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    The National Gallery

    4.7 (551 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    The National Gallery Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The National Gallery

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    Maria T.

    It lovely that this gorgeous portrait gallery is free to the public! Expect loads of crowding, loud chatter, and folks vying to get photos! It's huge! The map cost 2 pounds which we readily paid since it directed us to the "after 1800" movements with painters like Manet, Monet, Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Seurat and Renoir. We stopped at Muriel's cafe for beverages and scones. All in all, worth visiting to see the classics - but if your not fond of rubbing elbows with others, picture yourself elsewhere.

    Cin V.

    Lots of very famous artists' work shown here. Free admissions. Lots of staff working every room. If you're wanting to see some Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, etc. this is the place to be. Unfortunately, Van Gogh's Sunflowers was out on loan while I was here, but it definitely would have been awesome to see. This was my first time here and won't be my last.

    The Fight between the Lapiths and the Centaurs by Piero di Cosimo.
    Jasmine A.

    Founded in 1824, the National Gallery is an art museum with over 2,300 paintings by artists such as Jan van Eyck, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Henri Rousseau, Vincent van Gogh, and so many more. If you're an art fan, the National Gallery is a must see, and even if you are just a casual art fan, such as myself, it's well worth a visit. The museum is FREE, so you have nothing to lose. I wasn't in the gallery for long, only about an hour, but I enjoyed my visit. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; London, England; Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills]

    12/2025
    Sabrina S.

    Wonderful museum! I'm a lover of art museums and this Gallery was on my London list. Even better, entrance was free! It does get quite busy, so just beware of time and crowds. Unfortunately since our time was limited, we aimed for specific artists. The museum was gorgeous and well organized. Plenty of restrooms and gift shops. There's a great outdoor viewing area of Trafalgar Square from the museum. Totally worth it, highly recommend.

    Alyssa Y.

    We had a bit of extra time one day in London and decided to visit the national gallery. I'm so glad that it fit within our schedule and we were able to get in. Since it is free to visit, there are quite a large number of people in the gallery. However, our weight to get in, was not very long at all. There, of course, some must see items in the gallery, which were definitely busier than others, but it was great to wander about and explore a bit as well. We only spent a little over an hour here and could have easily spent some additional time. This is a spot which is worth a quick visit if possible.

    Van Gogh's chair painting in his room .
    Veronica S.

    Everything in this museum is beautiful. Every room, every art work. It was an unplanned visit from Trafalgar Square - coming off from the Underground, I really needed to go use the "loo" . My sister and I decided to go to the National Gallery since admission is free!!! It was in the start of winter and it was very cold outside even in the sun. The National Gallery isn't just a warm refuge from the cold, but the vast array of artists being shown is an unforgettable opportunity. Each room is spacious and when I went, it was around 10 am, there weren't a lot of people inside. I immediately wanted to look at all the rooms and which artists I would discover. It's easy finding the artists as the directory is right at the entrance and continues as you go through the rooms. There are attendants that are also more than happy to show you the way. The best part of it was discovering Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting - I've always wanted to see it and didn't know it was here. I could've spent the whole day just studying the paintings. I have so much sentiment for these types of artists. If only my sister shared the same . It's OK, I now have a reason to go back to the UK more often. So many great artists from Cézanne, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh... I highly recommend visiting this palace of greats if you're into arts / paintings. The building is clean and easy to find - it's at the center of Trafalgar Square. Majestic and filled with all the wonders inside.

    Nyla K.

    This place is so cool. Modern looking from the outside but the inside is very much unique. Spent the day here with our niece and her favorite piece was of the horse. Great gift shop and helpful staff to guide you around. A nice kids area for breaks when they get bored.

    Vincent Van Gogh, Sunflower
    Taylor R.

    The National Gallery is a must see in London! I am visiting from New York and it was the most beautiful museum I have ever been to. Make sure you set aside enough time because it is huge! Another cool thing is that you are able to take photos and there are plenty of amazing gift shops.

    YaoEun L.

    It was quite busy at the square, so I thought the museum would be busy as well but it wasn't bad. We basically walked into the museum and the rooms are large enough that you don't feel overcrowded. There are some paintings that draw more of a crowd, like Vincent Van Gogh, but the crowds moved quickly and it wasn't like sardines in a can. The gift shop was very nice. There are two sets of bathrooms down there so if one is busy try finding the one that's a little further away.

    Charles F.

    We had a splendid afternoon at the National Gallery. This art museum is not only fantastic in its collections, but it is also free. The staff was very friendly and the open expansive areas with seating are special. We enjoyed seeing Reimbrant, Monet, Renoir, and, of course, Van Gogh. Sunflowers held most of the attention and fascination, and with good reason. The latest Lego set featured a similar version to the one at the National Gallery. If you love art and history, do not skip the National Gallery while you're in London.

    "The Ugly Duchess"
    Bear A.

    Can't miss free museum that has a massive collection spanning European art from the 1200s up to the present. This is the must see to get a grasp of European art and see incredible art in person. Plan on spending several hours and take advantage of any decent talks when you arrive.

    National Gallery, London_Yelp_Sanju-3
    Sanjay G.

    Visiting London without catching a glimpse of the impressive National Gallery is almost impossible. This iconic, columned museum is set at the edge of Trafalgar Square, home to incredible masterpieces that make it one of the best attractions in London. Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European paintings from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet, Rembrandt's "Self Portrait at the Age of 34" and Van Gogh's "Sunflowers." The museum features paintings from the 13th to early 20th centuries of Western European tradition, including Italian Renaissance masterpieces and French Impressionist works. and did i tell you - every art gallery and museum in London is- Free !! Free !! Free !!

    Jenna P.

    This place is huge! You could spend all day there reading about the history of each painting. They have Monets and Van Goghs. My favorite was the execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche.

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    10 months ago

    This Gallery is located at Trafagar square. Admission was free. Lots to see with a small gift shop.

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    cool to see and nice change of pace from the huge museums full of massive stuff. lots of historical info

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    Page 1 of 14

    The National Gallery Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The National Gallery

    Be prepared to wait your turn in line when trying to approach/admire paintings from artists such as Van Gogh.

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    Tate Modern - Carpeted wall

    Tate Modern

    4.2(816 reviews)
    1.3 miSouth Bank, Southwark

    Marvelous place, the Tate Modern, though unfortunately my children did not see the appeal…read more I had fond memories of our first visit, back in 2010, and wanted to peek into the Tate during a family outing along South Bank last month. I love London's free museums, which make this sort of perfunctory drop-in both easy and practical. Our kids didn't like the Musée d'Orsay, so we didn't have high hopes for the Tate, especially after a long walk from the London Eye. We'd barely gotten them up the escalators and into one of the exhibit halls when they started saying they wanted to leave. We admired what we could of the heavy-hitting collection. We also talked to our children about some of the art, and maybe a trickle of it got through. There was a still life I loved, that turned out to be a Picasso, and a Mondrian painting I'm pretty sure I learned about in first or second grade. Our six-year-old volunteered that he liked a still life of a beer mug by Fernand Léger, and both kids were drawn, just a little, to Warhol's Marilyn Diptych. I hope the boys remember this quick visit, but if not, I certainly will. Maybe I'll bring them back when they're older, and we can give the Tate the time it deserves.

    There is actually many more free exhibits then what appears when you first enter the museum. They…read morereally push the special exhibits which are costly unless you are a member. Once you study the layout you discover all of the galleries that are free which are quite a few. If you like contemporary art this is the place to go since they have a good collection. There is some really weird stuff. Of course the building itself and its rebirth from a power station is worth a visit alone. Fascinating.

    Photos
    Tate Modern - Red Slate Circle - Richard Long, UK artist

    Red Slate Circle - Richard Long, UK artist

    Tate Modern
    Tate Modern - A typical gallery.

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    A typical gallery.

    Victoria and Albert Museum - Intricate carving of the Passion of Christ

    Victoria and Albert Museum

    4.6(500 reviews)
    2.1 miKnightsbridge

    Art museums aren't generally my highest interest, so it took me several visits to London to make it…read morehere. This collection is fascinating for its variety and depth. The explanations provided are insightful without being dense. I can't help but think how many great churches in Italy must be missing their beautiful medieval altars...because they're here. Great Rodin sculptures. A Japan collection that is deep and very well explained. Some truly amazing tapestries, and even a couple entire grand English rooms that were moved here entirely. The building it's all housed in is wonderful as well, take a break in the central courtyard. Supposedly it has air conditioning but other than the English section, it felt warm on a day that was 80F. They were preparing for a hot week with upper gallery closures.

    This is kind of a placeholder review until I go back to London and give the Victoria and Albert…read moreMuseum a proper visit. I went for the first time with my family last month, for a quick peek after an afternoon at the Natural History Museum. We didn't think our kids would be as interested in the V & A, but we had time to kill before dinner, and entry was free. Truly incredible that all these iconic museums are free and open to the public. Makes them easy to enjoy, even for fifteen minutes. Which is about all the time we got at the V & A, as we arrived at 5:15. The exhibits started closing while we studied the map, deciding what we might like to see. By the time we got to the Japanese lacquer display, which was close enough to the lobby I thought we might be able to take a peek, we were no longer allowed entry. Even the gift shop was wrapping up for the day. We were able to walk in and do a speed lap, but wouldn't have had time to shop in earnest. We did get to admire the building and the grand entry hall, with its domed ceiling and enormous Chihuly chandelier. But all the treasures within were out of reach, at least this time around. I found myself wishing I'd had a day to explore the collection, as well as the ticketed Schiaparelli and contemporary Asian art exhibits. The V & A is a top priority next time I'm in London.

    Photos
    Victoria and Albert Museum - At Victoria and Albert Museum

    At Victoria and Albert Museum

    Victoria and Albert Museum - At Victoria and Albert Museum

    At Victoria and Albert Museum

    Victoria and Albert Museum - Sculptures at Victoria and Albert Museum

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    Sculptures at Victoria and Albert Museum

    The British Museum - At British Museum

    The British Museum

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.7 miBloomsbury

    Big! Giant! Huge Collection! I think that describes this museum. Be prepared to spend at least half…read moreday here. For fast pace like me, it takes us 3 hours. This museum need reservations ahead of time. It is free to public. The museum is popular, if you try to get in at the day arrive, you have to hope not many reserve the ticket. The museum has a lot room with different regions in the world. Many of the collection even the host country doesn't have it. The Egypt collection includes the many types of mummies. This collection not even the Egypt has it. The entrance basically enter to the round section that connected to the different room. You may need a good leg to walk entire museum. They also have folding chairs that you can use and portable to open at the display.

    Late Saturday afternoon in the summer:…read more The Good: *Admission is free! *No cattle crowd lines for security check, I basically walked up. *The new (compared to the original) Grand Courtyard is stunning and a fantastic photo op. *Enlightenment Room 1 is literally the coolest place in the summer. *The Rosetta Stone, Room 4 is a don't miss. *ditto the Tang dynasty figures and China history which was eye-opening in Room 33. Jade story was interesting too in Room 33a. The Bad: *Probably because it's free, the place is super crowded with students, elderly, tourists and large tour groups of all stripes. *The security line was empty because everyone was already inside. *Most of the rooms are hot in summer. I was sweating and clammy. I was surprised people weren't fainting due to the stuffy air. *You have about 10 seconds to see the Rosetta Stone due to the crowd who also don't want to miss it. *Enlightenment Room 1 was filled with people sitting and resting and cooling off in the library-like space. *Special exhibition-Declaring Independence, USA 250 was super small but I guess appropriate given the British lost the war. Room 3. I forgot I had already been to the British Museum 12 years ago. I think I've seen enough but maybe return in the midweek and when it isn't so hot. Sometimes the museum closes early due to the heat.

    Photos
    The British Museum - At British Museum

    At British Museum

    The British Museum - British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    The British Museum - British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-28

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    British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-28

    The London Film Museum - One of many beautiful Bond cars on display

    The London Film Museum

    4.0(28 reviews)
    0.4 miStrand, Covent Garden

    The London Film Museum is essentially the James Bond Museum, with the "Bond in Motion" exhibits…read moreoccupying the vast majority of the space. It is a rather small museum though, and even if you take the time to look at every detail, one to two hours will be more than enough. The main exhibits are the hot cars that 007 gets to drive, as well as a few other cool surprises - remember the car that turned into a submarine when it hit the water (The Spy Who Loved Me)? Or the plane with folded wings that emerged from a trailer (Octopussy)? Many of those exhibits include detailed specifications as well as videos of the scenes that highlight the vehicles. Some exhibits also play the theme songs in the background. Other memorabilia that Bond fans would love include original costumes, props, photo of backstage scenes, theatrical posters, etc. Admission is GBP14.50 (about USD18), which is rather expensive for such a small place (hence only 4 stars). But Bond fans, don't you dare say it's too expensive so you'll never go. Never Say Never Again! You Only Live Twice! You can go tomorrow since Tomorrow Never Dies. Go see it with your own Golden Eye. After all, this museum is For Your Eyes Only...

    007 fans, you do NOT want to miss this!! This was only ever meant to be a temporary museum, but was…read moreso successful, they've opened it indefinitely. What you'll find in here is gold if you're a Bond fan; from the first ever original car insurance deal for filming, props used in the films like passports, keys, money to a range of vehicles used throughout all the films - it's well worth the money. Here's a tip - buying tickets online is actually more expensive than in person, only by a couple of pounds, but when there's six of you going, that's 6 coffees I could buy at Pret a Manger around the corner!!!! Keep your change, and buy when you get there.

    Photos
    The London Film Museum - Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    The London Film Museum - Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    The London Film Museum - Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

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    Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

    The National Gallery - artmuseums - Updated August 2026

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