National Portrait Gallery
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About National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of personalities and faces, from the late Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors come face to face with the people who have shaped British history from kings and queens to musicians and film stars. Artists featured range from Holbein to Hockney and the collection includes work across all media, from painting and sculpture to photography and video.

As well as the permanent displays, the National Portrait Gallery has a diverse programme of exhibitions and free events and a stunning rooftop restaurant with spectacular views across the London skyline.

Facilities

Opening Times Open daily 10.00am - 6.00pm Late night opening Thursday and Friday until 9.00pm. closed 24-26 December.
Booking and payment details Free

National Portrait Gallery Address

Address:
St Martins Place, London
London
WC2H 0HE
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7306 0055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7306 0056
Email:
Website: http://www.npg.org.uk

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Prices for National Portrait Gallery

Free except charges for special exhibitions.

 

Location Information for National Portrait Gallery

Address:
St Martins Place, London
London
WC2H 0HE
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7306 0055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7306 0056
Email:
Website: http://www.npg.org.uk
Public transport: Trafalgar Square
By Road: Follow signs for Trafalgar Square - next to National Gallery.

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Reviews of National Portrait Gallery

Visit London review of National Portrait Gallery

Reviewed by: Visit London
One of London's most impressive galleries, The National Portrait Gallery houses a huge collection of paintings and photographs of British men and women throughout the ages. From Tudor Kings and Queens to contemporary celebrities, it's like a who's who of famous faces! Families are always welcome and there is a full programme of free weekend and holiday activities for budding artists.
 

TripAdvisor ®

Traveller Rating:

4.0
Based on 8 reviews
Ranked #39

  Latest 5 reviews of National Portrait Gallery

Interesting gallery!

Very interesting place. Well worth a visit (and the admission is free). At the time we went there, there was a exhibition of BP Portrait Award 2009 and that was very good.

Very interesting place. Well worth a visit (and the admission is free). At the time we went there, there was a exhibition of BP Portrait Award 2009 and that was very good.

 
4.0
25 July 2009
by FINUK, Helsinki, Finland
 

Short trip through British history

I actually liked this better than the adjacent National Gallery. It's essentially an art museum for history buffs. You get to see thousands of portraits of all those famous Brits, from kings to poets...

I actually liked this better than the adjacent National Gallery. It's essentially an art museum for history buffs. You get to see thousands of portraits of all those famous Brits, from kings to poets to physicists throughout Britain's glorious and fascinating history. In a nutshell, it's a who's who of Britain, wrapped up in one museum.

There was also a bizarre but memorable temporary exhibition of various athletes (possibly gearing up for London 2012) during my visit. Inside, you'll find a bunch of athletes and olympians posing nude for AIDS awareness, including French footballer Thierry Henry, one of the Williams tennis sisters, and of course...wait for it.....Buffalo Bills wideout TERRELL "T.O." OWENS! There was also a downright creepy "portrait," which was a continuous loop of a video of David Beckham asleep.

Very much different from the National Gallery. I'd say the National Portrait Gallery is well worth a visit in its own right.

 
4.0
15 June 2009
by CarboriusJames, Denville, New Jersey
 

A true gem!

The National Portrait Gallery is just a stone´s throw from Trafalgar Square and houses a superb collection of portraits. A wonderful setting to while away a few hours - from the Bronte Sisters to...

The National Portrait Gallery is just a stone´s throw from Trafalgar Square and houses a superb collection of portraits. A wonderful setting to while away a few hours - from the Bronte Sisters to Jane Austen (tiny so do not blink or else you will miss it ;)), from George IV to Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I to the Duke of Wellington.....

Admission is free (there may be a charge for special exhibitions) and you can rest your feet at the Portrait Café and browse the gift or book shop.

Highly recommended!

 
5.0
15 April 2009
by Heyerette, Vienna, Austria
 

Wonderful way to spend a few hours

This free gallery is well set-out and is a wonderful way to spend a relaxed few hours in the busy capital. You can travel through the ages, viewing royalty, politicians or Damon from Blur. Simply...

This free gallery is well set-out and is a wonderful way to spend a relaxed few hours in the busy capital.

You can travel through the ages, viewing royalty, politicians or Damon from Blur.

Simply my favourite gallery of a wide and excellent choice in London, not to be missed.

 
5.0
22 February 2009
by Riotstar, Barnstaple, North Devon
 

Lovely Stop for an Afternoon of History

Just spent several hours enjoying the National Portrain Gallery. This is a great place to gain a comprehensive look of the Kings and Queens of England, along with other notable historical figures. I...

Just spent several hours enjoying the National Portrain Gallery. This is a great place to gain a comprehensive look of the Kings and Queens of England, along with other notable historical figures. I suggest starting on the top, then moving down, which follows the flow of the years in which they were painted. Two important hints that the guidebooks won't tell you. Don't get the audio tour- while it is very informative and has some nice voice clips and background information, it isn't necessary. There is sufficient information next to each portrait to have an idea of the person's significance. Secondly, don't miss the only portrait of Jane Austen, which is quite easy to skip. It is tiny, and in a poorly lit case (to protect it from the light). I saw many people walk right by it without noticing, only looking at the larger portraits on the walls. To find the current locations of this portrait, and some of the other famous ones, either look it up beforehand on the web, or look it up on the computers at the museum- the map will not tell you!

 
5.0
25 February 2007
by Nikara, Los Angeles, California
 

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