National Gallery London

You will definitely want to visit the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery during your vacation in London

Entrance to the National Gallery at dusk
Entrance to the National Gallery at dusk cc licensed photo by ** Maurice **

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: No

National 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 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating One of our favourite places in London. We enjoy wandering through the galleries, taking in the beauty, creativity and extraordinary range of artistic talent on display. The collection is remarkable, spanning different periods, styles and cultures, with something new to discover on every visit. We have occasionally used the audio guides, which provide helpful background and context. However, I have sometimes found that the narrators miss the intended meaning behind certain works, particularly religious paintings, where the Gospel message or biblical context is not always fully understood or accurately interpreted. Even so, the National Gallery remains a wonderful place to spend a few hours, whether you are an art enthusiast or simply appreciate beauty, history and human creativity.
Janet van Aswegen - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Entrance is free. There is a lift. And occasionally a few steps from one wing to another. Several great works of art. Some work from Monet that I hadn’t seen before. Also, Picasso’s sunflowers and Surat. Vermeer’s famous piece. NOTE: Sunflowers are currently on loan to Philadelphia until October 2026! If you need to sit once in awhile and are experiencing the benches are always full, make sure to pick up a foldable seat to carry with you! They are located at the entrance of the wings. There is a statue of George Washington in the front of the building on Trafalgar Square. The base of the statue has American soil from Virginia in it.
Annie Galindo - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Here’s a polished review you can use for the National Gallery, London, based on your National Gallery, London - A Must Visit for Art & History Lovers . Seeing centuries of art and history in one place is incredible. The collection is full of beautiful paintings and there’s so much interesting artwork to take in, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh. Stubbs’ Whistlejacket his portrait of a horse is absolutely stunning in person. The gallery is well set up for a full day out. There are cafes to recharge and plenty of places to rest as you walk around. You can book a guide if you want more context, or just wander at your own pace. Admission is Free for the main collection. Special exhibitions may charge. You can pre-book tickets or pay on the day. Families-The Roden Centre for Creative Learning runs family activities, and sketching your own portrait is great fun for all ages. Accessibility- Disabled friendly and easy to get around. Whether you’re there to study the Old Masters or just soak in the beauty, it’s a calm, inspiring space. Highly recommend.
TimeIsEssence - 4 months ago

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5 Star Rating I absolutely loved this museum. Everything is organized so thoughtfully: there is enough space around the famous artworks, and even on a Sunday afternoon it didn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded. You can calmly stand in front of the paintings, see the brushstrokes, and truly enjoy the art. I also really appreciated the lighting. It is arranged so well that on most paintings you barely notice any reflections from the protective glass. I originally came to see Water-Lilies, but I ended up completely captivated by The Execution of Lady Jane Grey and even started crying. 💔 This painting gives you chills. Especially when you realize that it portrays a 17-year-old girl just moments before her execution. Please take a moment to read a little about her story and spend some time in front of the painting. You will feel so many emotions. 🥀
Anna Ashurov - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating A must see gallery for art lovers! Great collections of world-famous paintings from different periods (Caravaggio, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet, Renoir, Sorolla, Picasso, Raphael, Van Gogh...) The museum has permanent galleries which are free to enter, for temporary exhibitions you have to buy ticket. Galleries are so well organized, you can spend simply hours here, it's huge, there are seating areas to give a break which you may need, restrooms are clean, there are restaurants, bars and cafés within the museum.
Arzu Aktayli - 2 months ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Northern and Piccadilly LinesLeicester Square3 Minutes
Bakerloo LineCharing Cross4 Minutes
District and Circle LinesEmbankment8 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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