One of our favourite places in London. We enjoy wandering through the galleries, taking in the beauty, creativity and extraordinary range of artistic talent on display. The collection is remarkable, spanning different periods, styles and cultures, with something new to discover on every visit.
We have occasionally used the audio guides, which provide helpful background and context. However, I have sometimes found that the narrators miss the intended meaning behind certain works, particularly religious paintings, where the Gospel message or biblical context is not always fully understood or accurately interpreted.
Even so, the National Gallery remains a wonderful place to spend a few hours, whether you are an art enthusiast or simply appreciate beauty, history and human creativity.
Highly recommend Fiona Alderton’s International Women’s Day tour. It was phenomenal. She is an amazing educator and guide, and she brings so much insight to the works she discusses. One striking point she highlights is that only 29 of the 2,400 paintings in the gallery are by women, which feels quite shocking given that we are now in 2026 and there is clearly room for the gallery to acquire more work by female artists.
Fiona does an incredible job telling the stories behind the pieces and drawing attention to these artists. She is a real asset to the gallery and made the tour engaging, thoughtful, and very memorable.
It’s hard to believe but this amazing place is free to visit! There is so much here to see and the collections are beautifully displayed in galleries flooded with light.
I visited on a sunny February lunchtime and it was quite busy.
It is somewhere to be visited many times as there is so much to see.
I loved the enthusiasm of the many Italian students who were very taken with the large painting of the beheaded St John the Baptist.
The National Gallery in London is an extraordinary place where centuries of European art come together in a calm and inspiring atmosphere. Founded in 1824 and located in Trafalgar Square, the museum houses masterpieces by artists such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Turner, and Rembrandt. The layout is easy to follow, the lighting beautifully highlights the paintings, and entry is free, making it accessible to everyone. Walking through its rooms feels like traveling across time and artistic movements. A must-visit cultural landmark for anyone who appreciates history, creativity, and timeless beauty in the heart of London. Recommending
The world’s greatest painting gallery. All of the great masters are here, represented most often by a stone cold masterpiece—Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, Titian’s Poesie, Veronese’s Darius Before Alexander, Parmigianino’s Vision of St Jerome, del Piombo’s Lazarus… it just goes on and on and on, in the best possible way. Equally as impressive as the paintings is the ease in which everyone waltzes in and out of the museum, which is always free. The relaxed, casual, open and friendly atmosphere sets it apart from most other museums—it feels like you’re wandering about a giant living room filled with centuries of exquisite art. The recent rehang of the paintings is a smashing success, and the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing now offers more space and updated facilities. An unparalleled immersive experience in the river of European painting. Unmissable.
