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Plan your visit and book

We are temporarily closed but you can still visit us online.

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Entry by advanced online booking only

Please book online and in advance. This is to help us manage the number of people in the Gallery, limit queuing and reduce contact.

Your safety is our priority

We have made a few changes that put your safety, as well as the safety of our staff, first; including closing the cloakroom. Find out more.

A new experience

We are the same Gallery but with added social distancing, one-way art routes and a contactless experience.

Safety and hygiene

These are some of the additional measures we have put in place for your safety and the safety of our staff.

Social distancing

The number of visitors to the Gallery has been reduced so you can maintain social distancing during your visit.

Face coverings

For your safety and the safety of other visitors and staff, you must wear a face covering during your visit unless you are exempt; this is in line with government guidelines.

If you're feeling unwell

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

Hand sanitiser stations

Hand sanitiser will be available, at regular intervals, for you to use.

Increased cleaning

The frequency of our cleaning throughout the Gallery has been increased, including toilets and other facilities.

Protection for our staff

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been introduced for our staff, including face masks, gloves and eye protection.

Shopping and eating

Shop and refresh at the end of your visit.

Shopping

From prints to postcards or cushions to coasters complete your Gallery experience with a visit to our gift shop.

Eating

Choose from a selection of delicious food and drink at the end of your visit to enjoy in our Café or to take away.

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.

Facilities and amenities

Access

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

Cloakrooms and umbrellas

Travel light and leave your large umbrella at home because our cloakrooms remain closed and large umbrellas are not permitted in the picture galleries.

Toilets

There are toilet and baby changing facilities at the entrance and exit for you to use at the beginning and end of your visit.

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.

Getting here

Please follow the latest guidelines on travel and public transport.

Plan your journey on the TFL website.
Getting here by:
Parking for:
Car

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.

Bicycle

The nearest bike stands are on Orange Street, St Martin's Street, St Martin's Place, and Duncannon Street. Please check Urban Cycle Parking for further information.

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.

FAQs

For more information about the changes we have made to the Gallery and your visit, please see our FAQs.

Read more

Visiting guidelines

To help us keep the Gallery a safe and enjoyable place for everyone, please follow the guidelines below by:

  • Being considerate towards others
  • Not touching the paintings or other exhibits, and not crossing the barriers
  • Consuming food and drink in designated areas only i.e. not in rooms that contain paintings
  • Following our no smoking (includes vaping) policy in any part of the building
  • Following our ‘no photography’ policy in exhibitions where a sign is displayed
  • Sit only on the seating provided; our Gallery assistants can help you find the nearest seating

For more information read our Admissions Policy.