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Before your visit

We look forward to welcoming you into the Gallery

Find out more about your visit, below

Trafalgar Square, London
WC2N 5DN

Arrive on time

There may be a short wait to get in at busy times, so we recommend arriving a few minutes before your booked entry time.

 

Where to queue

Entry to the Gallery for 'Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300‒1350' is via the Getty Entrance. Please note backpacks and large umbrellas are not permitted in the exhibition.

Have your ticket ready

When you arrive, you can either show a ticket you have printed at home or show your ticket on your phone.

Revised security measures at the National Gallery

Following recent incidents within the Gallery it is now necessary to introduce increased security measures to ensure the safety of all who visit, National Gallery staff and the nation’s collection of paintings. We urge all visitors to bring minimal items with them including no large bags. All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where we inspect bags and rucksacks. We anticipate it will take longer to access the Gallery and we apologise for this inconvenience in advance of your visit.

Please note that backpacks cannot be brought into the exhibition space for ‘Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350’.You can enter the exhibition with a small bag under the size of an A4 piece of paper. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, for example, for those with medical requirements or young children. 
 
The Gallery’s cloakroom costs £2 per item and is free for Members. We accept bags up to 56 x 25 x 45 cm. Wheeled luggage, including cabin bags, and suitcases are not allowed. You are welcome to bring baby buggies into the Gallery.

Making the most of your visit

Become a Member for less

Show your ticket at any of our desks and we’ll refund its value against the price of a Membership. T&Cs apply.

Find out more.

Audio guide

Listen to the exhibition audio guide on your personal device and headphones. For the best experience, download Smartify on your device before your visit.

Buy now.

Shop range

Experience the glittering gold of Sienese art with our new range of gifts from the exhibition.

Shop now

Afternoon Tea

Available throughout the day, treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea at Ochre when you visit.

Served daily

Members receive a 10% discount per Member.

Find out more and book

Become a Member for less
Show your ticket at any of our desks when you visit and save its value against the price of a Membership

Facilities and amenities

Access

We aim to make access to the paintings enjoyable and welcoming to the widest possible public.

For more detail on what you can expect from a visit, please see our visual story.

Cloakroom

The cloakroom costs £2 per item to use (free for Members). We accept bags up to 56 x 25 x 45 cm. Wheeled luggage, including cabin bags, and suitcases are not allowed. You are welcome to bring baby buggies into the Gallery. 

Toilets

There are toilet and baby changing facilities inside the entrance.

WiFi

Connect to our free WiFi - look for ‘National Gallery’. Read our terms of use.

Photography

Feel free to take photographs for personal, non-commercial use, unless a sign says you shouldn't.

Sketching

We're here to inspire! You're welcome to sketch in the Gallery - please use a handheld pad of paper, pencil, graphite stick, or felt-tipped pens. You might also like to join our creative sessions.

Getting here

Please follow the latest guidelines on travel and public transport.

[All links to TFL and Google Maps open in a new window]

Plan your journey on the TFL website.

Getting here by:

Parking for:

There is a parking space on Orange Street for Blue Badge holders only. Please book in advance by calling 020 7747 2885.

There are designated parking bays on St Martin's Street. Please phone Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567 for more information.

Public car parks are available nearby in Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.

The nearest bike stands are on Orange Street, St Martin's Street, St Martin's Place, and Duncannon Street.

The nearest Santander Cycles docking stations are on St Martin's Street, Craven Street, Pall Mall East, William IV Street, Charles II Street and Oxendon Street.
Please check TFL for up-to-date information about nearby Santander Cycle docking stations.

NG200 - Celebrating 200 years of the National Gallery

We are making some exciting changes to the building: providing a first-class welcome for you and millions of visitors each year, creating a dedicated space for our Members and supporters, and upgrading our Learning and Research facilities.

These changes will help more people get closer to the collection.

While the Sainbury Wing is closed, many of the paintings have been redisplayed across the Gallery. Please check the floorplan for up-to-date room closures and the painting pages for the current location of our paintings.

Thank you for bearing with us during our Bicentenary celebrations.

Find out more about NG200.

 

Visiting guidelines

To help us keep the Gallery a safe and enjoyable place for everyone, please follow the guidelines below by:

  • Being considerate towards others
  • Not touching the paintings or other exhibits, and not crossing the barriers
  • Consuming food and drink in designated areas only i.e. not in rooms that contain paintings
  • Following our no smoking (includes vaping) policy in any part of the building
  • Following our ‘no photography’ policy in exhibitions where a sign is displayed
  • Sit only on the seating provided; our Gallery assistants can help you find the nearest seating

For more information read our Admissions Policy.