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Plan your visit

The National Gallery is free to visit

Booking is recommended

Open daily 10am–6pm and Friday until 9pm (Closed 24–26 December and 1 January)

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

Free exhibitions are included with Gallery entry.

Members enjoy more

Join today to see all our exhibitions first.
And for free.

Plus enjoy a range of exclusive benefits.

Become a Member

Gallery entry + free exhibitions

Book your free Gallery entry ticket to see the collection and our upcoming free exhibitions.

Find out more and book

 

NG200 - Celebrating 200 years of the National Gallery

We are making some exciting changes to the building: providing a first-class welcome for you and millions of visitors each year, creating a dedicated space for our Members and supporters, and upgrading our Learning and Research facilities.

These changes will help more people get closer to the collection.

While the Sainsbury Wing is closed, many of the paintings have been redisplayed across the Gallery. We strongly recommend you book a ticket online ahead of your visit to the Gallery and please check the floorplan for up-to-date room closures and the painting pages for the current location of our paintings.

Thank you for bearing with us while we prepare for our Bicentenary celebrations.

Find out more about NG200.

 

Entrances

We have several entrances. Our main, free Gallery entrance is the Portico, with step-free access at the Getty Entrance. All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where we inspect bags and rucksacks.

Portico Entrance

Our main entrance, the Portico, is at the centre of the Gallery overlooking Trafalgar Square. 

Getty Entrance

The Getty Entrance is on the east side of Trafalgar Square and is for visitors with an exhibition ticket; Members and Supporters priority; visitors with mobility access requirements; and pre-booked groups. It has step-free access. 

The Keeper of Paintings and the Palette of Perception

Step into a hidden world of art and magic at the National Gallery in this new immersive app

Eat and drink

Ochre

Our beautiful restaurant Ochre offers a contemporary European menu ranging from weekend brunch to afternoon tea and dinner. There's also a lively cocktail bar, intimate private dining room, and special live music events.

Muriel's Kitchen

Our café by Muriel's Kitchen offers seasonal salads and proteins, quiches and hot main meals, alongside cakes and patisseries, all prepared fresh every day.

Espresso Bar by Muriel's

The Espresso Bar by Muriel's serves artisan coffee and a selection of freshly prepared pre-packaged sandwiches, seasonal salads and baked goods.

Shop

Every single purchase you make from us supports the National Gallery. Visit our shops or shop online. 

Shop in-store 

Complete your Gallery experience with a visit to our shop. You’ll find our exclusive gifts and souvenirs in our shop by the Portico Entrance. 

Shop online

Shop online for Gallery gifts and art books and have them delivered straight to your home or click and collect when you visit. 

From our walls to yours 

Customise an image of your favourite painting and choose a frame, size and material. Made bespoke to your order and delivered to your door.  

Shop for prints

Facilities and amenities

Access

We aim to make access to the paintings enjoyable and welcoming to the widest possible public.

For more detail on what you can expect from a visit, please see our visual story.

Cloakroom

The cloakroom costs £2 per item to use (free for Members). We accept bags up to 56 x 25 x 45 cm. Wheeled luggage, including cabin bags, and suitcases are not allowed. You are welcome to bring baby buggies into the Gallery. 

Toilets

There are toilet and baby changing facilities inside the entrance.

Explore the collection

Explore the nation's collection before you visit or download the Smartify app for information on the go.

WiFi

Connect to our free WiFi - look for ‘National Gallery’. Read our terms of use.

Photography

Feel free to take photographs for personal, non-commercial use, unless a sign says you shouldn't.

Safety and hygiene

To ensure your safety and that of our visitors and staff, the National Gallery remains committed to the following safety measures

Face coverings

Visitors are welcome to wear a face covering in the National Gallery. You may be asked to lower it temporarily when you pass through our security checks.

Cleaning and hygiene

We continue to thoroughly clean all parts of the Gallery and there are hand-sanitiser stations located throughout.

If you're feeling unwell

If you display symptoms associated with COVID-19, please delay your visit until it is safe to do so.

Getting here

Please follow the latest guidelines on travel and public transport.

[All links to TFL and Google Maps open in a new window]

Plan your journey on the TFL website.

Parking for:

There is a parking space on Orange Street for Blue Badge holders only. Please book in advance by calling 020 7747 2885.

There are designated parking bays on St Martin's Street. Please phone Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567 for more information.

Public car parks are available nearby in Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.

The nearest bike stands are on Orange Street, St Martin's Street, St Martin's Place, and Duncannon Street.

The nearest Santander Cycles docking stations are on St Martin's Street, Craven Street, Pall Mall East, William IV Street, Charles II Street and Oxendon Street.
Please check TFL for up-to-date information about nearby Santander Cycle docking stations.

Visiting guidelines

To help us keep the Gallery a safe and enjoyable place for everyone, please follow the guidelines listed in our Visitor Admissions Policy.