NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY TOUR - London 2015 - page 251

Tours: The well-done £ 3 audioguide lets you choose among several theme tours, or
you can dial up any of 300 individual works. “Portrait Explorer” computers on the
mezzanine give info on virtually any portrait or artist in the extensive collection.
Length of This Tour: Allow 1.5 hours. If you're in a rush, focus on your favorite Brits
through history.
Photography: Photos aren't allowed.
Cloakroom: Stuff your stuff in a £ 1 locker, or pay a £ 2 donation at the coat check (both
downstairs from the entry).
Cuisine Art: The elegant Portrait Restaurant on the top floor is pricey but offers afternoon
tea, and has a fine view over the rooftops of Westminster ( £ 15-20 entrées, reservations
wise, tel. [phone]); you can also just enjoy a drink at the bar with the same
view. The Portrait Café in the basement (take the elevator down) is cheaper and offers
sandwiches, salads, and pastries. For more eateries near Trafalgar Square, see here .
Starring: Royalty (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Victoria), writers (Shakespeare, the Brontës),
scientists (Newton, Darwin), politicians (Churchill), and musicians (Handel, McCart-
ney).
OVERVIEW
The Gallery covers 500 years of history from top to bottom—literally. Start on the top
(second) floor and work chronologically down to modern times on the ground floor. His-
torians should linger at the top; celebrity hunters will lose elevation quickly and head to
the contemporary section. There are many, many famous people from all walks of life, so
use this chapter as an overview, then follow your interests, either with an audioguide or by
reading the museum's informative labels.
The Tour Begins
• From the lobby (which is up on the first floor), ride the long escalator up to the second
floor and start in Room 1, marked The Early Tudors.
Second Floor
(See “National Portrait Gallery—Second Floor” map, here .)