Cities
United Kingdom London City of Westminster Museum

The National Portrait Gallery

About

More than just a gallery of faces, the National Portrait Gallery holds a mirror to British history through the individuals who shaped it. Founded in 1856, its aim wasn't solely artistic merit, but to commemorate significant figures, their achievements often outweighing the fame of the artist. Here you'll encounter monarchs and revolutionaries, scientists and artists, actors and sports stars, a diverse tapestry of the nation's story etched in paint, photography, sculpture, and beyond. From Tudor royalty to contemporary icons, each portrait offers a unique perspective on the sitter and their era, inviting contemplation on fame, power, and the very essence of identity. The gallery's ongoing mission is to make portraiture accessible to all, fostering a deeper understanding of British history and culture through the power of the human face.

London United Kingdom
The National Portrait Gallery
Location

The National Portrait Gallery is located at St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE, right near Trafalgar Square, putting it in the heart of London's cultural center. Its prime location means you're surrounded by other fantastic attractions. Of course, Trafalgar Square itself, with Nelson's Column and the National Gallery, is right on its doorstep. A short walk will take you to the National Gallery, housing masterpieces of European painting. You can also easily reach Leicester Square, known for its theatres and entertainment. For a more spiritual experience, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are within walking distance. The vibrant Covent Garden, with its street performers and shops, is also nearby.

Tower Bridge Tower Bridge Tourist attractions Tower of London Tower of London Castle Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace Monument and Historical sites The National Gallery The National Gallery Museum Big Ben Big Ben Tourist attractions Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster Tourist attractions Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria and Albert Museum Museum The London Eye The London Eye Tourist attractions Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square Tourist attractions Tate Modern Tate Modern Museum British Museum British Museum Museum Tate Britain Tate Britain Museum Natural History Museum Natural History Museum Museum Science Museum Science Museum Museum Millennium Bridge Millennium Bridge Tourist attractions St. Paul’s Cathedral St. Paul’s Cathedral Landmark Covent Garden Covent Garden Tourist attractions Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Tourist attractions Neal's Yard Neal's Yard Tourist attractions Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus Tourist attractions Soho Soho Tourist attractions Hyde Park Hyde Park Park Regent's Park Regent's Park Park Richmond Park Richmond Park Park Kew Gardens Kew Gardens Tourist attractions Greenwich Park Greenwich Park Park Royal Obervatory Greenwich Royal Obervatory Greenwich Tourist attractions Leadenhall Market Leadenhall Market Tourist attractions Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Theatre Old Royal Naval College Old Royal Naval College Tourist attractions Borough Market Borough Market Market Camden Market Camden Market Market Portobello Road Market Portobello Road Market Market Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Museum Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery Gallery William Morris Gallery William Morris Gallery Gallery Sky Garden Sky Garden Tourist attractions Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey Tourist attractions Kensington Palace Kensington Palace Tourist attractions Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace Tourist attractions St. James's Palace St. James's Palace Palace Clarence House Clarence House Tourist attractions Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museum Museum Jewel Tower Jewel Tower Tourist attractions Museum of London Museum of London Museum Sir John Soane's Museum Sir John Soane's Museum Museum Wallace Collection Wallace Collection Museum Courtauld Gallery Courtauld Gallery Gallery National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum Museum Queen's House Queen's House Tourist attractions BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London Tourist attractions The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities Museum Design Museum Design Museum Museum Bank of England Museum Bank of England Museum Museum Churchill War Rooms Churchill War Rooms Museum Florence Nightingale Museum Florence Nightingale Museum Museum Postal Museum Postal Museum Museum Museum of Childhood Museum of Childhood Museum Jewish Museum London Jewish Museum London Museum St James's Park St James's Park Park Green Park Green Park Park Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath Park Battersea Park Battersea Park Park Holland Park Holland Park Park National Theatre National Theatre Theatre Barbican Centre Barbican Centre Theatre Charles Dickens Museum Charles Dickens Museum Museum Brixton Academy Brixton Academy Theatre Brick Lane Market Brick Lane Market Market Columbia Road Columbia Road Market Spitalfields Market Spitalfields Market Market Maltby Street Market Maltby Street Market Market Sherlock Holmes Museum Sherlock Holmes Museum Museum Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds London Museum London Dungeon London Dungeon Museum Hampstead Pergola Hampstead Pergola Park SEA LIFE SEA LIFE Aquarium ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo Zoo Crystal Palace Park Crystal Palace Park Park Dennis Severs' House Dennis Severs' House Museum Wilton's Music Hall Wilton's Music Hall Theatre Electric Cinema Electric Cinema Cinema God's Own Junkyard God's Own Junkyard Museum Museum of Brands Museum of Brands Museum Cartoon Museum Cartoon Museum Museum Severndroog Castle Severndroog Castle Castle Eltham Palace Eltham Palace Palace Fulham Palace Fulham Palace Palace Lambeth Palace Lambeth Palace Palace Royal Observatory Greenwich Royal Observatory Greenwich Observatory Hampstead Observatory Hampstead Observatory Observatory UCL Observatory UCL Observatory Observatory Norman Fisher Observatory Norman Fisher Observatory Observatory King’s Observatory King’s Observatory Observatory Serpentine Gallery Serpentine Gallery Gallery Whitechapel Gallery Whitechapel Gallery Gallery Camden Art Centre Camden Art Centre Gallery South London Gallery South London Gallery Gallery The Photographers’ Gallery The Photographers’ Gallery Gallery Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art Gallery Dulwich Picture Gallery Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Institute of Contemporary Arts Institute of Contemporary Arts Gallery King’s Gallery King’s Gallery Gallery Newport Street Gallery Newport Street Gallery Gallery