The Courtauld Gallery

Art museum · Strand

The Courtauld Gallery

Art museum · Strand

Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom

Highlights

Discover a hidden gem in Somerset House, where a stunning collection from Monet to Van Gogh awaits in elegantly curated, peaceful surroundings.

Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom Get directions

courtauld.ac.uk

@courtauld

@onthegrid

"Even if you don’t know much about fine art, it’s well worth a visit to the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House; it houses an extensive collection of paintings and drawings owned by the Courtauld Institute of Art, a college of the University of London. Most of the pieces are French Impressionist (Degas, Monet) and Post-Impressionist (van Gogh, Cézanne), but there’s plenty more to explore from other eras, plus a quiet cafe located at basement level. Some of the detail of these historic paintings is exquisite, so the opportunity to get up close and personal is a pretty special thing." - Assembly

On the Grid : Courtauld Gallery

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@afar

"Step Up in Time Tucked away inside the large space of Somerset House, this small gallery leaves a large impression. It houses the collection of the Courtald Institute of Art, astunning set of early 20th-century art with a focus on French Impressionist and Post-impressionist works from the likes of Van Gogh, Cezannes, Degas, Seurat, and Picasso. You'll likely see pieces you've never seen before and quickly be enchanted by the lovely, modest space in which they hang. It's also quiet and rarely overwhelmed with tourists, offering a nice respite away from the hustle and bustle of the Strand shops and theaters of the West End just down the road."

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@katepiot

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Banya Hwang

Google

I no longer live in London, but I got a membership there to ensure access to special exhibitions. I've traveled to London twice just to see Monet, and every special exhibition they host is absolutely worth it. Their permanent collection is incredible, too. While many visitors only go to the big galleries, this one is definitely worth a visit. Plus, they have a great shop downstairs.

M C

Google

We booked our Monet exhibition tickets weeks before our visit. What an amazing experience. I’m not sure if there is a lift but we walked up the 3 flights of stairs to the exhibition. Quite a trek! The exhibition was breathtaking. So many of Monet’s works brought together from all over the world. I did part of my degree on Monet and I had never seen some of these pieces before, even in books! After we did the Monet exhibition and Impressionists, we perused the other floors. Early Renaissance, Baroque, Medieval. It was a feast for the eyes. Thoroughly recommend visiting this beautiful gallery

Alexandra Ștefănescu

Google

Visited for the Monet exhibition and had a lovely time going through the rest of the gallery too! The great blue staircase led us to discover the shop on the cellars which was also fantastic! Highly recommend a visit as long as you book in advance!

Etheria H

Google

I love the staircase of this place so much. Such a beautiful design. The first two floors are for general European art, which is interesting but nothing very impressive. All the impressionists’ paintings, such as Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Renoir, and Van Gogh’s art are displayed on the top floor, and it is too crowded to even take a picture close. They have a special exhibition of Monet’s paintings of London which is worth seeing but you need to buy special tickets for it. If you like French art, I highly recommend this place.

Albert Damdin

Google

Totally worth seeing! Comparing to other museums with paintings it’s pretty cozy, but lovely due to some iconic pieces. Went to this place in November 2024 for Monet’s temporary exhibition as well. There’s also nice and quite big gift shop with some interesting items.

I. Morgan

Google

Nestled within the historic Somerset House on the Strand, The Courtauld Gallery offers an unparalleled journey through art history. Established in 1932, the gallery boasts a world-class collection, particularly renowned for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Visitors can marvel at iconic works such as Édouard Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère” and Vincent van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.” The gallery is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last admission at 5:15 PM. Admission prices are £9.00 on weekdays and £11.00 on weekends. Concessions are available, and notably, teachers receive free entry upon presenting valid identification. For those seeking a deeper understanding of art’s evolution, The Courtauld Gallery is an essential visit. Its manageable size ensures an enriching experience without feeling overwhelming. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual observer, the gallery promises a captivating day amidst some of the world’s most celebrated artworks.

Cole L

Google

An absolute hidden gem close to the galleries at Trafalgar Square. The entrance is small but don't be put off, you can start your journey on the 1st floor and work your way up or go to the top and work your way down. There are an array of past masters such as Van Gogh, Rubens and Lautrec as well as more modern pieces, we were lucky enough to overhear an education talk on Impressionism but there are other free talks. The gift shop in the basement was a bit of a walk due to renovation and holds your typical gallery items, we didn't use the cafe as it seemed a bit overpriced, but there are plenty of places near.

B H

Google

A very easy art gallery to walk around, see everything as its layed out so well so I was able to see everything unlike other larger galleries which I get totally lost in as no sense to the layout. Very quiet, peaceful with beautifully decorated rooms. The ceilings were amazing. Look around you, not just at the painted art.