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London is home to some of the world’s most exceptional national art collections, open to the public for free. But it also boasts a host of eclectic small art galleries in quieter corners of the city. Take a detour from the big museums with Culture Trip’s guide to some of the capital’s quirkiest galleries.
The vaults beneath St Pancras Parish Church have taken on a variety of roles over the centuries. They were used as burial grounds from 1822 and 1854 to combat the overcrowding of village graveyards, and later as an air-raid shelter in both World Wars. In 2002 this underground space was transformed into a contemporary arts venue named The Crypt Gallery, which you can visit today. Enter through the bright-red door on Dukes road and explore the collections, curated to provoke contemplation.
This article was revised by Freire Barnes and Holly Black in January 2019.