National Gallery London
You will definitely want to visit the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery during your vacation in London
Founded in 1824, the National Gallery in London features a great collection of over 2300 Western European paintings which date as far back as the middle of the 13th century.
The National Gallery began with a collection of paintings purchased by the British government from the estate of art patron John Julius Angerstein. At that time the collection was located in his former townhouse on Pall Mall. The collection outgrew this location and was moved to the current location at Trafalgar Square in 1838. Over the years several wings have been added to the gallery to keep up with the growing collection.
Adjoining the National Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery where visitors can view portraits of famous and historically significant people of Great Britain. This gallery opened in 1856 and was relocated to it's present location at Trafalgar Square in 1896. Over the years the gallery has had two expansions. The Portrait Gallery also features the Portrait Restaurant offering Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with views of the surrounding area.
The permanent collections of art in both Galleries belong to the people of the United Kingdom and therefore admission is free with the exception of any special rotating exhibits.
The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and until 9 pm on Friday (Thursday and Friday for the Portrait Gallery) except on December 24-26th.
For more information about the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery as well as exhibitions and hours visit their official website links below.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoNational Gallery London Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK
Phone: 020 7747 2885
Official Website: National Gallery London
National Gallery London Reviews
Rated out of 5
It was wonderful seeing all the real Masters artwork, however many of them I did not know, but some of the more famous Masters work was great to see. It's a huge museum with many rooms and a small map to carry around would be useful.
David Lubin - 3 weeks ago
Can easily walk through it in a day without problems and they have a decent amount of paintings. No statues so do know that but the paintings are well selected. They also have a nice cafe with a good menu as well. For a free museum it’s a delightful experience to visit.
Delphine Thornton - a month ago
Loved visiting this museum in London. It had one of my childhood favorite, Sunflowers. This is free to visit and if you go to their website before your visit you can get tickets. There isn’t a charge for doing this and you won’t have to wait in line. We arrived Saturday morning around 10 and waited about 30 minutes.
Tara Dowd - a week ago
Amazing collection and immense. It's FREE, so why would anyone miss a visit while you're in London?
Even if you only have time for the highlights, they have an amazing website highlighting the must see works. Whether you're a novice or art lover, it's worthy of your time, short or long,to visit the National Gallery.
Tim Russell - a month ago
The National Gallery of London offers an incredible array of artworks, showcasing the talents of masters like Monet, Rousseau, and Van Gogh. The fact that admission is free is truly remarkable, allowing anyone to appreciate these masterpieces without financial barriers. While tickets aren't required, the option to make a donation supports the gallery's ongoing efforts. Overall, it provides a great experience for art enthusiasts and visitors alike.
Konstantina L - a month ago
Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northern and Piccadilly Lines | Leicester Square | 3 Minutes |
| Bakerloo Line | Charing Cross | 4 Minutes |
| District and Circle Lines | Embankment | 8 Minutes |
How to get to National Gallery London by Tube
From Leicester Square Station walk south along Charing Cross Road.
From Charing Cross Station take the Trafalgar Square Exit.
From Embankment Station head northwest along Villiers Street then left on Strand and slight right on Duncannon Street.
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Photo Gallery
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Inside the National Portrait Gallery of London cc licensed photo by David Holt -
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