London's National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 and holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Included in its collection of 215,000 works are some of the most iconic portraits of Britons including Holbein’s Henry VIII and the so-called Chandos Portrait of William Shakespeare. From the Tudors to Princess Diana and the modern royals, this tour will animate the principal characters from seven centuries of British history. 

By contrast to the National Gallery’s undeniably sublime, yet essentially international collections, the Portrait Gallery tells a uniquely British story through the eyes of some of the world’s greatest artists. Whether through absurd flattery or candid realism, our expert historian will take us through the gallery, shedding light on not only the subjects themselves, but also the particular culture into which they were created. Through this lens, we can observe how the role of portraiture has evolved and changed through the ages.  

We will introduce, through the painted image, British Kings and Queens of England from the 15th century to the present day, with information given about their personalities and the principle features of their reign. We will discuss how each monarch wished to be presented: Elizabeth I disliked any shading on her face; Oliver Cromwell wanted to be painted “warts and all” and Victoria and Albert presented themselves as a medieval king and queen.

Additionally, we will examine portraits of men and women who shaped the culture of Britain, including images of Shakespeare, Milton, the Brontes and Jane Austen. Scientists such as Joseph Banks and Isaac Newton and military heroes including Nelson, Wellington and Churchill. Contemporary portraits include photographs and paintings of rock and roll royalty, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Ed Sheeran as well as portraits of HM The Queen and other members of the royal family.

Lastly, the evolution of British Art will be discussed. We will have a deeper understanding on the impact of superstar European court artists like Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck (all represented at the NPG), as well as the English artists with interesting examples by Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hodgkin and Freud.

Looking to explore more art in London? We suggest our Victorian and Albert Museum Tour, or for a more modern look, our Tate Modern Tour.

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

The permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery is free to visit, so no tickets are required, however donations are appreciated. If you are interested in seeing one of the temporary exhibitions, we advise you to book this tour privately. We will arrange for tickets.

Yes. We have some excellent family friendly experts who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Also, you may consider our family focused, interactive tours.

No. The National Portrait Gallery is fully accessible and has plenty of places to sit.