National Portrait Gallery Reviews

Amazing free gallery in central London... definitely worth a visit!

One of the loveliest museums in London. Beautiful building - well lit. Disabled friendly. Good rest room facilities. A beautiful collection of artworks from the Tudor period. The museum displays well documented pictures with wide space to walk. It is quiet and warm. Features modern art collections and currently an exhibit/collection of post world war paintings. Definitely recommend a visit

Great range of portraits traditional and contemporary

I can highly recommend the drawing classes they offer and the free portrait talks. It's a lovely place to wander around, and encounter sime amazing artworks. I was unexpectedly blown away by the Tudor and Elizabethan works. The cafe downstairs has a sky light under which you can chill - it makes a nice escape from the hectic streets in that part of town.

It s free so shouldn t complain too much but I was left a little disappointed with what was on display/lack off. Don t stay on the website too long or you will spoil your visit!

Generally speaking we found the older portraits less interesting than the younger generation of paintings. We felt that a broader mix of paintings throughout history would be more engaging for modern tastes. A huge selection of Tudor paintings seems overkill.

Favourite painting WG Grace

If you have time, then be sure! London will not be revealed until the end, if you do not go there !!!!

Some of it free
Amazing pictures
Expensive cafe

Staff are nice. Museums are culture, just go there and enjoy it!

Welcoming and efficient as always. Even for those not especially interested in portrait, the special exhibitions are often worthwhile. Interesting to see filmed portraits introduced.

Lots of portraits of famous people of Britain. Very good documentation of the Victorian era through portraits.

Upon taking, twenty primary school children on a three day residential to the capital, the portrait gallery was a must. The children wanted to ask questions.Questions we could not answer. Then we came across Stephen, Stephen was engaging, welcoming to the curious minds of the twenty, nine year olds.
Our trip was only a short one to the gallery, the children could have spent all day with Stephen as a knowledgeable guide. May be nxt time.

opened their minds to their questionsengaging

It is huge! For an art lover who likes to delve into history of art across the world, it will be a treat to the eyes and being. You could spend a day or two browsing through the gallery s rich collection. For a general tourist, it will still take a couple of hours going around - there s a lot to admire and enjoy.

Some great work in here, and they do a lot of good stuff to keep it interesting. Always feel a bit sorry for them being right next to the National.

A wonderful gallery and exceptionally well design space

A gallery of portraits of British historical, political and artistic personalities of the Tudors in the twentieth century. Shakespeare will be recognized as well as Admiral Nelson or Churchill.

Can't beat this place for viewing the best of portraits

I never get tired of this museum. I usually spend just under 2 hours, but if you're doing any of the audio guides (there are several to choose from, it costs and you'll have to give ID for them to hold while you have an audioset checked out) plan on closer to 3 hours.

One of the best portrait galleries in the world, with works by van Dyck, van Gogh, Constable, etc. and it's FREE

Went to Michael Jackson on the wall exhibition. Very enjoyable

Upon entering the National Portrait ,Gallery I felt as if I were walking back into History there were many familiar faces. Faces I recognised as a child and faces I recognised when I became an adult. So many of these faces I'd seen a hundred times in the pages of a book. But here in sparkling 35k, in ultra definition, in the highest dynamic range possible. Beautiful at times, as I meandered through time and history. But tearful at the end as I said goodbye.

Kings, queens, prime ministers and cabinet members are well represented as well as special exhibit of nationally acclaimed portraits.

Double delight. First the Elizabethan miniatures, showing the incredibly intricate work of miniature painters to the Elizabethan court. Housed in sephulcral dark conditions and displayed with very low lighting to preserve the colours.
They seem almost impossible to create at the time considering the constraints of lighting and materials. The delicacy and detail are outstanding.
Then there is the delightful exhibition of photographs by Martin Parr, a documentary photographer whose images are probably familiar to many people. Recently the pre-program intros on BBC TV. The images are outstanding and beautifully observed.
So altogether it was a morning well and happily spent. And worth the entrance fee, though free for members, which I am not.

If you're into art then a great place to spend some time.

A world class gallery of portraits spanning the last 1000 years. Every picture tells a story and you could easily spend a day here. There is something for everyone ... from photographic portraits, modern paintings (such as Freud's self More

A multi-level chronological portrait exhibition dating from around the Elizabethan age. My favourite was the Regency period, although I would refer to it as the Romantic period.

You should visit it if you go to London absolutely ... and on the top floor there is also a restaurant that deserves not only for the view it offers

Great place to walk through history or also to kill time while waiting for friends nearby.

Beautiful gallery of portraits that must be visited calmly

The David Hockney exhibition of his portraiture is popular but was not overcrowded. The developing relationships between Hockney and his subjects are illustrated well. The gallery is accessible and free, although there is a charge for special exhibitions such as this.

Pretty much like any experience one expects from a portrait gallery although, like the magic of Michael Jackson, the new Michael Jackson portrait exhibition called Michael Jackson On The Wall is definitely magical and a wonder. I greatly recommend it, MJ fan or not. The Warhol portrait of Michael is a MUST SEE.

Recently popped in on Good Friday because I had an hour to spare. Looked at the American Indian collection by George Caitlin. Eye opener.

Small venue, it has always an interesting exhibit, off mainstream

Portraits, only portraits. To some that might sound a bit boring, but it is not. Behind every portrait there is a story and some of these are really good (just read Bill Bryson). How to make a representation of a person? That is not an easy task, but something you can study here.

Top standard venue for art. Exhibition of Gainsborough's family portrait revelatory of his swift technique.

Wonderful and I love the temporary exhibitions too.

A bit of a maze when you go up to the upper floors. I've been here many times yet still get disorientated at the top back galleries. Some of the staff up themselves and some friendly...its London! The special exhibitions quite over priced to see unless you're a member of NPG.

The human face speaks to everyone. Here one can find beauty and integrity. The artists are not self obsessed, they are focused on their subjects.

Amazing have to see museum. Had the best selection of art that I've seen in London.

A wonderful part of the London culture scene. Excellent exhibitions as well as their long term collection. I have seen some wonderful pictures here

Start at the top of the building, with the oldest exhibits, and work your way down.

What an amazing and wonderful place. So much to see and learn.

The National Portrait Gallery is very impressive. Anyone can appreciate the art here, plus it is free! It is a terrific value and attraction for an expensive city.

An amazing experience of seeing the most well-known people on their portraits. A lesson on the history, culture and art in one go. I definitely recommend.

Okay, what I saw today was the exhibition of this year's portrait awards, great!

For those who love portraiture and portrait photography it is a must see in London.

Love this gallery went to see the Martin Parr show excellent.

Beautiful museum! And always a good exposition to do

A fantastic place on a lazy Sunday afternoon, a lively building with well thought through display and galleries.

If you like portraits and live music on Fridays this is a great place to be.

The NPG has gone badly downhill. We are members and have been eating here for years but were extremely disappointed by last week's meal. The menu had changed with a lot less choice and was much more expensive with a la carte starters from More

A London must! The "picture of the day" talk is highly recommended (see website, I think 12.30 every day, free activity) as it brings one specific painting (on a rotating basis) very much to life and is highly informative and well-presented. Where better to bring history of kings and queens to life than at the national portrait gallery!? Absolutely amazing. Will definitely go again

you just can't beat this place - it's fantastic - one of my absolute favourite places

This is the best of the galleries on London. Fantastic portraiture and a history lesson combined.

Very nice environment, free entrance, large exhibition of paintings. Good surveillance. Easily accessible.

Familiar and unusual every visit: something for everyone from Ed Sheeran to Ghengis Khan, what more could you want in a gallery!

I really enjoyed this museum, both for the tall architecture (narrow and multi-story building) and for the collection. I would advise for painting lovers.

One of the great gems of London. Compact and impeccably curated, it's a telescope into the nature of the British, via their faces. Combined with an early lunch at Barrafina or Fumo round the corner, its a perfect low-stress way to indulge your senses.

Amazing, that much history and energy on the same place <3

Haven't been for years and well worth visiting again, nice little cafe in the basement too.

All the portraits you've seen as illustrations in books. A must!

Nice fallacy and not as busy as some other musea in the centre of London.

Nice pictures. Lots of paintings with similar religious themes. The virgin on the rocks was popular, not sure what she was doing on the rocks but I'm sure it was important.