National Portrait Gallery

This a beautiful - and free - museum. There are so many things to see. It is one of my favourite places, even with just a couple of hours to kill, and I have been there many times before. I recently went to see the Francis Bacon exhibition. A fantastic selection of some of his best paintings, coming from all over the world, private and museum's collections. This is a highly recommended, accessible place to go if you are in the area.

It’s great to be able to visit here in London without paying any entrance fee (except the special exhibition of Francis Bacon)! I spent there more than two hours to see all paintings presented quickly. So, you would need more time if you would like to every piece in peace by reading more info than I did. In the first floor, there’s a huge collection of the portraits of Tudors. Similarly, other royal family members‘ portraits take remarkable amount of space, but it’s good to refresh your memory about all the host of the UK. There was only section allocated for the members for pre-view of a new collection. So, be aware of that you may not get in there :)

A must visit gallery, a beautiful collection of portraits from different eras and styles, classical pieces and modern too. A three story building, you will need at least two hours to finish the whole gallery. The National portrait gallery is so inspiring, thoughtful and offers this beautiful experience for free, photography is allowed. I highly recommend it.

The National Portrait Gallery in London is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located just steps away from Trafalgar Square, this gallery is home to an impressive collection of portraits, spanning centuries of British history. It beautifully weaves together art, culture, and history, allowing visitors to explore the stories behind some of the most influential figures in British history—ranging from royalty and literary greats to contemporary icons. The gallery is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through different eras, each section offering a window into the life and times of its subjects. The curated exhibitions often provide fresh perspectives on familiar figures, while the permanent collection is a treasure trove that includes famous works like the portraits of Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, and contemporary figures like David Hockney. The recently renovated spaces add a modern touch, yet the gallery retains its classic charm. The staff is knowledgeable and approachable, providing insights into the artworks and their historical contexts. Additionally, the gallery’s café and gift shop offer a pleasant break during your visit, with quality food and unique art-inspired souvenirs. Overall, the National Portrait Gallery offers a rich cultural experience, making it a great destination for anyone interested in art and history. It’s a place where the past and present converge, offering inspiration and insight into Britain’s diverse heritage.

Fantastic museum with portraits from the renaissance to modern times. I enjoyed the special exhibition on portraits by Francis Bacon (1909-1992), which includes some of his greatest paintings. The permanent collection offers many discoveries and some outstanding portraits by the likes of John Singer Sargent and David Hockney, to mention just two of the many brilliant artists.

This first-rate museum deserves its world-class reputation. The Francis Bacon show was terrific and every single volunteer and staff member I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great visit and joy to you all in 2025.

Entrance is free but they request a 5 euro donation upon entering. The building is multiple floors with many portraits. If you get in line for the national gallery you're in the wrong place, it is located in the back. I thought there would be more photography, but they have a mixture of paintings, photography and sculptures. My favorite part of the gallery was the contemporary portraits which you can vote on for best viewers choice. The oddest thing is the facial sculpture that is refrigerated as it is made from the artists own bodily fluids. Overall, cool experience! Would recommend stopping by!

A wonderful pictorial history of the great and some not so good figures in British history. I've posted some below: Captain Sir John Alcock who, together with Arthur Brown, made the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919, the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny in 1857, and Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, who defeated the Dervishes in Sudan. Allow plenty of time. We didn't have a chance to see all the galleries.

This a beautiful - and free - museum. There are so many things to see. It is one of my favourite places, even with just a couple of hours to kill, and I have been there many times before. I recently went to see the Francis Bacon exhibition. A fantastic selection of some of his best paintings, coming from all over the world, private and museum's collections. This is a highly recommended, accessible place to go if you are in the area.

It’s great to be able to visit here in London without paying any entrance fee (except the special exhibition of Francis Bacon)! I spent there more than two hours to see all paintings presented quickly. So, you would need more time if you would like to every piece in peace by reading more info than I did. In the first floor, there’s a huge collection of the portraits of Tudors. Similarly, other royal family members‘ portraits take remarkable amount of space, but it’s good to refresh your memory about all the host of the UK. There was only section allocated for the members for pre-view of a new collection. So, be aware of that you may not get in there :)

A must visit gallery, a beautiful collection of portraits from different eras and styles, classical pieces and modern too. A three story building, you will need at least two hours to finish the whole gallery. The National portrait gallery is so inspiring, thoughtful and offers this beautiful experience for free, photography is allowed. I highly recommend it.

The National Portrait Gallery in London is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located just steps away from Trafalgar Square, this gallery is home to an impressive collection of portraits, spanning centuries of British history. It beautifully weaves together art, culture, and history, allowing visitors to explore the stories behind some of the most influential figures in British history—ranging from royalty and literary greats to contemporary icons. The gallery is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through different eras, each section offering a window into the life and times of its subjects. The curated exhibitions often provide fresh perspectives on familiar figures, while the permanent collection is a treasure trove that includes famous works like the portraits of Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, and contemporary figures like David Hockney. The recently renovated spaces add a modern touch, yet the gallery retains its classic charm. The staff is knowledgeable and approachable, providing insights into the artworks and their historical contexts. Additionally, the gallery’s café and gift shop offer a pleasant break during your visit, with quality food and unique art-inspired souvenirs. Overall, the National Portrait Gallery offers a rich cultural experience, making it a great destination for anyone interested in art and history. It’s a place where the past and present converge, offering inspiration and insight into Britain’s diverse heritage.

Fantastic museum with portraits from the renaissance to modern times. I enjoyed the special exhibition on portraits by Francis Bacon (1909-1992), which includes some of his greatest paintings. The permanent collection offers many discoveries and some outstanding portraits by the likes of John Singer Sargent and David Hockney, to mention just two of the many brilliant artists.

This first-rate museum deserves its world-class reputation. The Francis Bacon show was terrific and every single volunteer and staff member I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great visit and joy to you all in 2025.

Entrance is free but they request a 5 euro donation upon entering. The building is multiple floors with many portraits. If you get in line for the national gallery you're in the wrong place, it is located in the back. I thought there would be more photography, but they have a mixture of paintings, photography and sculptures. My favorite part of the gallery was the contemporary portraits which you can vote on for best viewers choice. The oddest thing is the facial sculpture that is refrigerated as it is made from the artists own bodily fluids. Overall, cool experience! Would recommend stopping by!

A wonderful pictorial history of the great and some not so good figures in British history. I've posted some below: Captain Sir John Alcock who, together with Arthur Brown, made the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919, the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny in 1857, and Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, who defeated the Dervishes in Sudan. Allow plenty of time. We didn't have a chance to see all the galleries.

A must stop when in London, there's a tube station right next door. That exits into Trafalgar Square, then it's a direct walk I to the museum. Opens at 1030 am, free entry they do take donations. I had a map that showed the layout and what rooms the paintings were in... with limited time I had a plan view what I could. Monet's paintings were amazing by far my favorite artist. Van Gogh's sunflowers and two crabs were colorful and breathtaking. So many other great works to check out. Bathrooms are on the bottom floor along with a restaurant.

Mistakenly, I thought I'd previously been to the National Portrait Gallery and in those mistaken thoughts, I (mis)remembered not caring much for it. I returned under the false assumption that I was visiting a place I to see if I could conjure up better feelings about it only to find that I'd not ever been before, had confused it with someplace else, and loved the entire experience. So much for memories. Like most museums in London, the National Portrait Gallery is free to enter, automatically raising its attractiveness. Once inside, there are some exhibits that do require fees to enter but there's also so much here that if you don't spring for anything else you'll still likely leave completely sated. Having gotten into painting and drawing from a model over the past few years what's here proved of great interest to me but, like any great museum, there's so much more than just the art itself. There's a lot to read about different exhibits and artists and I left before I was anywhere near through with the place. My attention span only lasts so long. London is chock-full of the most excellent museums. The National Portrait Gallery is one amongst many, but one that should not be missed.

Gayle and I only scratched the surface of the National Portrait Gallery during our recent visit to London. To start, we had Lunch at their Portrait restaurant and then we wandered around, and mostly concentrated on the time period between Henry VIII and Charles II (with Oliver Cromwell and the execution of Charles I in between). And yes, there was so much more. We also admired the portrait of William and Kate, and spent some quality time in the gift shop, of which several items hinted at previous exhibitions (like Paul McCartney). One side of the Gallery faces Trafalgar square. And on one subsequent evening, we had the pleasure of seeing the National Portrait Gallery lit up as part of its 200-year anniversary celebration.

Entrance is free but they request a 5 euro donation upon entering. The building is multiple floors with many portraits. If you get in line for the national gallery you're in the wrong place, it is located in the back. I thought there would be more photography, but they have a mixture of paintings, photography and sculptures. My favorite part of the gallery was the contemporary portraits which you can vote on for best viewers choice. The oddest thing is the facial sculpture that is refrigerated as it is made from the artists own bodily fluids. Overall, cool experience! Would recommend stopping by!

We were here to explore the collection of portraits from David Hockney that is on display as of December 2023, and had a chance to visit parts of the main exhibition too (primarily 20th century). Worth a stop, and - depending on how deep you want to go - you may spend anywhere upwards from 1h exploring the collection. PSA: Book your tickets to specific exhibits ahead of time (timed slots).

Having heard the NPG reopened recently after a period of renovation, I was curious to visit since I'd heard there were some noteworthy portraits on display. You can book free time slot admissions online--admission is free, donations are encouraged, though when I arrived clearly no one was checking and the front desk said those time slots would apply mainly when the museum was booked to capacity which normally it is not. On a Friday afternoon it was sufficiently crowded that I felt necessary to mask (since Covid and RSV are still a thing, and nothing's worse than traveling sick). For a smaller museum, relatively speaking in comparison to the larger National Gallery next door, the V&A or the British Museum, this one is quite viewable in a couple hours or up to several hours if you'd like to be more thorough and read thru descriptions and historical displays. The collections are arranged chronologically from top floor down, and the website is very well designed to provide all the info a visitor could need. In the modern sections, I'm impressed that there is a noticeable effort to present portraits by people of different backgrounds who have contributed to the creative development of British portraiture. My one small ding is bathrooms seem rather small for a museum of this size/capacity but otherwise I enjoyed my 1.5 hours here!

Free & very busy museum b hind the National Gallery. We started on at the 3rd floor with the oldest hand painted portraits & worked our way down to contemporary photographs, paintings & busts. I particularly enjoyed the portraits of the royals, musicians & authors.

The redesign is wonderful! And the space really works to its best. Busy cafe and shop, and such amazing art. Every floor is delightful. Such a wonderful time. Enjoy!

This was the first place we visited after landing in London. We got there towards the end of the day and therefor only had about an hour and a half before they would close for the day. It also happened to be a monday so the crowds were smaller but also it was raining outside so that kind of factor in late crowds. It was very easy to get there by tube and it is very hard to miss the entrance. There are lots of tourist in the area so beware of pick pocketers. I myself love going to museums and when I was doing my research on the museums and I found out it was free/pay what you can I got even more excited about my trip. I like this concept because you can browse at your own pace and not feel like 'you have to get your moneys worth' because you paid and waited in line. I love art and I already knew what i wanted to see when I visited the gallery so I did not waste any time. I did have to figure out the layout/organization of the museum because i did not see any maps when I arrived. I did ask a couple of the staff some questions on where certain paintings were located and to my surprise they were very knowledgeable. Overall I really recommend coming here when visiting london because it is free admission (donations encouraged) and its near a popular part of the city you can explore.

Loved my visit here. A must for art lovers, especially obviously portrait lovers. Largest portrait collection in a museum in the world. Great Paul McCartney exhibit right now with some of his personal photos. Overall, nice mix of historical and modern portraiture. Nice lay out and easy to navigate. I can't say enough good things about it. Open in the evenings and that was a great time to come with no crowds. We paid to add on the McCartney exhibit, but otherwise free admission for all!

Absolutely unbeatable. Room after room of the most incredible portraits. Inspiring and breathtaking. The queues can be long so get there early. But well worth it regardless

Practically every historical British figure from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Elton John is represented in a painting, etching, photo or sculpture here ... and, like the other national museums in London, it's FREE! Take the escalator to the top floor and work your way forward in history from the Tudors (16th Century) to the Stuarts (17th Century) and on to the Victorian era and present day (both on the next floor down). Notable residents include Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Oliver Cromwell, Victoria, Charles Darwin and Dickens, the Bröntes, Jane Austen, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Fergie, Paul McCartney, and Elton John among many others. Looking at the National Gallery from Trafalgar Square, the National Portrait Gallery is around the back via the street on your right. Visiting both in the same day is logistically a more sound option. If feeling a bit peckish (that's "hungry" for us Yanks), head across the street to the Cafe in the Crypt under the prominent St. Martin in the Fields church for a reasonably priced meal, snack or drink in the ancient burial place with tomb stones under the tables snd chairs oddly enough. The only reason I do not award my maximum score, 10 Bombs, is because, like most museums, it is poorly laid out, making you bounce around from side to side instead of following a simple one way path. CombatCritic Gives National Portrait Gallery 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

I loved the time I spent here! They have some absolute treasures and do a great job of separating them by time period. If you have limited time like I did, you can skip right to the place you want to see, which for me was the Tudors. In a lovely gesture by the city of London, admission is free. Though a £5 donation is suggested. This is great because even if you are strapped for time you don't have to feel as though you have to stay to "get your money's worth." Nothing to lose! The people running the gallery have linked up with an app called Smartify which is really cool. Basically you just scan any painting with the app and the app tells you some cool facts about it. The museum is centrally located in Trafalgar Square. If you're walking around the square, pop in and check out some treasures!

It's just around the corner of the National Gallery / Trafalgar Square. It had more paintings, and some statues as well. If you're right there, it's worth checking out for 30-60 minutes. It felt like an extension of the National Gallery, except a lot less crowded. Not many people know about it. The gallery is also free / give-what-you-can.

To be honest, I wasn't too impressed with this gallery. There were just bunch of paintings on the walls but not much information to go with each painting. I guess I kind of expect it to be like a museum where there are placards that go with each artwork to give you an idea of who these artists were and why the artwork was/is special. Instead, they are just all spread out without any historic information or context. I felt a little lost in this gallery.

The National Portait Gallery is always a great place to visit, especially in rainy weather. The selection of portraits in painted, sculpted or photographed form, from Tudor times to the present, is as vast as it is distinguished. Except for certain temporary exhibitions, the entry is free and you can take photos of almost all of the objects (except a few contemporary ones). I visited during the annual "BP Artist of the Year Award" display, which again is free of charge, and the nominated and awarded paintings never fail to impress. Bag searches are now obligatory at any public place in London, and the National Portrait Gallery is no exception. It can be a strain on the tourist's nerves, going from gallery to gallery, from museum to museum, from theatre to theatre - I maxed out at 8 bag searches in one day. But it's necessary. The NPG has no separate café, but the one of the National Gallery is just next door. There's a relatively small gift shop, too.

Love this Gallery. The portraits all have a tale to tell. Love the history attached to each one too. You could spend a whole day here or a couple of hours and come back again and again. What better way to spend a rainy day, and many people thought so too today, so went upstairs to the second floor which seemed a little less people and checked out the Stuarts and religion. Love the history of the Kings and Queens of Britain, and especially the Stuarts reign for over a century is a really exciting and interesting time. Also great to place King James I of the famous "King James Bible", an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England. It's free to wander around the portraits. Only the exhibitions are paid entry. There's plenty of seating around so you can sit and admire or contemplate the art while having a little rest.

I absolutely loved the National Portrait Gallery! So many art pieces that really stuck out! We also purchased the Michael Jackson: Off The Wall Experience and that just put the ultimate cherry on top for our experience there. Although I was slightly upset that I wasn't allowed to bring my jacket, I love there courtesy locker system that they had on the floor below to leave our belongings. Nonetheless, the gallery for Michael Jackson is what impressed me the most as he is one of my favorite artists of all time. This should definitely be on your to-do list if you ever are visiting London

The National Portrait Gallery was on my list since my last visit to London and I made it here during a long day of walking and museum visits. This is a distinct building with long long escalators and galleries on several floors. It's all very modern and bright -- in contrast to the other museums: hard floors, white walls, glass and chrome. The portraits are all fantastic -- and a wide variety of subjects, time periods and artistic skill. I really enjoyed walking through and studying all the different pictures. There are so many portraits you really can't go wrong if you just skip rooms that are too full of tourists and spend time where there are emptier galleries with less noise and more space for enjoying the artwork. And... it's free so just stroll and enjoy!

Truly excellent collection of portraits in paintings, photos, and sculptures! We very much enjoyed this magnificent collection. I could easily spend more time here. The Portrait Cafe has wonderful Egyptian Chamomile tea and orange polenta cake. Nummy!

I do love Art, but Portraits aren't my favourite. It could also be that I'm not as familiar with people whose portraits hang in this museum. It is very well curated, but on my last few visits the Tudor section was under some re-arrangment, so I haven't yet been able to see the section that I'm most interested in. This gallery too has a regularly rotating series of special exhibitions. There was one where the artist had made a 3D sculpture of his own bust with his own blood! Mega creepy or high art? I much prefer the National Gallery around the corner.

I'm not an art person despite my best efforts, but I am a people person. The National Portrait Gallery is now my favourite gallery. Hands down. If you're interested in portraits, self portraits, holograms and modern twists on famous faces this museum is for you. If you want to see Tudor portraits of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Elizabeth that have hung in London for hundreds of years, this museum is for you. If you want to be moved by art *for free* in the middle of Trafalgar this museum is for you.

In any other city, this is probably the best museum, and almost certainly the best free one. In London, it has competition but it's still always worth a visit. This was my first in two years, long enough for old favorites to seem new again -- the walk through British history via portraits of past leaders is always delightful -- and to find plenty of new work, including in the always-impressive annual portrait competition.

I've been to London four times, and each time I've gone to the National Portrait Gallery. It features portraits (obviously) of famous British figures from the past to the present. I don't even have a good reason to why I go here every time I'm in London. I just seem to end up in Trafalgar Square at some point, and then I go into the National Portrait Gallery, because it's free and why not? On my recent visit I was here with a friend, who hadn't been to the National Gallery. She's been watching The Crown on Netflix and was pretty excited to come here and see some of the portraits featured on the show (or talked about I guess...I haven't watched The Crown). I just like coming here and I'm not much of an art person, and I don't know a lot of British history (I'm Canadian, so I know some of the highlights, but not everything). I still manage to learn a little bit. If you're in the area I'd pop in for a visit.

I'm not really all that sure why it is that I ended up here, though I suspect that it had something to do seeing the advertisement on pretty much all of the tube stations that I visited. Honestly, I really didn't think all that much of it namely because it is basically a collection of portraits, usually of monarchs and other important people. Sure, you can wander through here and play guessing games, but I probably entered not really knowing what to expect, and that was basically just portraits. In was only when I got back to Australia that I realised (and was told by a friend), that it was the national Gallery that I was looking for.

It's easy to take in the National Portrait Gallery since it's centrally located in Trafalger Square and literally right next to the National Gallery. Portraits may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I guarantee you'll find something that interests you. I found myself drawn mostly to 20th century portraits - David Bowie, Judy Dench, Joe Orton to name a few. There were others I also enjoyed including a portrait of William Wilberforce, an anti-slavery crusader and the subject of the 2006 film Amazing Grace. There's also a striking and riveting portrait of the actor Edmund Kean in the role of Brutus, speaking to his son Titus who he has condemned to execution, a powerful and fascinating story. It's worth a stop for an hour or two, especially since it's free.

As a lover of all things Tudor and Victorian, I must recommend the National Portrait Gallery with vigor! I honestly spent more hours in here than the British Museum, and I'm not sorry. There were significantly fewer crowds and so many intriguing portraits. Also, great clean bathrooms and plenty of benches to rest on.

I would describe the collection of the National Portrait Gallery as better than 3 stars or A-OK, and not quite 4 stars or I'm a fan. I'll say it's a firm 3.5 stars. I do recommend a visit, and here are some key points to keep in mind when you do. The first thing that visitors to the NPG should know is that the portraiture is not selected for its quality. Rather, they are selected for their subjects. Thus, if you are looking for truly extraordinary examples of photography or painting, you might be slightly disappointed. However, if you prefer to walk into a gallery and see art that focuses strictly on people, and especially famous faces, then you'll feel right at home. Next, the entire collection of the NPG includes approixmately 120,000 portraits. The collection will rotate what is featured. This is necessary to preserve the integrity of the portraits and especially the photographic portraits. Why, you ask? Look at your oldest family snapshots. Do you notice how they have faded? There is your answer. If there is something you feel you must see, check the website to find out what is currently on display. Your "must see" portrait may be currently archived, in restoration, or currently out of loan. For example, my "must see" portrait has been out on loan since 2005. Who knows when it will return and be displayed again. Another point to keep in mind is that the approximately 1,400 portraits that will be featured during your visit, all will be displayed in their corresponding historical period. This will begin with the religious effigies from Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral on the Medieval stairs (1291-1519) and move into the gallery rooms... Tudor and Elizabethan (1485-1603) rooms 1-3 Stuart and Civil War (1603-1714) rooms 4-8 Georgian (King Georges I, II, III) rooms 9-14 Regency (King George IV-1837) rooms 17-20 Victorian and Edwardian (1837-1910) rooms 21-29 20th Century (WWI-1989) rooms 30-33 Contemporary (1990-2009) rooms 35+ The gallery space was doubled in 2000, to usher in the new millennium, when Queen Elizabeth opened the Ondaatje Wing. Here is where you will find the Tudor Gallery which houses a portrait of William Shakespeare that the NPG acquired in 1856. The rooms feature centuries of British Monarchs with the occasional literary or artistic personality placed in their appropriate historical context. The Balcony Gallery in this wing is a tangent off into the world of contemporary celebrity, featuring the faces of the famous. Right here is where I learned that Mick Jagger is, in fact, formally known as Sir Michael Phillip Jagger. While that is information I will mostly likely never use, it was interesting to learn. Over the years I have visited the NPG a number of times and here are some links to my favourite portraits that I've seen... Christopher Robin Milne with Pooh Bear http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=731rMt_17EgnEwtjyRgdvw (The Royal Corgis) The Royal Family: A Centenary Portrait http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=YnRvH49ttFPXO6PBNexz4g The Princess of Wales http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=84DM1UZGdfeHmE95SqqqKg Benjamin Zephanian http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=EFxwm7kClyCENkJK1PKo4g (Royal Corgi with) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=OSsy67QPAw2AJMMdqoYuOg The Last Thing I Said to You is Don't Leave Me Here. 1 http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/uNBw-V4ZYn-cXt4fc9Jw9Q?select=NW9iXU8ET4rOyyAyg72HxA Other importants facts you should know if you are planning on visiting are the following... -Gallery hours daily 10:00-18:00 -Thursday and Friday open until 21:00 -Admission is free -Special exhibitions are fee based and free 1 hour before closing -Portrait Cafe is cozy and contemporary with good tea and pastries -Portrait Restaurant offers gorgeous panoramic views, an upscale bar and restaurant atmosphere, excellent service and an overall pleasant dining experience. However, it's closed for renovation until 1 March 2009. As such, nothing I can tell you now will be relevant when you visit. I'll update after the rennovations are completed and I have the opportunity to dine here again. The National Portrait Gallery may not be on your list of the trendiest art galleries, but if you are a fan of photography or other forms of portraiture, it definitely merits a visit.

Absolutely brilliant, and free to boot. I actually preferred the Portrait Gallery to the National Gallery next door, which I visited a couple days later. I will say that I'm not all that informed about art, so this is purely a plebeian perspective. Still, I know what's pretty and what's interesting, and I loved both the works and the set-up of this museum. While the artists were for the most part less emphasized than the subjects, a quirk of this museum that I found intriguing, some of the works were truly remarkable as art. The space is easy to navigate, with rooms numbered in a chronological walk of famous faces. This organization made the Portrait Gallery into a splendid digestible slice of history, and I felt I was learning a lot as I ambled through. I also had a great time playing "Hot or Not" as I judged the various portraits. Not out loud, mind you, but I'm immature and it made the experience all the more enjoyable.

This place has anything and everything of portraits of English people, famous and non famous, and from the aristocrats to the emancipated slaves in the 19th century. The 20th century portraits are pretty decent including a nice Princess Diana and Prince Charles in the 1st floor. And it's FREE to enter so if you're doing the National Gallery, you should do this museum as well. There really is no logical method when coming here. When you start your tour on the second level, there's no real smooth path as you transfer from one room to the rest. It's physically located in the same building as the National Gallery (different entrance/exit) but the tour at the National Gallery seemed to flow better. So you would have transverse back and see the same portraits you just saw a few minutes earlier to get to the next room. Their oldest works are also my favorite exhibit, The Tudors section of the Portrait Gallery. I've already lost count of the number of kings during this time period but there is a nice portrait of Anne Bolyen there dating back to the 15th century. The Queen Elizabeth exhibit is an extra, pay exhibit, but if you have the London Pass, it is essentially free for you guys to go. It's normally £6 to enter. But it's a small exhibit of about 2-3 rooms and that will probably last you no more than 15 minutes, so it's something to think about shelling out £6 if you don't have the London Pass. But this exhibit has several portraits of Queen Elizabeth including 4 made by Andy Warhol, with the same style he did for Maryln Monroe with the multi colors effect. Also a nice photo by Annie Liebowitz is shown at the end. Sorry, I wish I could have taken some of these photos to show. But all the rest of the exhibit shows Queen Elizabeth including several coronation film footages and portraits in 1952 and 1953.

Wow! What a treasure! I honestly could have spent all day in there. So much history in those portraits! The collection of Tudor portraits was incredible. Also, tons of busts if you're one for sculpture. Free admission and photograph is allowed of individual works.

Free and much more interesting than the gallery in my opinion. The gallery is great, don't get me wrong, but it is full of art from different places and sometimes it's just overwhelming since you're trying to get through every period that it all kind of meshes together. The nice thing about portraits is that ... well they're pictures of PEOPLE. People are generally interesting, there's some great art to the art of pictures of people. They're sometimes people you know, people you recognize, or people who draw out some human emotion in you that you never thought you could feel outside of a situation. Best of all, it's FREE. Yes I am still amazed at this free thing going on with London. So amazing! You can also buy their prints here, well ... some of them. I just think this is a great place to gain an appreciation for people. Perhaps sometimes the people behind the arts in the gallery.

First of all...it's free. Can't beat the price. The portraits in this museum are beautiful. Most are paintings, but there are a few that are photographs. From royalty to writers to musicians, this gallery has a wonderful array of subjects represented. There's also a restaurant at the top floor that has a spectacular view of London. ...and it's FREE!

I think there was a Guardian article some time back that referred to the NPG as "shiny" and "new." I don't know what it was like in past times but I can say it did seem very new-ish indeed. Where else can you see accurate representations of Mary Tudor, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, John Henry Newman, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Jane Austen, and other luminaries of the English-speaking world? As with many museums in London, the price is too right for you to miss it.

Afternoon Tea at the Portrait Gallery followed by a walk-through the exhibits. Delicious food and drink, stunning views. Would highly recommend and would definitely come back.

So like. I wish that someone told me that taking pictures in this place is almost illegal. It would've saved me from being an embarrassed tourist on my first day in London. Yep. Oh well. I'll post the pictures anyway. On the other hand, this place is amazingly cultured and it is FREE! Something you would hardly see here in the money hungry states. There are multiple levels of different types of art, including contemporary, sculptures, and portraits of important people. Don't ask me, cause I wouldn't remember. Hence, the pictures.

We popped in on a Friday evening. The museum was crowded with people sitting on the floor and drawing portraits. It was an open drawing night which we found a great concept ! We visited the exhibition "Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2012" and admired the works of some of great photographers of 2012. The portrait of the 7 weeks old daughter of a photographer who looked very seriously in the camera impressed us a lot! The baby has a facial expression like an elderly woman! This museum is a wonderful place to visit. I highly recommend it.

I went to see the Vogue exhibition, it was absolutely fantastic. They always curate high quality exhibitions that I thoroughly enjoy. It was really crowded though but it was on the last day so that's expected.

With a free entrance, a huge selection of portrait works of every medium: painting, sculpture, video, and photography, the National Portrait Gallery is always worth a stop. The upper floors consist of the older paintings, think of endless portraits of the Royal family from the Tudors to now, while the lower floors hold the contemporary art work and special exhibitions. I have always come here to view the amazing photography exhibitions they host. With photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Lee Miller, to Annie Leibovitz, you can be sure the shows will never disappoint. I recently went to view the free Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize exhibition, and I did really enjoy it. If you have an interest in photography and want to view some of the biggest photographers of the moment, I would recommend popping in. The lower floors also have a cloakroom, bookshop, and cafe if you are in need of any of those. The cafe is cute, but overpriced like most other free museums. I guess this is where they catch up on their free entrance!

This review is more about the National Portrait Gallery Cafe which is on the lower level. Its surrounded by the book store and has a ceiling of glass which creates a really cool feel. Its a super small car, most likely because of the larger National Gallery and its cafe next door. There could possibly be another in the Portrait gallery but this was the one we saw from the street. I imagined while there that it would be a wonderful cafe to read a book in while it was raining outside, and therefore raining on the glass ceiling above ones head... not since this was my imagination I have no idea if it would be too loud with the rain... but needless to say it was quaint little cafe with strong rick coffee and fresh yummy pastries. I had a delicious almond cake. The quaint size is also its downfall it was rather full after we had been there a while.

It wasn't until comparitively recently that portraiture has been considered one of the higher art forms. Traditionally portraits were used to indicate the power, privilege and wealth of the higher classes - those that could afford to pay an artist. However as artisitic interpretation became more open and accessible the popularity of portraiture has grown and with the advent of photography and the camera, portraits have become such an indelible part of our cultural identity and so omnipresent in society that one can scarcely afford to ignore the power of the human face as art. The National Portrait gallery, nestling comfortably next to it's larger sister the National Gallery, is one of the best places to witness the evolution and changing practices of this hugely influential art form. Personally I've have always been intrigued by the hidden secrets that lie within portraits, the way a seemingly infallible thing like a photograph can tell so many varied and often contradictory tales. Today we look at portraiture everyday without a thought, it is printed on billboards, coins, television sets, and passports - it is an art form that pervades our lives daily and as such is something that we should all take a little time to consider. The gallery space itself is cosier than most; with warm wooden flooring and dark walls The National Portrait Galery stands in sharp contrast to many of it's more modern counterparts and, for me, provides a more relaxing atmosphere. Downstairs you can also find a coffee shop/cafeteria should you find yourself in need of refreshment. Though this gallery is not as well known nor as cavernous as other galleries in London it is certainly of equal importance and will provide you with a fantastic insight into the way we perceive the human face.

I was very excited to visit the National Portrait Gallery on my recent trip to London with my parents. I thoroughly enjoyed the portraits of former monarchs. I was particularly captivated by the portraits of the queens, and the Tudor and Stuart galleries. Sadly, we'd planned to view the Picasso portraits exhibit but ran out of time. The collection is huge and you could easily spend several hours taking it all in. It's a do-not-miss museum for anyone interested in British history. Be aware that there are lots of portraits of lesser known British political figures on display as well.

National Portrait Gallery is a significantly large museum that has a very authentic London look on the outside and the charm of 21st century inside. Just this fact makes me understand what Prince Charles' strategy really meant for London, which was to marry history and modernism in the best way possible. I was lucky enough to have free tickets to an event here with free drinks at the bar area and I truly enjoyed my time here. Although I'm not a big art person, I did appreciate my surroundings, which included the music that was played by an in-house DJ. This place is a must visit if you want to impress an artsy tourist with London can offer!

I don't know how I made it 7 years in London without going to the National Portrait Gallery, but I corrected that yesterday. It's fabulous. Attached to the National gallery, the Portrait Gallery is a bit more modern inside. It's spacious, appropriately lit, and an attractive interior all on its own without being ornate. The title says it all: if you like paintings and photographs of people - and sometimes you do want to see human expressions rather than vague dabs of colour representing something abstract - then this is your place. The place is helpfully categorised: some by age, some by subject. There are always special or touring exhibits, too: yesterday I saw "Brilliant Women" (paintings of 18th-century feminist writers and thinkers), photos by Yousuf Karsh, Donald MacLellan's photos of black actors, Bryan Adams's "Modern Muses", and lots more. And a special feature not everyone knows about: go to the Portrait Restaurant (http://www.npg.org.uk/live/portrest.asp) up on the 3rd floor. There's a really nice panoramic view over the roof of the National Gallery and of the buildings around Trafalgar Square: Nelson's Column, St Martin's church, down to Big Ben, the Eye, etc. It's a slightly fancy, and pricey, place, yes, but if you don't want to drop £5 on scones and jam just have a cup of tea for £2.25 while you study the skyline.

One of my favourite galleries I esp love the Tudor Gallery of portraits (up the escalator) Tip to show you how important these paintings are : choose one, then choose one small section of that painting - say 20cm square - & look at the intricate painting contained within that space. They were consumate masters! (there are few contemporaries who can compare) I also love the yearly Portrait Awards : such talent

The National Portrait Gallery has nearly 1400 portraits on display. There are approximately 42 rooms housing various collections dating back to the Tudor and Elizabethan periods from 1485. Other collections are from the Stuart period, English Civil War, Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian, 20th Century, and Contemporary Collections in a variety of mediums. The museum opened in 1856 and it was the first portrait gallery in the world. What is more amazing about this museum is that it is free of charge. Donations are appreciated. The Portrait Restaurant on the 3rd floor has a beautiful view of the London skyline. Have afternoon tea, a cocktail, or a glass of wine while you are enjoying the National Portrait Gallery. www.npg.org.uk

I do love Art. Tucked behind the National Gallery is this hidden gem. Well worth the visit. I love this place. It is so peaceful, probably because most people are at the National Gallery. There are always exhibitions going on, both free and paid. There are both sculptures & portraits and the gallery is split into eras. A hardly known fact about this place is that they have a Free Drop-in Drawing session every Friday night with different artist. http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/events-calendar.php?filterDate=&eventSearch=Drop-in+Drawing&eventType=Event&eventKeyword=Drawing&eventsSubmit.x=19&eventsSubmit.y=8 They give you the art supplies and they are happy if you drop in for 10 mins or stay the whole session. The artists are welcoming and happy to help with any difficulties you have with your portrait drawing. I went with a group of friends who all had different drawing experiences, and we each had a lot of fun.

Arguably, the best museum in London is the National Gallery, which incredibly is free to enter. The National Portrait Gallery sits adjacent to it and is often dismissed or missed by people but that would be a shame. Again, entrance is free so nothing is lost if you don't like what you see. The exhibits are divided into time periods and you can see pictures of contemporary people if you don't like historical characters. There is a variety of styles presented including photo prints. Whereas I'm a great fan of Canalettos and Constables in the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery gives a much more intimate feel to reflect on pictures of individuals. It's a nice contrast to the great vistas you'll see in the National Gallery

The best thing about viewing and admiring portraits is that you are looking at a picture of a (presumably) significant human being. The portrait actually reflects a person who lived/lives an amazing life with likewise interesting stories. My mind went crazy recounting the crazy histories of the British royalty (past and present) and I was in deep adoration for the pictures of pop icon figures. In my opinion, I think that the National Portrait Gallery is pretty unique in what type of art it offers and I also think that the gallery space is brilliantly planned (I really like the escalator ride up to the top floor). Admission is free but my favorite part of the experience is the gift shop where you can spend the money you saved on free admission on postcard prints of your favorite portraits!