What is it?
Established in 1824 as a new art collection for the enjoyment and education of all, the National Gallery first consisted of 38 pictures, put on display at a house on Pall Mall while a purpose-built gallery was constructed. There are now over 2,300 works of art, from medieval classics to world-famous pieces by the French Impressionists. The new museum opened in 1838, located in Trafalgar Square because it was deemed to be at the heart of London – easy for rich people to visit from the west by carriage and also convenient for poor people coming by foot from east London.
Why go?
Free to visit, the National Gallery is still as welcoming to all as it was in its early years. Anyone can swing by and gaze on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers for ten minutes on their way to work or stay all day and admire JMW Turner’s Bequest or Cézanne’s Bathers.
Don’t miss:
As well as the permanent collection, The National Gallery runs concerts, courses and free talks throughout the year.
When to visit:
Open daily from 10am-6pm, except on Fridays when it stays open until 9pm.
Ticket info:
Entry to the permanent collection is free but tickets to the exhibitions are available from the website.
Time Out tip:
If you want to experience the National Gallery’s collections from the comfort of your own home, try the virtual reality tours on their website. Recently, I’ve explored the selection of paintings chosen by the National Gallery’s Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi, all without leaving the house!