14 MAY 2025 – Preview Day

Opening hours 1pm to 9pm. No re-entry.

To purchase tickets over the phone, customers can call the following number 0333 320 2836.

Lines are open between 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun and Bank Holidays.

For group bookings of more than 10 tickets, please contact Somerset House at visitor@somersethouse.org.uk

 

All tickets include access to the Fair plus access to all special exhibitions. Children under 13 and a disabled companion go free. Preview Day tickets permit access to Photo London on either Preview Day (from 1pm) or any other Public Day (from 11am). No re-entry.

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Private Tours

Photo London VIP Tours are led by photography specialists including critics, curators, and teachers and are tailored to the interests of each group.

They are an excellent opportunity to discover new photography, be introduced to gallerists from across the world, and experience the fair alongside a knowledgeable guide.

Private Tours are £250 for an hour-long tour for up to 15 people.

For enquiries please email tours@photolondon.org

 

Arrange Your Private Tour Now

Please note Photo London VIP Tour tickets do not include admission to the Fair. Day Pass tickets can be purchased here.

Talks Programme

The 2025 Talks Programme will present a compelling line-up of speakers for Photo London’s tenth edition. Curated by Thames & Hudson, with contributions from Photo London partners Nikon and FT Weekend, this year’s programme will offer unique insights from some of the most exciting voices in photography.

Full details will be announced ahead of the Fair, with lively talks, debates, and discussions designed to broaden – and deepen – your understanding of the medium.

Public Talks require registration through the ticketing platform. More details will be announced soon.

Please note: Photo London Public Talks tickets do not include admission to the Fair. You must purchase a Day Pass ticket in order to register for a Talk ticket on the same day as the Talk is taking place.

London Lives: A Celebration of the City Through Photography

As part of Photo London’s tenth anniversary, the special exhibition ‘London Lives’ will take over the Embankment East and West Galleries at Somerset House, presenting a striking collection of photographic responses to the city. Curated by critic and author Francis Hodgson, the exhibition brings together work from around 30 leading image-makers, each offering their own perspective on London’s dynamic character and visual history.

The show features work from renowned photographers including David Bailey, James Barnor, Antony Cairns, Jamie Hawkesworth, Hannah Starkey, Es Devlin, Joy Gregory, Nadav Kander, Idris Khan, Rut Blees Luxemburg, Christian Marclay, Mary McCartney, Simon Roberts, Mitra Tabrizian, and Nick Turpin. Alongside these established voices, the exhibition will also unveil new commissions from Heather Agyepong, Jermaine Francis, and Hannah Hughes, with their work set to be published exclusively in FT Magazine, reinforcing Photo London’s longstanding partnership with FT Weekend.

Reflecting on the significance of the exhibition, Hodgson describes it as both a tribute to the city and to the photographers who have long drawn inspiration from it.

“Photo London has ruled over London from its great palace on the Thames for a few days every spring. As we celebrate its tenth anniversary, we wanted to honour the city itself—its people, its stories, its ever-evolving identity. London, like all the truly great cities in the world, has something of everything, and people from everywhere. Call it a melting pot if you want; we simply call it London Lives.”

With its mix of established names, contemporary perspectives, and newly commissioned work, ‘London Lives’ is a powerful testament to the city’s visual and cultural richness—an essential part of this year’s fair.

Book Signings

An exciting programme of book signings with today’s most distinguished photographers takes place throughout the Fair.

Check our Public Programme section for book signings, details will be available soon.

When is Photo London?

Photo London is an annual event, usually held in May in London. The tenth edition of Photo London will take place between 15–18 May 2025, with Preview Day on 14 May. See our Visiting page for opening hours and more details.

How do I get to Photo London?

Photo London 2025 will be held at Somerset House in central London. Somerset House is accessible by public transport, taxi, coach, car, and bicycle. Please see our Visiting page to plan your journey via London Underground, rail, or bus.

How do I get a ticket for the Fair?

Tickets for Photo London 2025 are available on our Tickets page. For group bookings of more than 10 tickets, please contact Somerset House at visitor@somersethouse.org.uk.

General admission tickets for the Fair are only valid for the day(s) you book them. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Concession rates are available for full-time students and disabled visitors, with complimentary tickets for carers/companions.

Can I leave and re-enter the fair on the same day with a day ticket?

Re-entry is not allowed with day tickets. Weekend passes allow you to visit on both Saturday and Sunday, but same-day re-entry is not permitted.

Where can I eat and drink at Photo London?

Photo London offers places to eat and drink within the Fair at Somerset House.

Can I keep my bag with me?

For the safety of the artwork exhibited at Photo London, large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the Fair. The following items must be checked into the Photo London cloakroom:

• Backpacks of any size
• Bags/cases on wheels
• Bags larger than an A3 tote bag
• Multiple bags per person

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, Photo London provides a cloakroom.

Can I bring a camera with me?

Cameras with telephoto lenses and/or tripods are not allowed inside Photo London without a Camera Pass. Those without a Camera Pass must leave their equipment with telephoto lenses and tripods in the cloakroom. Cameras without a telephoto lens or tripod can be brought into Photo London.

Camera Passes are for press only and will be communicated directly with accredited press.

Can I visit with children?

Children are welcome. Children under 13 enter for free.

Is the site fully accessible?

All areas of Somerset House are accessible via designated routes. Please note that the entrance from the Strand and the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court feature cobblestone paving, with a flat pavement around the edges.

For full accessibility details, including parking for Blue Badge holders, please visit Somerset House’s accessibility page.

I am disabled. Does my companion need to purchase a ticket?

Companions of disabled visitors receive a complimentary ticket, which must be booked in advance on our Tickets page.

Can I visit with my pet?

Animals are only permitted in the courtyard. Access to indoor areas is restricted to guide dogs only.

Can I bring food and drinks with me?

Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the Fair.

Do you have gender-neutral toilets?

Somerset House provides gender-neutral toilets in most areas, except in the New Wing.

I am traveling to visit Photo London. Where can I stay?

Photo London is pleased to offer exhibitors, guests, and visitors a selection of elegant and prestigious hotels, all located in central London and within a short distance of Somerset House.

The tenth edition of Photo London will take place at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA, between 15–18 May 2025, with a Preview Day on 14 May.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Photo London 2025 are available on our Tickets Page. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and special offers from Photo London directly to your inbox.

Book your ticket now on our Tickets Page.

Opening Times

• Wednesday 14 May: 13:00–21:00 (Preview Day) – No re-entry
• Thursday 15 May: 13:00–20:00 – No re-entry
• Friday 16 May: 13:00–20:00 – No re-entry
• Saturday 17 May: 12:00–20:00 – No re-entry
• Sunday 18 May: 12:00–18:00 – No re-entry

Security

Security checks will be conducted at the entrance to the Fair. All visitors are required to present their ticket upon entry but may move freely between the halls without needing to show their ticket again.

Bag Policy

For the safety of the artwork exhibited at Photo London, large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the Fair. The following items must be checked into the Photo London cloakroom:

• Backpacks of any size
• Bags/cases on wheels
• Bags larger than an A3 tote bag
• Multiple bags per person

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, Photo London provides a cloakroom.

Can I bring a camera with me?

Cameras with telephoto lenses and/or tripods are not allowed inside Photo London. Cameras without a telephoto lens or tripod may be brought into the Fair.

Camera Passes are for press only and will be communicated directly with accredited press.

Eating & Drinking

Photo London offers places to eat and drink within the Fair at Somerset House.

Public Transport

Use the Transport for London (TfL) Journey Planner to find the best route to Somerset House.

By London Underground

Nearest stations:

• Temple (Circle & District lines) – 250m, 5-minute walk
• Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) – 650m, 8-minute walk
• Charing Cross (Bakerloo & Northern lines) – 700m, 10-minute walk
• Embankment (Circle & District lines) – 700m, 10-minute walk

By Rail

Nearest stations:

• Charing Cross – 700m, 10-minute walk
• Blackfriars – 1km, 13-minute walk
• Waterloo – 1km, 13-minute walk

By Bus

The following bus routes stop within 100–200 metres of Somerset House:
1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1, and X68.

By River

River Bus Services RB1, RB2, and RB6 stop at Embankment Pier, approximately 600 metres from Somerset House.

By Bicycle

There are bike stands on the Strand, Aldwych, and Victoria Embankment, near Somerset House. Please note:

• There is no bike parking in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court or within Somerset House itself.
• Bikes attached to buildings or railings will be removed.
• Several Santander Cycles docking stations are located near Somerset House.

By Car

• No car parking is available at Somerset House.
• The nearest car park is on Parker Street, WC2B 5NT.
• Somerset House sits within the Congestion Charge zone.
• Blue Badge holders can find accessible parking details on Somerset House’s Accessibility page.

By Coach

A coach parking bay is available on Victoria Embankment.

Book Your Stay in London

Photo London is delighted to offer exhibitors, guests, and visitors a selection of elegant and prestigious hotels, all conveniently located in central London and a short distance from Somerset House.