National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery, National art museum in Westminster, United Kingdom
The National Portrait Gallery displays thousands of painted portraits showing notable British figures from six centuries at St Martin's Place near Trafalgar Square. The rooms spread across several floors inside a Renaissance Revival building with large windows and high ceilings.
Parliament approved the founding in 1856, making it the first national public gallery devoted to portraits anywhere in the world. The building at St Martin's Place opened in 1896, designed by architect Ewan Christian in the Italian Renaissance manner.
Portraits here show monarchs, writers, thinkers and reformers who shaped British public life over the centuries. Walking through the rooms, visitors see how fashion, expression and painting techniques changed as each generation looked at itself.
Opening hours run from 10:30 to 18:00 Sunday through Thursday, with late hours until 21:00 on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, though visitors may want to book online ahead to avoid any wait at the entrance.
During World War II, staff evacuated the entire collection to Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire alongside treasures from the Royal Collection. Today, some rooms use natural daylight from above, which changes how visitors see the colours and brushwork hour by hour.
Location: City of Westminster
Inception: 1856
Architects: Ewan Christian, Richard Allison
Official opening: 1856
Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Part of: National Portrait Gallery Board of Trustees
Address: St. Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30-18:00; Friday-Saturday 10:30-21:00
Phone: +442073060055
Website: http://npg.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.50944,-0.12806
Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:29
National Gallery
65 m
St Martin-in-the-Fields
99 m
London Coliseum
119 m
English National Opera
119 m
Garrick Theatre
63 m
Duke of York's Theatre
73 m
Edith Cavell Memorial
62 m
Statue of James II
125 m
Equestrian statue of George IV
123 m
Christ Child
99 m
Westminster Reference Library
123 m
Statue of Henry Irving
28 m
Irving Street
109 m
Statue of George Washington
88 m
Charing Cross Library
90 m
Bust of Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
127 m
Bust of John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe
129 m
29–30 Leicester Square
89 m
Bust of David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty
119 m
St Martin In The Fields Secondary School
131 m
Cavell House National Westminster Bank
50 m
Churchyard Wall And Railings Adjoining Entrance To Crypt, On North Side Of Church Of St Martin In The Fields
105 m
St Martin's Vicarage
95 m
Ventilation Lamp Standard Numbered 35 On Island North Of Irving Street
78 m
31, St Martin's Lane Wc2
98 m
1, Charing Cross Road Wc2
46 m
St Martin's Vestry Hall
109 m
Churchyard Walls And Railings Surrounding Church Of St Martin In The Fields On North, South, East And West Sides
118 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes