Description: General
During my vacation in London, I visited several museums. One was the National Gallery, a museum with paintings only. I came here right on my first day in London. I was watching the environment and when it started to rain, I decided in the National Gallery to take shelter.
Location
The National Gallery is on Trafalgar Square in London. The museum is located a short distance from Charing Cross Underground station, in fact you just have to cross the square. In addition, several buses are stopping on or near Trafalgar Square. In the vicinity of the museum are several parking garages. But it is advisable to use public transport, because that is much simpler and cheaper.
The Building
The National Gallery is as mentioned on the Trafalgar Square. On this square are many entertainers who display their tricks. The square itself is great, but the museum is even greater. It is an impressively wide building that was built in the period 1832-1838. You enter by a monumental staircase. It consists of three floors above ground and 2 underground. The underground floors are quite small and temporary exhibits and a theater. Of the above-ground floors there is only one fully used for the paintings. But this level is so great that I lost much of the afternoon and had not yet had seen it all.
National Gallery Exhibitions
The National Gallery's collection includes paintings from the 13th to the 20th century. Besides the exhibition of works from the collection, there are always temporary exhibitions. Sometimes you can buy a separate ticket for, and sometimes they are free. The paintings are listed by date and theme and provide a clear description.
I like paintings by Dutch masters and Impressionists often the best. But there are also paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Velázquez Diego and many others. A disadvantage is that the only paintings, leaving little alternation. This will eventually become a bit dull.
Temporary exhibition
One of the temporary exhibitions during my visit was called: Challenging the Past. A small part of the exhibition, a few drawings, did you enter for free, but for the actual show you had to. I have not been to the actual exhibition, since I'm not a fan of Picasso and the fact that you had to pay about £ 8 to enter.
Audio Guide
You can also use an audio guide to learn more about the paintings. You have to pay £ 3.50 for using it.
Disabled
The National Gallery is easy to do for the disabled. The museum is accessible for wheelchairs, but also hearing and visually impaired. It is possible to follow a tour with an interpreter and special sessions for the visually impaired.
Toilets
There are sufficient toilets and they were clean.
Food, drinks and shopping
It is not allowed to eat and drink in the museum itself, but there are several possibilities to make a purchase and consume. There is a coffee bar and a restaurant. I have not used these opportunities. The museum has several shops. There is a special store with a wide range of art related books and another shop selling the usual tourist things.
Bag and jackets
You can take your stuff inside, but you can also hand to the wardrobe. I'm not sure if you have to pay for, because I have not used it.
Staff
There is abundant and staff is friendly and helpful.
Price
The National Gallery, like many other museums, free. Again, it is appreciated if you put a donation of at least £ 3 per person. But this is voluntary. For temporary exhibitions, sometimes you have to pay. You must think of a price around £ 8.
Hours
The National Gallery is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday until 21:00. The museum is closed on Christmas day and the day before Christmas and New Year's Day. For more information please refer to the website for the museum.
Website
The National Gallery has a website where you can find all sorts of practical information. The website is www. Nationalgallery.org.uk..
Conclusion
The National Gallery is an interesting museum. There are paintings from many periods and they are in a pleasant manner exhibited. It is easily accessible by public transport and it is not as busy as for example the British Museum. Additionally you pay no entrance fee for the regular collection. A disadvantage is that it’s only paintings. Eventually it is simply boring, how beautiful and special they are. It is also unfortunate that the entrance fee for temporary exhibitions pretty much. Nevertheless it is a must, but more for when you only have about an hour or so. Not the whole day to spend.
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