The National Gallery's collection has had three homes since its inception, with its current iconic Trafalgar Square building, designed by William Wilkins, being the third. Notably, Wilkins was also the architect behind several prestigious Cambridge colleges.
DIRECTORY
National Gallery
The National Gallery, located in Trafalgar Square, London, is an art museum built in 1824. It is home to over 2300 paintings from the 13th century through to the 20th century. With over 6 million visitors a year, the National Gallery is the sixth most visited art museum in the world. Private donations account for two-thirds of museum’s entire collection.
During the early 20th century, an agricultural crisis plagued the nation, causing many rich families to sell their art collections. Outpriced by American buyers, the British charity 'National Art Collections Fund' was founded to combat the flow of artworks heading to the United States.
In 1914, a National Gallery painting (the Rokeby Venus) deemed offensive to women, was damaged by Suffragette activists in protest of the arrest of Emmeline Pankhurst. Following attacks resulted in the National Gallery being shut until the start of World War One, when the Suffragettes called for an end to violence to defeat the Central Powers.
World War Two saw the gallery’s paintings evacuated to Wales to avoid German bombing. Plans had actually been devised in 1938, one year before the war broke out, in anticipation of the event. The National Gallery was undamaged during the Blitz, and the paintings were returned after the war. Soon later, air-conditioning was implemented to ensure the paintings don’t come to harm.
Undoubtedly, the gallery’s piece de resistance is Vincent Van Gogh’s 'Sunflowers'. But the National Gallery isn’t just home to paintings. Several sculptures from King James II, to Greek heroes, and even George Washington can be viewed at the museum.
Admission to the National Gallery is free. If you love world-class art, the National Gallery is a must visit.
Address and Contact Details
Address: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Telephone: 020 7747 2885
Email: Send email
Website: National Gallery (opens in new window).
Travel Connections
The National Gallery is centrally located in Trafalgar Square, making it highly accessible by various transport methods.
Underground (Tube)
- Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines): Approximately 230 metres, a 2-minute walk.
- Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines): Approximately 195 metres, a 3-minute walk.
- Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines): Approximately 6-minute walk.
- Embankment (District, Circle, Northern, and Bakerloo lines): Approximately 490 metres, a 7-minute walk.
Train
- Charing Cross Station: Approximately 320 metres from the Gallery, a 2-3 minute walk. This is also the nearest overland train station with step-free access.
- London Waterloo: Approximately 19 minutes' walk across the Golden Jubilee Bridges. Alternatively, take the Northern or Bakerloo line northbound to Charing Cross (a couple of minutes) or bus numbers 139 or 176 from Stop J directly outside the station.
Bus
Numerous bus routes stop near the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square. The nearest bus stop is Bus Stop K (St Martin's Place). Other nearby stops include Trafalgar Square (Stop C, D, or G) and Leicester Square Station (Stop L).
Bus numbers include: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 88, 139, 159, and 453.
River Boat
While there isn't a direct pier at the National Gallery, the closest River Boat piers are along the Thames. Millbank Pier (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) is an accessible pier, approximately a 10-minute walk from Pimlico Station (Victoria line), which can then connect you to central London. From Millbank Pier, you can take a bus or the underground to reach the Gallery.
Car
The National Gallery has no public car parking facilities. There is a limited number of blue badge parking bays nearby on Orange Street (which requires pre-booking by calling +44 20 7747 2885) and St Martin's Street. A public car park is available approximately 195 metres from the Orange Street entrance, on the corner of Whitcomb Street and Orange Street (Q-Park Leicester Square). Please be aware of central London's Congestion Charge.
Cycling
Bike racks are available close to the Gallery on Orange Street, St Martin's Street, St Martin's Place, and Duncannon Street. Folding bikes are not permitted inside the Gallery or cloakroom.
Facilities
The National Gallery offers a range of facilities to enhance your visit:
- Cloakroom: Located in the Ondaatje Main Hall on Floor 0.
- Toilets: Available on Floors -2, -3, and 4. Baby-changing facilities are on Floors -2 and -3.
- Changing Places Toilet: Located on Floor -2 (currently experiencing issues, but hoist and changing table are operational; ask staff for access).
- Cafes and Restaurants: Various options for refreshments and meals, including Ochre restaurant.
- Shops: Onsite and online shops offering art-related merchandise.
- Lifts and Escalators: Available throughout the Gallery for ease of movement between floors.
- Wi-Fi: Free wireless internet connection available.
- Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs, rollators, and folding stools are available.
- Sensory Resources: Large print labels for exhibitions, an app for viewing the collection, and all paintings are digitised.
- Service Dogs: Facilities for service dogs are provided, including water bowls and outdoor space.
Access
The National Gallery is committed to being accessible and inclusive:
- All entrances (main entrance at Ross Place, group entrance on St Martin's Place, Heinz Archive and Library entrance at 39–45 Orange Street) have step-free access.
- Level access is provided to public areas, including displays, exhibits, cafes, and restaurants, via ramps or lifts.
- Staff and volunteers are trained to assist visitors with disabilities.
- A visual story with images and information is available online to prepare for your visit.
- Virtual tours of Floors 0, 1, 2, and 3 are available online.
- Large-print and tactile maps are available at the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0.
- Hidden disability-friendly initiatives are in place, with some staff training.
- Information screens have visual/audible subtitles.
- Visual alarm systems are present.
For specific access queries, you can contact:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7306 0055 (lines open 10:00 – 17:00)
Text relay calls: 18001 020 7306 0055
Email: info@npg.org.uk
Entry Fees
Admission to the National Gallery's permanent collection is free for everyone. Donations are welcome.
There is a charge for some special exhibitions. Tickets for exhibitions can be booked in person, online, or by phone.
Admission to exhibitions is free for Gallery Members and children under 12 years in family groups.
Concession rates for exhibitions are available for:
- Those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, or Job Seeker's Allowance.
- Students.
- Children (12-18 years).
- Disabled people (with free entry for one carer).
Opening Times
The National Gallery is open daily:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM)
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM)
The Gallery begins closing ten minutes before the stated closing time. Last entry to special exhibitions is one hour before closing time.
Cloakroom opening times:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:30 AM - 5:50 PM (last deposit 5:00 PM)
- Friday and Saturday: 10:30 AM - 8:50 PM (last deposit 8:00 PM)
Nearby Places of Interest
- Trafalgar Square (Less than 1 minute): A bustling public square featuring Nelson's Column, lion statues, and frequently hosting public events and demonstrations.
- St Martin-in-the-Fields (1-2 minutes): An iconic 18th-century church known for its beautiful architecture, historical significance, and its crypt which houses a cafe and hosts various events.
- Leicester Square (2-3 minutes): A vibrant entertainment hub in the West End, famous for its cinema premieres, theatres, restaurants, and M&M's World.
- Covent Garden (7 minutes): A world-class shopping and dining destination with a historic market building, street performers, luxury boutiques, and a wide array of restaurants and cafes.
- Piccadilly Circus (8-9 minutes): A renowned road junction and public space in the West End, famous for its illuminated billboards, Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (Eros), and as a gateway to major shopping and entertainment areas.
- Horse Guards Parade (9-10 minutes): A large parade ground in Whitehall used for royal parades and ceremonies, including the Changing the Guard ceremony.
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (15 minutes): The iconic Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament, and its famous clock tower, Elizabeth Tower (commonly known as Big Ben).
- Westminster Abbey (15 minutes): A large Gothic abbey church, traditionally the coronation and burial place of British monarchs. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
