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- Both National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are praised by expert reviewers. On balance, National Gallery ranks slightly better than National Portrait Gallery. National Gallery comes in at 95 with recommendations from 9 sources such as Michelin Guide, Afar Magazine and Travel + Leisure.
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40,668 reviews. #1 of 2,721 things to do in London. Art Museums. Open now. 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Write a review. About. The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge.
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- Attraction
- Trafalgar Square, London
The National Gallery is free to visit. Booking is recommended. Open daily 10am–6pm and Friday until 9pm (Closed 24–26 December and 1 January) Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Ways to visit. Free exhibitions are included with Gallery entry. Members enjoy more. Join today to see all our exhibitions first. And for free.
- National Gallery: The Practical Bits
- Who Should Visit The National Gallery?
- Overview of The National Gallery
- National Gallery Store
- National Gallery Cafe
- Is The National Gallery The Same as The National Portrait Gallery?
- Upcoming Temporary Exhibitions
Before we take a glimpse into the inside of the National Gallery, let’s talk about the whos, whats, and wheres so you have an idea where you’re going and how you’ll get there.
Unlike some other London attractions that are “good for all ages,” this is an art gallery. There are a few activities they have for the kids to go around the galleries with, but nothing that is going to turn an art gallery into paradise for, say, a toddler. For this one, I’d say anyone with late elementary school aged and up would be a perfect fit ...
The National Gallery opened to the public in 1824 in a different location than the one we know today and has a fascinating history. For instance, during World War II, the artwork was actually evacuated to various sites in Wales to protect it from attacks on London. Today, the gallery is located in the Wilkins Building, the main façade that now towe...
The store at the National Gallery is excellent, with everything from books on creativity to merchandise depicting the art and actually faces of your favorite artists. As far as art galleries go in London, it probably has the best store, and is a great place to shop for souvenirs for art lovers back home.
The National Gallery has two eateries: the National Cafe and The Espresso Bar. The National Cafe is one of the best cafes in all of London’s museums and attractions because it’s not so much a cafe as it is a casual restaurant, with a deli-style buffet. You can easily get a really nice lunch here and sit in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy. Quic...
The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are not the same. The National Portrait Gallery does adjoin the National Gallery, but it is a separate art gallery and is only focused on, well, portraits! The National Portrait Gallery is closed until Spring of 2023, so for now the National Gallery is the only option of the two anyway, but even wh...
- Know When To Make (Free) Reservations. Some of my favorite memories of visiting the National Gallery involve me popping in for just 20 minutes or so (often just to escape a brief rain shower).
- Make A Friday Night Out Of It. The National Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but on Fridays it is open until 9 p.m. I don’t know about everyone else, but I always feel like I should be doing something on a Friday night (you know, something other than hanging out in my hotel room and watching reruns of CSI, which I do maintain is a valuable travel activity).
- Follow These Routes For No Headaches. Far be it for me to criticize the layout of any art gallery (cough, cough, Louvre), but many seem to be set up to herd visitors into one or two prominent rooms where the “star” artwork is kept, leaving other areas quite neglected.
- Take The Free Tours. If you’re able to plan your National Gallery visit for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoon, you’re in for a treat. This is when the gallery traditionally offers free 1-hour tours showcasing highlights of their collection.
- Sandro Botticelli, Venus and Mars. Botticelli was the greatest painter of the early Renaissance period in Florence. His art represents the pinnacle of the golden age of Florence’s Medici dynasty.
- Jan van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait. Contrary to popular belief, the Renaissance didn’t just happen in Florence. It was happening simultaneously in Northern Europe.
- Paolo Uccello, Battle of San Romano. A student of the Italian sculptor Ghiberti (of Gates of Paradise fame), Uccello was a product of the International Gothic style.
- Piero della Francesca, The Baptism of Christ. Piero is a genius and foundational artist of the Quattrocento or early Renaissance. In his time, he was revered as a monarch.
40,668 reviews. #1 of 2,721 things to do in London. Art Museums. Open now. 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Write a review. About. The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge.
United Kingdom. England. London. Review: National Gallery. The grandmother of all galleries set in Trafalgar Square. Reviewed by Laura Goulden. Zoom out. What’s this place all about? A secret spot...
