National Gallery London

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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 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

Regular 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

Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 The National Gallery Star Rating

I had a great time exploring the National Gallery in London. The variety of artists and their works on display is truly impressive. Each artwork has its own story, and I found myself getting completely absorbed, feeling inspired by the creativity and history around me. I easily spent an hour just wandering, looking at the paintings, and reading about them. There's so much to see that I could have spent even longer there. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for a culturally enriching experience, the National Gallery is definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is great for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in art and get a glimpse of different eras and styles. Highly recommended for a fulfilling and inspiring visit!
Story & Motion - 11 days ago

Very good range of course of high-end classical art in a beautiful building. Free entry but book a time beforehand for easy access. Make a list of what you want to see and 'hunt them down' over 3 hours as it's a big place!
Andy Jackson - 8 days ago

Tickets are free to enter the museum so I would definitely recommend booking in advance- I am so glad we did because the walk-in queue was very long and seemed to move slowly! There was a calm and quiet ambience in the gallery and plenty of amazing paintings to fill you with awe. The gallery is clean. There are toilets down on the lower level as well as a cafe with a reasonable amount of seating. Definitely worth a visit.
Dee P - 18 days ago

An amazing gallery. There were many well-known paintings, such as Sunflowers by Van Gogh, but there was also a wide variety of lesser known but just as beautiful paintings. The building itself was beautiful as well. And it’s free as well, so you get to visit centuries worth of art history without spending a dime. Definitely worth a visit if it’s your first visit to London.
sarah sarah.aufranc26 - 18 days ago

We came with tickets in advance with no bags so we go through security quickly. Highly recommend reserving your time in advance. Many of the masters and I really appreciate it seem Monets.
Beth “Ask Betty” Fine - 3 days ago

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