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
Very crowded even at the end of September. Tickets are free but highly recommend that you go on line and get an appointment time and skip forward to the front of queue.
There are any number of tours going on, as well as school groups camped in front of a painting, just walk around them and look at the painting they are sketching. The instructor does seem to mind.
Trina Schneider - a week ago
Quite disappointed because the most iconic pieces of the gallery were gone to another exhibition across the country. Although I was upset, I still appreciated all the other artworks and exhibits available. The rooms are quite confusing and there are very few maps available so you might find yourself going into the same rooms over and over. I visited for about 2h, it was enough, I would read and spend a little more time looking at the paintings that got me more interested. But if you’re truly an art aficionado you could easily spend all day there.
Daniel Abalaseii - a month ago
The National Gallery is an incredibly clean and well-maintained museum, offering a wide array of must-see artworks. From Renaissance masterpieces to Impressionist gems, the collection is truly impressive. It’s a place where you can easily spend hours exploring the rich history of art. If you’re visiting London, this museum should definitely be on your list of things not to miss. The experience of seeing these iconic pieces up close is unforgettable, making it a highlight of any trip to the city. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a casual visitor, the National Gallery offers something for everyone.
Fatma Tandogan Yildiz - a month ago
A tourist must-go museum🤣 with many historical paintings if you like fine art and drawings, you’ll find it fascinating. It’s always nice to read into the details of the paintings and how the artist presented the work with different brush strokes.
Lam Wing Sum - a week ago
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! And FREE.
What an incredible experience, and I only made it through 1 floor of paintings. Still missed so much to see. Wish I'd had more time to see the rest of National Gallery.
A museum on my Bucket List for years.
Have fun!
Reserve your entrance ticket time in advance because the que/entrance line is ridiculously long.
Excellent help, and assistance for best way tackle this very large museum. Easily understood why National Favorite.
Rebekah Mae - 2 weeks 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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Photo Credit: George M. Groutas - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Francisco Anzola - cc license via Flickr -
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Photo Credit: George M. Groutas - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: stusmith_uk - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ianonline - cc license via Flickr
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