National Portrait Gallery Guided Tour

The National Portrait Gallery re-opened last year after the largest redevelopment in its history, lasting three years and costing £41M. The project comprised a complete re-presentation of the Collection, combined with a significant refurbishment of the building, the creation of public spaces, a more welcoming visitor entrance and public forecourt, and a new Learning Centre. Our guide works at the Gallery and has previously worked at other cultural institutions in London.

Please note: There are multiple dates for this tour. See below for details.

This is the first time the National Portrait Gallery has undergone a top-to-bottom refurbishment since it moved to its current location in 1896. The project featured the restoration of various secret turns and corners in this Grade I–listed building, including the previously hidden terrazzo on the ground floor of the east wing. Many openings have been made to bring in natural light and connect the National Portrait Gallery to its time and its city. With a new rooftop restaurant, this remodel has increased the institution’s public space by about 20 percent.

The Gallery’s transformation included a major rehang of the art works, including bold use of colour as a backdrop. The Gallery holds the largest collection of portraits in the world, with over 1,100 works, spanning the Middle Ages to today. The number of works on view has increased by about a third, but this represents only about 10% of the Collection.

Our guide, Daniel, will first tell us about the building’s original architect and the design choices he made. Daniel will then discuss the reasons for the refit and point out some of the improvements. Next he will take us in to the gallery to see parts of the Collection. He will talk to us about the portraits and tell us their subjects’ stories. The talk is lively, informative and entertaining.

Maximum number of people in each tour is fifteen, plus our guide.

Meeting Point

We will meet at 13:45 for 14:00 by the imposing statue of Victorian stage actor Henry Irving, which is in front of the new entrance to the Gallery, as shown on this map. At this entrance three windows have been converted into doors covered in 45 bronze low reliefs featuring “every woman, throughout time,” a commission by Tracey Emin.

If the weather is inclement then we will meet inside this entrance.

Additional Booking Information

We have booked the following tour date. It is likely that this will be the last one in 2024. Please enter your preferred date on the booking form:

• Tuesday 14th May – Full

Event Booking

Please note that all bookings are subject to our Event Booking Rules.
The standard, printable event booking sheet is downloadable here.

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