Fall Art Fairs in London

With so many museums and galleries, it’s always a good time for art in London—but there’s no better time than fall for art fairs. A conveniently located New York Habitat vacation rental in London is the perfect place for you to stay while you do your part to support the arts.

The Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park is London’s biggest and sets the standard for all other art fairs in town. Running from October 15-18, Frieze will feature—along with local and international gallery stalls—a crash-landing sculpture, an in-house artist photographing visitors, and another artist making “knock-offs” of well-known works. Look for the huge tents in Regent’s Park for all the artistic action—but be warned that there is an admission fee.

Zoo is an art fair showcasing twenty-one different galleries and a dozen limited-edition print stalls, selling work that starts at a wallet-friendly £10. If you’re more interested in looking than buying, check out the central exhibit on psychedelia. Taking place from October 16-19 on Old Street, in the happening Shoreditch section of London, Zoo also has a champagne bar on hand.

Pavilion is an up-market art fair that focuses on interiors and design. Though there is an admission fee, the works on show span over 150 years of artistic design, so it’s well worth the price. Pavilion takes place from October 14-18 at Berkeley Square in Mayfair.

Finally, the Free Art Fair (from October 12-18 at the Barbican Centre) is just what it sounds like: All of the various art works on display are given away for free on the final day of the show. You must bring an entry form with you to take part in the lottery; if they call your name, you get to pick the piece you want. (See www.freeartfair.com for details.) This show is both a labor of love from the artists and a favorite of those who appreciate the idea of making art accessible to all. However, this year is rumored to be the last, so catch it while you can. The centre is located in the famous City, a neighborhood offering plenty of convenient and cozy accommodations.

For some affordable, well-designed places to stay amidst all the art fair frenzy, consider the following New York Habitat flats in London:

• An eclectically decorated 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Shoreditch, Hackney (LN-573) near Old Street station. This funky second-floor flat has three double beds (including a sofa bed), so it can easily sleep six. Located in the site of a former furniture and frame factory built around the turn of the century, the apartment has maintained some original features (such as double warehouse doors), as well as adding modern amenities, like a balcony, laundry, and a dining table that seats fourteen!

• A spacious 1-bedroom vacation rental in Fitzrovia, Westminster (LN-775) on the second floor of a modern building with elevators, centrally located near Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations. This rental comes with a double bed, laundry, a large, lovely kitchen, and plenty of natural light.

This fall in London, it’s easy to appreciate the arts—and the amazing apartments that New York Habitat has to offer. Let us know which art fair you’d most like to attend with a comment below.