there was a predominantly 'street art feel' to the exhibition. However the shows change every couple of weeks and the gallery does not specialise in any one particular style of artwork. It was totally unintimidating and although my friend and I were the only two in there, we felt at ease taking our time around the room. It is nice place to pop in when passing by, and to enjoy a creative talent of living artists without needing to dedicate a whole morning or day to doing so.

This gallery for hire is a well appointed space to the north (City-side) of Smithfield Market. Very…read morenear Farringdon Station (and actually not too far from Barbican or St Paul's Tube stations), it's nearby a handful of excellent restaurants, cafes and pubs ... as well as some interesting sites such as St Bartholew's Church and, of course, Smithfield Market. The lighting is awesome (surprisingly, this isn't always the case in London galleries) and the exhibition space is open and "vanilla" enough for any variety of shows to slide in and set up. I was there recently for the awesome Barcelona XL: Homage to Catalonia (http://ontolondon.blogspot.com/2008/12/barcelona-xl-spanish-street-art-at.html) street art exhibition. I was really blown away by that show and felt that the gallery was perfect for displaying the exhibition's different artists and their varying styles. It wasn's my first time to the Smithfield Gallery but it was the catalyst which will now ensure I keep better track of what' s on there.

Ever fancied owning a piece of original art? Well, here's your chance, by popping along (May 16-18)…read moreto the annual Battersea Contemporary Art Fair. Now in its sixteenth year, this is the largest artists' fair in the UK, and features over 150 artists from the UK and overseas, selling paintings, photographs, sculptures and prints directly to the public (ie with no commission - saving up to 40%). I went there a few years ago with my partner's cousin, who was exhibiting her photography there. The venue is part of the Old Town Hall complex, and is about ten minutes' walk from Clapham Junction station. It is a little pricey to get in, but the range and quantity of art on display is impressive. Not every stall will take your fancy though - some of it is very mainstream, others very eclectic, so it depends on your taste. As well as straightforward art, there are artists who specialise in painting things like your pet's portrait, if you are so moved. But there's bound to be something that takes your fancy. Unfortunately for me, I seem to be born with expensive tastes: rather than the stuff around £40, I seem drawn like a bee to a honey pot to the stuff in the £4,000 bracket. I don't know if this means I have good taste, or just an eye for the commercially popular. My other half and I eventually bought a photographic print for around £90. Refreshments are available, and there's a jazz band playing during the Friday evening reception.

Orginally named Battersea town hall then to Battersea arts Centre now contemporary art Fair i used…read moreto do volentry work there in the canteen when i was younger you can see live bands and proforming arts plus drama plays they used to run classes for children such as tap dancing , ballet and potery and have fates outside to raise money for certain charitys inside the place itself is a small bookstore with plenty of good books to buy and postcards, there are many works of art on show and to buy all in all it is a fun time looking around so if you like any kind of art this is a great place to visit.

This is a large contemporary gallery, originally set in the City of London, it has occupied it's…read morecurrent location in this stunning Great Marlborough Street building since 2002. The gallery has a really nice, professional feel, i think it's one of the nicest in the West End. The gallery represents some fantastic artists; particularly Amikam Toren who is a wonderful talent,. Check their website for their listings and up and coming exhibitions, and if you find yourself in the West End feeling arty then this should satisfy your thirst.

What a charming environment for showing art! I had come across Gallery 286 by chance and a visit…read moreto this private exhibition space in Earls Court has been the highlight of the year so far. I had only recently come across the term "ego-seum" and while I dislike the word itself I just love the idea of collectors opening their homes to fellow art lovers. Gallery 286 has a lovely old-fashioned museum feel to it which provides a lovely backdrop for the art on display. I was fascinated with the current "Light Art" show which includes mind-blowing kinetic works by Andrew Ryder in the main reception room and a selection of holograms in the downstairs gallery - the main consignment of works by Dora Tass and August Muth was delayed in customs, but the selection of pieces from Jonathan Ross's (no, not Wossy) personal collection were equally fascinating. I was particularly lucky to get a chance to chat to both the host and a couple of artists - a truly enlightening evening.