Looking forward to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition London? So are we.
Every summer, the Royal Academy transforms into one of London’s most entertaining cultural spectacles. You’ll find paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, film and installations packed into every available space. Some works will move you. Others will puzzle you. A few will make you laugh out loud.
That’s part of the fun.
Unlike most exhibitions, this isn’t a carefully curated retrospective devoted to a single artist. Instead, professional artists exhibit alongside complete unknowns, creating a glorious mixture of brilliance, eccentricity and occasional madness.
If you’re planning a visit, here are my favourite tips for getting the most out of it.
1. Become a Royal Academy Member
If you visit London galleries regularly, membership is worth considering.
Not only do members get free entry to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition but they can also come and go throughout the day and revisit the exhibition as often as they like. Better still, membership includes access to the Academy’s paid exhibitions throughout the year.
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition London can be overwhelming on a single visit, so the ability to return is a genuine advantage.
2. Allow More Time Than You Think
Most first-time visitors underestimate the size of the exhibition.
You will need at least two hours for a reasonable visit. Three hours is even better if you enjoy browsing slowly or reading labels.
With around 2,000 works on display, this is not an exhibition to rush.
3. Go With an Open Mind
Don’t try to decide whether the exhibition is “good” or “bad”.
Instead, look for one or two pieces in each room that genuinely resonate with you. Some rooms will leave you cold, while others may contain works you’ll remember for years.
The exhibition becomes much more enjoyable when you stop trying to judge it as a whole.
4. Expect the Unexpected
One of the great pleasures of the Summer Exhibition is its sheer unpredictability.
Over the years, I’ve seen art school tutors standing in front of exhibits laughing, debating and trying to work out what on earth the artist was thinking.
If a piece confuses you, don’t worry. You’re probably not alone.
5. Look Up — and Down
Many visitors focus only on eye-level works.
That is a mistake.
The Academy hangs art salon-style, meaning excellent pieces are often positioned high above doorways or close to floor level. Some of the best discoveries are hidden in plain sight.
6. Spot the Famous Names
Keep an eye out for works by Royal Academicians and well-known contemporary artists.
You’ll often find pieces by artists such as Tracey Emin mixed in among works by students, hobbyists and emerging talents.
Part of the excitement is not always knowing which is which.
A public transit bus leaves from outside the Royal Academy and takes you to the best tourist spots in London. Check out our post on the £2 London Red Bus Tour No One Tells You About.
7. Take a Break in the Keeper’s House
The Summer Exhibition is a visual marathon.
Fortunately, members have access to the beautiful Keeper’s House, tucked beside the main entrance. It offers a much calmer atmosphere than the public café and serves drinks, coffee, cakes, sandwiches and light meals.
If your eyes start glazing over, retreat there for twenty minutes before continuing.
8. Learn About the Room Curators
Each room is curated by a different artist or academician.
Their names appear near the entrance, and a quick search on your phone can reveal a great deal about their artistic interests and influences.
Once you know what they do, their choices often make much more sense.
9. Use the Benches Strategically
The benches aren’t there simply for resting.
Many are positioned to provide the best viewing angle in the room. Sit down for a few minutes and you’ll often notice details you missed while walking around.
10. Buy the Catalogue
If you’re even remotely tempted to buy a piece, purchase the catalogue.
It contains the artist’s name, the title, medium and price of every work. Bring a pen and mark anything that catches your eye as you go.
Trust me—you won’t remember the details later.
If you love the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, you will also love our piece on free art galleries in London.
11. Watch the Red Dots
Those little red stickers tell an interesting story.
A single red dot means the piece has sold. Multiple dots usually indicate a limited edition work with several copies available.
It’s fascinating to see which pieces collectors have snapped up.
12. Visit Early If You’re Buying
Many works cost less than £250, making the exhibition surprisingly accessible for first-time collectors.
The most affordable and popular pieces often sell quickly, so visit early in the exhibition if you’re hoping to buy.
Members’ preview days offer the best selection.
13. Take Lots of Photos
Photography is permitted throughout the exhibition.
Capture individual works, but don’t forget the bigger picture. The crowded walls, colourful rooms and grand architecture all help tell the story of the exhibition.
The central staircase is particularly photogenic.
14. Use the Exhibition for Inspiration
Even if you never intend to buy a piece, the exhibition is a masterclass in creativity.
Sometimes you’ll admire extraordinary technical skill. Other times you’ll find yourself thinking, “I wish I’d thought of that.”
Bring a notebook and jot down ideas as you go.
15. Pace Yourself
Most visitors spend too much time in the opening galleries.
As a result, they reach the final rooms exhausted.
That is unfortunate because the later galleries often contain some of the most interesting work, including the large-scale installation that traditionally occupies the final space.
Consider moving briskly through the first few rooms and saving your energy for the end.
Bonus Tip: Combine It With a Mayfair Day Out
The Royal Academy sits in one of London’s most elegant neighbourhoods.
After your visit, browse the food halls at Fortnum & Mason, enjoy coffee in St James’s, or cross the road to The Wolseley for dessert.
Art and cake have always been natural companions.
Speaking of cake, this is where we think you should go after the Royal Academy Exhibition
Final Thoughts on the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition London
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is one of the few places where a complete unknown can hang beside an established artist, and where brilliance, eccentricity and outright absurdity coexist happily under one roof.
Most importantly, don’t dress like you’re popping into Tesco.
This is the Summer Exhibition.
Wear something fabulous, channel your inner artist, and enjoy being part of one of London’s great summer traditions.
