Before you arrive ·
Bags, photographs and looking after paintings
Pack for the bag checks, keep backpacks at the front and look for photography restrictions beside individual works. Leave food and drink for the designated cafes and restaurants.
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Bags and luggage
Wheeled luggage and suitcases are not allowed. The maximum bag size is 56 × 25 × 45 cm, and large bags must be left in the cloakroom. Carry a backpack at the front or hold it at your side. Some exhibition spaces also restrict backpacks and large bags.
Photographs
You can take photographs for personal, non-commercial use unless the sign beside a work restricts it. Do not use flash, extra lighting, tripods, selfie sticks or gimbals. Keep other visitors’ views clear and ask permission before photographing people.
Drawing
Use a sketchbook or paper no larger than A3 in rooms with paintings on display. Pencils, crayons and the permitted pens and dry drawing materials are allowed. Sketching is not allowed in exhibition spaces, doorways or access routes. Leave paints and other materials for the Gallery’s Copyist Scheme.
Looking and taking a break
Keep hands and belongings away from paintings, frames and installations. Stay behind barriers. Eat and drink in the designated catering spaces, which are reserved for visitors buying refreshments there.
Photo gallery 1
Image credits
- xiquinhosilva · Central Hall, National Gallery.jpg · CC BY 2.0 · WebP / AVIF
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryansjs · Entrance hall of the National Gallery, looking north.jpg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · WebP / AVIF
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryansjs · Entrance hall of the National Gallery, looking south.jpg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · WebP / AVIF
- Diego Delso · Bóveda de la sala 36, Galería Nacional, Londres, Inglaterra, 2014-08-11, DD 165-167 HDR.JPG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · WebP / AVIF
- Philafrenzy · National Gallery Sainsbury Wing staircase.jpg · CC0 · WebP / AVIF