National Portrait Gallery Review

This gallery offers a wide range of historically significant portraits from a wide range of historical periods. I came here for exam revision and was not disappointed. The wheelchair access does seem to be lacking and there are restrictions on flash photography to preserve the paintings. The toilet facilities are what lets this place down- they are perfectly clean and are maintained at regular intervals, but there are only three cubicles in the male washroom ( I assume there are more in the female one but I didn't have anyone on hand to check for me). As a result of this, there can be lengthy queues which may cause some discomfort.

Stunning collection of portraits, giving an interesting historical insight.

I visit there at least once every year. I enjoy the paintings and art. Cool place

Closed on rainy cold New Years Day. Waste of time to get there. A reminder to ALWAYS check first. Brits have habit of shutting all or part of major venues you might expect to be open.

It's not the National's poor brother (or sister) but can be an absolute delightful guide to English History -especially highlighting the Royals

Amazing collection of art. Make sure to have afternoon tea since admission is free. Haha

Even with the number of tourists, this place is worth a visit. Lots of portraits of royalty but also so modern portraits.

The National Gallery.If you are art lover then spending time here should be for you. It has some stunning art work. It's free entry and some special galleries are paid if you are interested in the artist but that's optional.Do you need a guide in real life, interested in discounts ,travel, tickets, eating 2for1 offers hire me..

Really enjoyed the contemporary portraits. The restaurant is fabulous

It's a two-fer! History and Art in one compact, interesting museum.

My first visit to this gallery didn't disappoint! Impressive building & such a pleasure to walk around admiring paintings & sculpture.

I really enjoyed my visit here, well laid out showing portraits of all British superstars over the centuries. However little too much bias towards royalty and upper classes, I'd love to see some more works relating to working class life as well.

The National Portrait Gallery is so well laid out with areas organised in chronological order, so you can literally stroll through the history of portraiture from the Tudors to present day. There are so many iconic paintings housed at the gallery, it's a real treat, and free too.

Different place. I observed pictures of the local aristocracy and people famous for the time.

A good history lesson through portraits of the Kings and Queens of England. other more modern ones too. It is a little dated but just read it is closing for renovation. The food in the cafe in the basement was simple, but tasty at a reasonable price.

Just so impressive how greatly done. Impressed, will be back.

2 hours will give you enough time to see everything, but you'll need longer to get the most out of it.

Everything you would expect from the very best of our culture.

Very unfriendly and unhelpful staff. Didn't know about Renaissance. Sadly this has become a tourist trap, not for ordinary folks.

Not only an excellent art gallery, an excellent history lesson as well.

The final portraits room is always good to see but I feel the best part of it really are the new upcoming exhibitions in the rooms before it.

Still worth a day trip.

First time there and there Martin Parr exhibit was super fun

Recently the Martin Parr exhibition, it was really good and a great way to spend a couple of hours. Only downside is that I felt it was quite expensive for what it was.

Always worth a visit if your near by. Taylor Wessing portrait prize was great this year!

One of the better galleries in London. The permanent collection is brilliant and full of a vast collection of pictures of famous people throughout British history. They have some really good events and an amazing restaurant on the top floor serving really good food and brilliant views of Trafalgar square, down to the Houses or Parliament.

It is what it is. A gallery full of portraits. I particularly enjoyed the modern portraits near the entrance!

Could have done with a bit more direction as we didn't know where to start. Cafe in basement ok. Top floor restaurant has great views but is a bit pricey.

Great paintings of great people. Not noisy or over crowded.

Portraits of each and every one of the people who were famous or were part of the history of the UK. For the locals, many of the faces without completely unknown, for those outside, are the majority.

Highly recommend. History depicted in form of paintings

Always love going here. Always something different to see and it is good to see familiar things too. I don t know about you but I always seem to find a detail that I haven t seen before. Was quite busy when we were in. Good to see the portraits of the writers and poets.

It was a huge experienced to look at this interesting paints.

I love coming here whenever I'm in London - I always discover something new.

Great gallery for visitors and locals alike. Regularly shows interesting free exhibitions. Beautiful building

I didn't expect to have been as consumed here as I was. Six hours went by verrry quickly. I am a little methodical in my perusal, so time does go fast.
I would advise paying for the audio guide and start from the very beginning working your way from the Tudors to the 20th Century. The narrative is both illuminative and engaging with a number of laugh out loud moments ( at least I did )
Human nature is unchanging across the centuries in peace and war , love and hate.
The artworks are exquisite as are the subjects and historical snapshots. Do pay attention to subject, content and artists.

Beautiful.
Go early and enjoy.

Simply divine !! I need to go back more often to see everything !!

A wonderful collection of old and new portraits. Many of people well known in today's entertainment world. It's free too! A great day out.

There's always something interesting to go in for and their permanent collection is fantastic

Nice and small you can see the whole thing in one visit :)

Good exhibition. Cafe a bit basic/limited towards the end of the day.

Good place to go on Friday as it's open till 8pm. At present it has a Michael Jackson exhibition and music as well as a portrait awards exhibition. Also fun to walk around the portrait drawing class - free to take part.

Van Gogh's works were very striking. I recommend you to visit.

The gallery has a lot of potential. Despite the fact that the Victorian portraits start blending into each other, the modern gallery is very interesting in the way it showcases different techniques of portraiture. I think the gallery would be more interesting if the portraits were less divided by their date, if it makes sense.

Beautiful pieces of art! The building in itself gives the gallery a raw feel.

Amazing place for art lovers and artists alike, lot's of variaton on the lower floors and classic on the upper and that is all free!

It was good but not magnificent the paintings were really good but I now know I'm just not that bothered by art in painting form but the building is majestic I loved the architecture

Visit here if you like portrait paintings! If portraits are not your thing, then perhaps spend your time elsewhere.

Simply one of my favourite places to visit in London

Great free place to visit if you're staying in London - and open until 6:00 so a little later than the usual museums!

Not massive but worth visiting, give yourself an hour or so.

An amazing collection of paintings by every major artist from the 13th to the 19th centuries makes this free West Ender one of the great collections of the world ; a central location in Trafalgar Square, outstanding gift shops and a good restaurant further propel this museum up the ranks, but overwhelmed patrons say all this mind-blowing art is impossible to view in one visit , especially given some crowded exhibitions

Wonderful revisit of British history. Though to suggest Reese Moggs and Cameron are influential people is a bit OTT.

Absolutely brilliant gallery, great staff and services. I went for the Michael Jackson exhibition, there s always at least 2-3 free exhibits to see.

A must visit if you haven t. In my top 5 gallery s in London.

Beautifully kept gallery with some exceptional works and very reasonably priced special exhibitions as well as free general entry