National Portrait Gallery

#19

The National Portrait Gallery tells Britain's story person by person. Begin with Tudors-Holbein's world of power-and seek out NPG 1, the debated 'Chandos' Shakespeare. Newly reopened after a £41m renewal, the route flows cleanly to the present, where contemporary sitters broaden who is seen and how. Tracey Emin's bronze doors of 45 women set the tone before you step inside. Labels reveal artist-sitter pairings and why each face matters. Entry is free; book ahead for smooth arrival. Allow 60-90 minutes for a thoughtful loop, then drift to Trafalgar Square or the National Gallery next door to keep the conversation going.

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Opening Hours

Sunday: 10:30 – 18:00

Monday: 10:30 – 18:00

Tuesday: 10:30 – 18:00

Wednesday: 10:30 – 18:00

Thursday: 10:30 – 18:00

Friday: 10:30 – 21:00

Saturday: 10:30 – 21:00

What's not to miss inside?

Emin Entrance

45 bronze ‘everywomen’

Tracey Emin’s 2023 bronze doors - 45 female faces - welcome you to the refreshed Gallery.

Step back across the forecourt to frame all three doors in one shot.

📍 Ross Place, main doors

Tudor Power

Earliest painted portrait

See the 1505 panel of Henry VII and Holbein’s court circle that set the Tudor image machine in motion.

Look for ultra-fine costume details painted with squirrel-hair brushes.

📍 Tudor galleries

NPG 1: Shakespeare

First work acquired

The ‘Chandos portrait’ was the Gallery’s first acquisition in 1856 - and the most argued-over face in English letters.

Compare engravings from the First Folio to spot likeness clues.

📍 Early modern rooms

Faces of Now

Rehang after 2023 refit

From Malala to Marcus Rashford and Amy Winehouse, recent portraits show a changing, diverse Britain.

Read wall labels for the sitter-artist pairing and the story it tells.

📍 Contemporary rooms

Gallery Flow

Refurbished circulation

The £41m renewal re-planned the route so history unfolds people-first, era by era.

Follow date ranges at doorways to pace a 45-60 minute visit.

📍 New entrance route

🤓 Fun Facts

Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery was the first gallery in the world devoted to portraits of famous people.

After a £41m redevelopment, the Gallery reopened in June 2023 with a new Ross Place entrance and Tracey Emin’s bronze doors of 45 women.

Victoria Siddall was appointed Director in 2024, succeeding Nicholas Cullinan.

The ‘Chandos portrait’ of Shakespeare (NPG 1) was the Gallery’s first acquisition in 1856.

The refurbished hang includes contemporary icons - from Malala Yousafzai to Kate Moss - alongside historic greats.

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