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National Gallery

Houses one of the world's greatest collections of Western European paintings including works by Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Turner.

National Gallery

About

Free admission to 2,300+ masterpieces spanning 700 years makes this Trafalgar Square treasure London's most democratic cultural institution. Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Leonardo's Virgin of the Rocks, and Turner's Fighting Temeraire anchor a collection where every room reveals why these artists changed how we see the world.

Navigating the Masterpieces

Chronological layout across 66 rooms lets visitors time-travel through art history. Start with medieval gold-leaf altarpieces, progress through Renaissance breakthroughs (Room 2's Leonardos), and climax with Impressionist light-explosions. Must-sees cluster conveniently: Van Gogh's Sunflowers lives near Monet's Water Lilies in the ever-crowded Room 43.

Free hourly talks decode individual paintings' secrets. The Sainsbury Wing houses early Renaissance gems in perfect lighting, while Room 34 showcases British greats—Constable's Hay Wain and Turner's atmospheric experiments.

Beyond Looking

Friday Lates (until 9pm) add wine bars and live music to gallery exploration. Free drawing sessions let visitors sketch from masterpieces, while family workshops introduce art through hands-on activities. The Espresso Bar offers Trafalgar Square views with your cappuccino.

Download the free app for audio tours, use the Sainsbury Wing entrance to avoid crowds, and remember—photography allowed without flash. The gift shop stocks excellent prints, while nearby National Portrait Gallery makes an easy art-doubled day.