Historical version 6 of National Portrait Gallery (view current version)
- 020 7306 0055
- St Martin's Place
- WC2H OHE
- npg.org.uk
- Monday - Wednesday: 10.00 - 6pm; Thursday - Friday: 10.00 - 9pm; Saturday - Sunday: 10.00 - 6pm; Closed: 1 January, Good Friday, 24-26 December
The National Portrait Gallery is a wonderful museum tucked next to the National Gallery. It's seldom crowded, which can be a real boon to the tourist. What you've got here is portraits, pure and simple, from the great days of portraiture to the present. I'm particularly fond of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in one of the stairwells. It's also nice to know that there is modern portraiture, given the anti-representational biases of the modern art scene. The gallery also hosts special exhibitions from time to time.
The Portrait Gallery also has a superb web site, with images of much of the collection.
Nearest Tube Stations: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
Admission: Free, except for special exhibitions
Services: Cafeteria, Restaurant, Gift Shop