Every visit to the National Gallery is just as important as the next. We’re committed to making your experience of our building, services and programme as accessible and inclusive as possible.
On this page you’ll find:
If you have any trouble using our website or need help with any access requirements, please contact us.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7747 2885
Monday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Email: hello@nationalgallery.org.uk
The closest underground tube stations with step-free access are Tottenham Court Road and Westminster stations.
Tottenham Court Road is on the Central, Northern and Elizabeth underground lines. Westminster is on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines.
The nearest overground train station with step-free access is Charing Cross, which is about 200 metres from the Gallery.
The nearest bus stops are:
For the latest travel information, please check TFL [external link, opens in a new tab].
There is one designated parking space on Orange Street at the back of the National Gallery. From here, you can use the nearby entrance to the Roden Centre for Creative Learning to enter the Gallery, which has step-free access.
You are required to book this space 48 hours in advance by phoning: +44 (0)20 7747 2885.
There are five alternative parking spaces available nearby in St Martin's Street.
The space on Orange Street is not on the National Gallery premises. Should another Blue Badge holder park there before you arrive, unfortunately, we cannot send them away. If this occurs, there are alternative parking spaces available in St Martin’s Street and Leicester Square Car Park. Please phone Westminster Parking Information Service on +44 020 7823 4567 for more information.
Public car parks are available nearby in Leicester Square [external link, opens in a new tab] and Trafalgar Square [external link, opens in a new tab].
The Sainsbury Wing is the main entrance for everyone visiting us, including all ticket holders and Members. It has step-free access.
If you have access requirements that make queueing difficult, please speak to any member of staff.
The National Gallery is free to visit. There is a charge for some exhibitions.
Advanced booking is recommended. Book a free ticket for fast-track entry and to receive key information and updates before your visit.
Exhibition ticket
A free companion ticket can be booked with each access exhibition ticket.
Help booking tickets
You can book tickets for general admission and exhibitions online.
If you want to talk about specific access requirements, please call us on +44 (0)20 7747 2885 Monday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.
Email: hello@nationalgallery.org.uk
We provide a range of facilities to help make your visit more comfortable and a range of resources to enhance your experience of our paintings and exhibitions.
If you would like to preview what to expect on your visit please see our visual story
The Gallery offers British Sign Language-interpreted talks on paintings for visitors who are d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing, and art sessions for visitors who are blind and partially sighted. See all Access events coming up at the Gallery.
Hearing loops
Hearing loops are provided at all information desks.
BSL talks and events
We offer British Sign Language-interpreted talks on paintings and exhibitions. See all Access events coming up at the Gallery.
Transcribed talks and events
Some talks at the National Gallery are accompanied by live speech-to-text transcription supported by STAGETEXT. This converts the spoken word into visible text.
Find out more about STAGETEXT [external link]
Painting descriptions
A range of free introductions to our paintings are available with BSL interpretation.
See the full list on our website. You can also watch these on the Smartify app [external link].
Audio guides
Our Collection Audio Tour and Exhibition Audio Tours are all available to buy in BSL versions. These are self-guided tours on your own mobile device.
Seating is available around the Gallery.
Folded stools are available to pick up across the Gallery and outside exhibitions for use during your visit. Please ask a member of staff if you need help finding one.
You are also welcome to bring your own folding stool.
Transport and standard manual wheelchairs as well as a rollator are available to book in advance. Please call +44 (0)20 7747 2885.
A limited number are available on a first come, first served basis at the Sainsbury Wing Entrance and the Getty Entrance on Level 0. Please ask at the desk when you arrive.
Lift access is available to the galleries. Please contact us for a full list of lifts and dimensions.
There are accessible and ambulant toilets near all our entrances.
Accessible toilets are available on all floors of the Sainsbury Wing.
There are two accessible toilets located in Annenberg Court on Floor 0.
The Roden Centre for Creative Learning has one accessible toilet on Floor 0.
One accessible toilet is located on Floor 0 between Muriel’s Cafe and Ochre restaurant.
A Changing Places toilet is available on Floor 0 of the Roden Centre for Creative Learning and on Floor 0 the Sainsbury Wing. You will need a radar key to enter – please ask a member of staff.
The Changing Places toilet includes a toilet, sink, hoist, screen and shower.
You can help yourself to water at two locations in the Gallery.
These are Annenberg Court on Floor 0 and in the Sainsbury Wing on Floor 1. To find them, follow signs to the toilets.
There is a third water station outside the Pigott Theatre in the Sainsbury Wing.
You are also welcome to ask for tap water at our cafes and restaurants.
The Gallery is working hard to make events open and accessible to a wide audience.
See all Access events coming up at the Gallery.
We offer British Sign Language-interpreted talks on paintings and exhibitions.
Some talks at the National Gallery are accompanied by live speech-to-text transcription supported by STAGETEXT. This converts the spoken word into visible text.
Find out more about STAGETEXT [external link]
Some of our events are audio described for blind and sight impaired visitors.
Information points
There is an information desk at the entrance to the Sainsbury Wing on Floor 0 and by the Getty exit on Floor 0 near the Espresso Bar.
The audio guide desk is in the Sainsbury Wing on Floor 1.
You can also speak to our staff throughout the Gallery. Just look out for our yellow lanyards.
From home
Phone: +44 (0)20 7747 2885 Monday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Email: hello@nationalgallery.org.uk
