National Portrait Gallery
A free national gallery near Trafalgar Square showing portraits of people who shaped British history and culture, from the Tudors to today.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 as the first gallery in the world devoted to portraits. Its aim was to collect likenesses of men and women who had made a mark on British history, whatever the artistic quality of the picture, and the collection has grown ever since through gifts, purchases and commissions.
After several earlier homes, the gallery moved in the 1890s into its present building in St Martin's Place, close to Trafalgar Square and next to the National Gallery. The building was later extended, and the gallery now shows paintings, drawings, sculpture and photographs of kings and queens, writers, scientists, artists and public figures.
In 2020 the gallery closed for a major redevelopment that reorganised the displays, restored the historic galleries and created new spaces and a new main entrance on the north side of the building. It reopened to the public in June 2023. The permanent collection is free to see, while some exhibitions are ticketed.
Highlights
- Portraits of Tudor and Stuart monarchs
- Portraits of writers, scientists and artists
- Contemporary portraits and photographs
- Rooftop restaurant
- Founded
- 1856
- Operated by
- National Portrait Gallery
- Director
- Charles Saumarez Smith
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,145,486
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Some exhibitions are free for children under 12 in family groups. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Concession tickets for exhibitions, with a free place for a carer. |
Entry to the permanent collection is free. Some exhibitions are ticketed, with concessions for members, students, people receiving certain benefits and visitors with disabilities.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main entrance on the north side of the building is step-free, and lifts serve the floors. A Changing Places toilet and an assistive listening system are reported, and a tactile map is available at the Information Desk on floor 0. A limited number of Blue Badge bays are near the gallery. Check the gallery's access guide for current details.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Charing Cross station
Nearest Underground stations are Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross, which is also the nearest National Rail station. Buses stop on St Martin's Place (stop K) and at Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross station.
By car
A limited number of Blue Badge bays are close to the gallery.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Café, a rooftop restaurant and a gallery shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
