London · NATIONAL GALLERY TOURS
The 14 best national gallery tours on the books right now, each with its price, its length and who it suits. The first one leads for good reason, so start there.
Meet an official National Gallery guide in the Sainsbury Wing and spend about an hour with selected works by artists such as Vermeer, Raphael, Monet, and Van Gogh. Your guide connects the paintings to their makers and times, while headsets help you follow along. Entry is included; special exhibitions are not.
“I learned a lot and enjoyed the guides knowledge and spirit”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing entrance for a 2.5-hour tour of major paintings from the 1300s to the 1900s. With no more than eight people, you can ask questions as you explore works by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Vermeer and others. Guides named in past tours include Stephanie, Becky, Alex and Luis.
“The tour guide was knowledgeable and had wonderful insights to share about the art pieces. It was a highly informative and engaging Tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it!”
Spend about five and a half hours with a guide at the British Museum and National Gallery, seeing highlights such as the Rosetta Stone, the Lewis Chessmen, The Arnolfini Portrait, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. The semi-private group is capped at eight, with about two and a half hours at each museum and a break for lunch.
“We enjoyed a phenomenal day with Becky! Her expertise and historical perspective presented us with a comprehensive peek into two of Britain's most prestigious museums. To see the British Museum and the National Gallery in one day is like trying to take a sip from a fire hydrant, but Becky made it work! We saw the "must see" exhibits with her insightful narrative in a most efficient way. We never felt rushed and our questions were graciously answered. The National Gallery was undergoing renovations and seems to be be in constant motion. It speaks volumes of Becky's knowledge that she would be able to shift on the fly and offer…”
Join a gallery-approved Blue Badge guide for a one-hour tour of the National Gallery’s European paintings, from the Wilton Diptych and Renaissance masters to Monet and Van Gogh. Gallery entry and a VOX headset are included. Morning and afternoon times are offered, with groups capped at 25.
“We had a brilliant tour, our tour guide was great, very knowledgeable and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour!”
Meet guide Strabo between the bronze lions in Trafalgar Square for a guided National Gallery visit featuring artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Turner, and Hogarth. Expect stories about the people and ideas behind the paintings, plus explanations of artistic techniques and changing styles. The tour is offered in English or Hindi.
“I highly recommend our guide Strabo, it was only two of us in the tour and we were so lucky because it was basically a private tour. The way he structured the tour, showing us the evolution of the pictorial trend made so much sense. The way he stopped and explained in detail key art work was amazing, we really enjoyed his in depth explanations of the story behind each artwork, it made us see them with a completely different perspective. I would really recommend it to everyone and I am certainly recommending it to all my friends!”
Spend three hours at the National Gallery, starting with a one-hour guided highlights tour of European art, then sitting down to afternoon tea at Ochre. Guides such as Martin, Mike and Emily have led engaging tours, though your guide may differ. Expect sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, seasonal pastries, and tea or coffee.
“Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the paintings come alive. I loved this tour! The tea was also very nice. I had tea and my husband had a cappuccino and we got a lovely tray of sandwiches, scones and desserts. Delicious!”
Join guide Anthony for a private 2.5-hour tour of the National Gallery, with admission included and a separate entrance. Follow art from the 1300s through Impressionism, with stops for works by Leonardo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Van Eyck, and Van Gogh. Meet at the red telephone box by the Sainsbury Wing.
“It was a marvelous experience. Anthony was great. He is very knowledgeable and took me through the gallery after picking up exactly what I was interested in. Would recommend him to anyone wanting to explore the National Gallery.”
Spend 2.5 hours with a certified English-speaking guide at the National Gallery, in a group capped at eight. The tour focuses on famous works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Seurat, Botticelli, Holbein and van Eyck, with context about the artists and the museum. Meet by the telephone box outside the Sainsbury Wing.
“The careful explanation with each photo of each picture made the experience so much more enjoyable. The occasion was made so much more special. The guide was clearly extraordinarily knowledgeable. He was concise and helped us to see more in each work that we viewed. I also developed some new favourite artists on the way! I would love to do this again and will certainly be recommending the experience to friends. Nick James”
Explore the British Museum with a licensed guide who can connect objects such as the Rosetta Stone replica and Babylonian Queen of the Night relief to world history. Private options range from two to five and a half hours, with some adding the National Gallery or car transfers. Past guides named Howard and Olga are not guaranteed for your tour.
Spend a half-day with an English-speaking local guide at the National Gallery and British Museum. You’ll see works such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and the real Rosetta Stone, then explore objects from samurai armor to the Lewis Chessmen. Becky and Matilda have been praised by name, but guide assignment is not guaranteed.
“Matilda is the best tour guide EVER. Please request her and you will not be disaapointed!”
This private two-hour tour pairs your group of up to four with an Italian-speaking art guide at London’s National Gallery. Expect close attention to works by Titian, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, with historical and artistic context and room to request a favorite artist or painting. Luca is named in one glowing account, but guides may vary.
“Mancanza di serieta'!!! All'orario concordato ho chiamato ma dal call center non hanno trovato il fornitore!! Tutto gia' pagato in anticipo. Non prenotate!!!”
Explore the National Gallery with a licensed private guide, then choose a longer visit that adds the British Museum. See works such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks, with time for questions and art history. Options run from two to five and a half hours, with private car transfers on selected tours.
“Amazing. Excellent instructions on where to meet. Our guide was very informative & friendly. Highly recommend.”
Meet your private guide after security for a two-hour tour of the National Gallery, with pre-booked entry through a separate line. Expect art history, close looking and stories about artists from Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh. Past guides have included Stefania and Damiano, but your guide may vary.
“Oggi, 22 aprile 2025 abbiamo avuto la fortuna di visitare la National Gallery anche con il supporto dell’organizzazione di Get Your Guide. Per aggiornamenti, invio biglietti e varie informazioni, e’ stato di positivo supporto il Sig. Damiano. Relativamente alla guida per la visita alla galleria, abbiamo avuto il piacere di conoscere la gent.ma Stefania. Stefania e’ riuscita a rendere ancora più interessante la visita della galleria. Oltre a spiegare le diverse opere con aneddoti e particolari curiosità (anche nostro figlio di 12 anni e’ rimasto entusiasta), è riuscita ad integrare il tutto con riferimenti a tematiche di storia dell’arte rendendo il tutto ancora più coinvolgente. Unico aspett...”
Explore the Wallace Collection with a private art guide, from Boucher paintings and Sèvres porcelain to French furniture and Ottoman arms. Choose a Wallace-only visit or add the National Gallery, with private car transfers on selected options. Guides named Brian and Marguerite have led tours, though assignments can vary.
“We were astounded at the breadth of the collection and the beauty of the house itself. Our guide Brian was tremendous - a walking encyclopedia of the history of the collection and the individual works of art on display. We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours with Brian.”
Pick a landmark, a river, a pub or a road out of town.
