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National Portrait Gallery, London

National Portrait Gallery, London: Our most recommended tours and activities

London Half-Day Private Chauffeur Driven Tour

1. London Half-Day Private Chauffeur Driven Tour

Discover London in complete privacy and luxury on a private, chauffeur-driven tour of the city center, and see some of the city’s top attractions away from the hustle and bustle of organized group tours. If you are looking for a unique way to discover London, this private tour is a perfect choice. Choose from a 4 or 6-hour excursion and go on an intimate journey, guided by a professional guide who will provide you with personal attention and courtesy throughout your urban adventure. Take the family to some of the best-known and historic sites of London, such as the imposing Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept. Pass one of the official residences of Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Drive through Trafalgar Square and see Nelson’s Column, the National Gallery, and National Portrait Gallery. Pass Westminster Abbey, also known as the Houses of Parliament. Relax in the comfort of your private car, and discover some places that other tourists never get to see!

London: Private Personalized Tour with a Local Host

2. London: Private Personalized Tour with a Local Host

Prepare to be amazed by London on this totally customized experience of the city. With your host, discover that this city is more than a place but a feeling.  You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Wander through the tangle of streets and alleys to the city center and breathe in the rich aroma of coffee and delicious food wafting up from nearby cafes and street vendors.  At every turn, find pieces of London's rich history as you explore the city's iconic landmarks and attractions. Explore the cultural diversity of Westminster, one of London's super unique neighborhoods with an interesting balance of ancient history and modern living. Think hipsters, goths, and punks walking past Parliament.  Perhaps you see yourself taking a leisurely stroll along Southbank and being in awe of London Bridge. Browse the myriad of contemporary shops and designer boutiques, rock out at independent music venue, or indulge in the city's delicious food culture at one of its street food markets.

London: 3 Art Galleries Guided Tour

3. London: 3 Art Galleries Guided Tour

Immerse yourself in London's vibrant art scene with a tour of the city's best art galleries. Start your tour at the National Gallery and admire paintings by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh. Learn more about the history, significance, and stories behind each of the paintings from your expert guide. Then, move on to the National Portrait Gallery. Here, admire the world’s largest collection of personalities and faces, from the late Middle Ages to the present day. See works by a wide variety of artists, from Holbein to Hockney. You can also admire a collection of portraits of the English royal family. Finally, head to the Tate Modern, where a collection of modern and contemporary art from around the world awaits you. Stroll through the awe-inspiring Turbine Hall, where you can see masterpieces by the likes of Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, and Warhol.

London: Gallery Art Tour

4. London: Gallery Art Tour

This tour takes in two of the most famous galleries in London, and one a little less well known. We visit the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Then we go by taxi to the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square. Inside the three galleries we take a journey through European painting, and look at the treasures of these collections, ranging from 13th century Italy to 19th century France. There are world class paintings to see in all three galleries, and all the great names are there, from Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh. In addition, the Wallace Collection is housed in an impressive 18th century mansion, with its recently restored grand picture gallery. We meet at 10am on the front steps of St Martin in the Fields Church on the east side of Trafalgar Square. After visiting the two galleries side by side in Trafalgar Square, we travel by taxi to just north of Oxford Street, concluding with an afternoon tea at the Wallace Collection restaurant. We start by looking at Trafalgar Square and hearing about the beginnings of the National Gallery and the Square, which marks London’s centre. Going first into the Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery, which houses the earliest paintings in the collection, we start with paintings from 14th century Italy and follow a timeline to Leonardo da Vinci. From here we cross to the original building, where rooms reflect the developments in painting across Europe. So we go on a journey to Holland in the Golden Age, with masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, and we see how painting developed in Spain, most famously with works by Velasquez. At around 11.30 we take a coffee break in the lovely National Gallery Café. Returning to the galleries to look at English Painting, egs. Turner and Constable, followed by perhaps the most popular paintings in the gallery, those of the French Impressionists: Monet, Seurat, Cezanne and Van Gogh. At approx. 12.30 p.m., we will walk to the adjacent National Portrait Gallery to see the collection of Tudor Portraits illustrating English History with famous images of Henry VIII and Elizabeth 1st. We will then take a taxi from the National Portrait Gallery to Manchester Square. Aiming to arrive around 2.00pm at the Wallace Collection, we will explore this magnificent 18th century mansion which has become one of London’s favourite, but less well known, museums. Here we will find a remarkable art collection, but also armour, clocks and furniture in beautifully restored rooms. There is for example, an entire room dedicated to views of Venice by Canaletto and Guardi. We are now ready for a well deserved afternoon High Tea in the Wallace Collection café. After tea the tour concludes here, a short walk from the shops of Oxford Street.

Other Sightseeing Options in National Portrait Gallery, London

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What people are saying about National Portrait Gallery, London

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 30 reviews

Becky took me on an action packed adventure across the entire city. She was extremely helpful and accommodating of anything I needed. I saw just about everything one would want to see in London. She knew of all of the typical spots for a tourist plus those only a local would know, including open air food and restaurant markets. I would recommend this to all my friends and family.

Beautiful walk through the streets of London, along the main streets of the center through its monuments and its history. Valentina our guide was really very good: very prepared and nice made the tour unique and fascinating.

Nice afternoon, good driver and excellent Italian guide

Marica our guide was good and welcoming. Recommended. for us who spent a day in London it was interesting and exhaustive.

A customized tour of London with Naomi is highly recommended! We were a big family with two children. It was great.

All perfect!!!!

All perfect. Sara, the tour escort, was exceptional. Experience absolutely to be recommended.