Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025
Dates: 17 June – 17 August 2025
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London
The Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy has been held every year without interruption since 1769. That’s over 250 years of open submission, controversy, conversation, and the sheer pleasure of seeing new work on the walls. In 2025, it returns once again to Burlington House in Piccadilly, bringing with it a fresh mix of established names, unexpected entries, and the Royal Academicians’ own curated selections.
For collectors, patrons, and art-aware visitors, it’s more than just an exhibition — it’s a tradition with staying power, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe. And while London’s West End is always within reach, those with tight schedules or coming in from abroad often choose to make their arrival by private jet or helicopter — a practical, time-saving option that keeps the focus on the experience itself, rather than the logistics.
What Makes the Summer Exhibition Different
Unlike most major art exhibitions, the Summer Exhibition doesn’t rely on a retrospective or a single headline artist to carry its draw. Instead, it offers a dense, often surprising visual survey of what’s happening in contemporary art right now — painting, sculpture, print, photography, film, and architectural models, all mixed together.
This approach is part of its appeal. Anyone can submit their work, and a panel of Royal Academicians selects from thousands of entries. It means you’ll see pieces by Turner Prize winners next to unknowns. Some will provoke, others charm — all are for sale. For collectors, it’s a chance to discover and acquire something off the usual circuit.
Each year has a theme and a coordinator — a leading artist or academician who sets the tone. In 2025, the theme is dialogues – promoting sensitivity towards societal issues like ecology, survival, and living together
The mood across the rooms changes with every turn — one minute you’re in the calm of a white-walled drawing room, the next in a riot of colour and scale in the Wohl Central Hall. This deliberate unpredictability keeps even regular visitors on their toes.
Getting There by Air
If you’re coming in from outside London — or from overseas — the combination of private jet and/or helicopter makes for a direct and flexible route into the heart of the capital.
Closest Airports
London City Airport (EGLC) is the most centrally located option. It’s under 30 minutes by car to Burlington House, with minimal fuss through its private terminal. For short-hop flights and international arrivals into the UK, it’s often the most time-efficient option.
Farnborough Airport (EGLF), while further out, is a dedicated business aviation airport. Its facilities are exceptional, and transfer into central London can be arranged via chauffeured car or helicopter. If you’re travelling on a larger jet, this may be the most practical choice.
Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB) is another solid option with excellent privacy, swift turnaround times, and helicopter connections into Battersea.
Helicopter Transfer
From Farnborough or Biggin Hill, a helicopter ride to London Heliport in Battersea takes less than 15 minutes. From there, it’s a short drive to Piccadilly, especially useful if you’re planning a same-day return or combining the visit with other London engagements.
What to Expect at the RA
The exhibition runs through a carefully arranged series of rooms, each one hung “salon-style” with works stretching floor to ceiling. If you’re unfamiliar with the RA’s layout, it’s easy to think you’ve reached the end halfway through — but there’s always another room around the corner.
For those interested in buying, red dots on the wall show what’s already sold. Sales are brisk, especially early in the season, so it’s worth securing an invitation to one of the preview days or becoming a Friend of the RA for priority access. Purchases can be arranged on-site, and works are available for collection once the show closes in August.
You’ll also find special installations in the Annenberg Courtyard and the RA Schools show running concurrently — a chance to see new graduates’ work before it hits the wider market.
Beyond the Exhibition
Lunch at the RA’s in-house restaurant is a strong option, but Mayfair’s galleries and dining rooms are just steps away. Many visitors tie their visit to a broader day of collecting, meeting dealers, or seeing other exhibitions across town.
Nearby galleries in Cork Street, Savile Row, and Fitzrovia often coordinate their shows to coincide with the Summer Exhibition, knowing that collectors and curators will be in town. It’s also Frieze run-up season, with early positioning and previews starting to emerge across the city by late August.
For those staying over, Claridge’s, Brown’s, and The Connaught offer quiet luxury within easy walking or driving distance. Alternatively, many visitors treat this as a day trip — flying in early, viewing the exhibition, acquiring what they need, and returning home the same evening.
Booking and Access
Tickets go on sale to the public from mid-May, but corporate hospitality, private tours, and artist-led walkthroughs can be arranged in advance through the RA’s Patron or Corporate Membership schemes. Early morning access is available on selected days, which can be useful if you want to view the work in a quieter setting before the general public arrives.
A Different Kind of Crowd
You’ll see well-dressed artists, collectors making notes, curators pacing the walls, and occasionally, celebrities who know the difference between a Moore and a Miro.
For clients who appreciate art for its own sake — and have little time for the performative side of the market — the Summer Exhibition remains a worthwhile stop. It’s a reminder that not everything needs to be branded, streamed, or spotlighted to be of value. You just need to show up.