The National Gallery dominates over London's Trafalgar Square as it dominates all other galleries in the city in terms of world renown. Some of the finest examples of European art, ranging from 1260 to 1900, are included among the 2,300 paintings filling its halls and rooms. Holbein's 'The Ambassadors', 'The Hay Wain' by Constable, and Jan Van Eyck's 'Arnolfini Marriage' are just some of the major attractions. Works on display also include those of Botticelli, Monet, Constable, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. This really is the place to come for top quality artwork spanning a wide spectrum of styles and periods. From the Early Renaissance to the Post-Impressionists, every significant stage in the development of painting is represented in its collection, often by masterpieces. Originally established by Parliament in 1824, the collection belongs to the British public and every effort is made to ensure the art accessible: free entry, free events, free talks and free tours support this ethos. Regular weekend activities include guided tours at 11:30, 14:30 weekdays, there are extra tours at 12:30 and 15:30 on Saturdays plus lunchtime talks at 13:00.
(Image: National Gallery Interior)
What's on at
National Gallery
National Gallery Guided Tour 22nd May 2009 - 18th December 2009 Every Friday, from 7-8pm, meet at the Sainsbury Wing Information...
Price: £0.00
Children's Art Day 6th July 2009 - 12th July 2009 Would you let your kids loose on the nation's art...
Price: £0.00
Corot To Monet 8th July 2009 - 20th September 2009 This free exhibition at the National Gallery concentrates on important...
Ed and Nancy Kienholz: Hoerengracht 18th November 2009 - 21st February 2010 'The Hoerengracht', a replication of Amsterdam's red-light district by American...
National Gallery Valentine's Day Tour
National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
14th February 2009
Dominating Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery's imposing presence is a wonderfully romantic place... More
Picasso: Challenging the Past
National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing, WC2N 5DN
25th February 2009 - 7th June 2009
At first glance staging a Picasso exhibition at the ... More
Museums at Night Weekend
National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
15th May 2009 - 17th May 2009
For 2009, Museums at Night Weekend replaces the Museums and Galleries Month traditionally held... More
The Sacred Made Real - Spanish Painting and Sculpture 1600-1700
National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
21st October 2009 - 24th January 2010
In 'The Sacred Made Real', the ... More
Kienholz, 'Hoerengracht'
National Gallery, WC2N 5DN
18th November 2009 - 21st February 2010
'The Hoerengracht', a replication of Amsterdam's red-light district by American artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz,... More
The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of significant figures from the late 15th century to the present day. This isn't the place to come for ... More
This historic church of St Martin-in-the-Fields overlooking Trafalgar Square was designed by James Gibbs and built in 1726. It houses a glorious eaterie ... More
Master tactician, inspirational leader, patriotic martyr, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson is one of England's great heroes. His statue is at the very heart of London. ... More
Overlooking Leicester Square - the setting for London’s regular film premieres - the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire has glamorous, exclusive décor to match its high-profile setting: ... More
Set in between Trafalgar and Leicester Squares and right next to the National Portrait Gallery, the Thistle Trafalgar Square is a modern hotel set in ... More
The £25,000 BP Portrait Award is, for many young artists, a ticket to making it in the art world. The National Portrait Gallery competition is ...More
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, held at the National Portrait Gallery each year, attracts around 7,000 images and is open to professionals and amateurs ...More
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too ... More
Intrepid explorers already know where to travel for the best selection of maps and travel books. Stanford's should be the first pit stop on any ... More
Sainsbury Wing,
National Gallery,Trafalgar Square,Westminster,
London,
WC2NMap
The National Gallery's restaurant won Time Out's Best British Restaurant Award in 2007 for good reasons - they do all sorts of great British things ... More
Katana has all the right ingredients for success. An amazing location, highly trained chefs and slick décor combine to create an oasis of elegance amid ... More
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ... More
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ... More
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
In the shadow of both Centrepoint and St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, hidden from most tourists and residents alike, lies this beautiful West End garden. Originally a ... More
Part Victorian pub, part museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous sleuth.
Thirsty Sherlock Holmes fans look no further than this homage to the ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
A favourite with young royals - Princes Harry and William, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been spotted here... all at the same time. And where ... More
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Every Friday, from 7-8pm, meet at the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk for a sixty-minute taster tour of the National Gallery. Within the collection are paintings ...More
This free exhibition at the National Gallery concentrates on important 18th and 19th century works which promoted 'plein-air' painting. Corot to Monet: A fresh look ...More
In 'The Sacred Made Real', the National Gallery explores the role of the hyper-realist sculptures in Spanish art during the 17th century. Through important works ... More
'The Hoerengracht', a replication of Amsterdam's red-light district by American artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz, may at first seem an unlikely work to display alongside ... More