The National Portrait Gallery was established in 1850 and holds the most extensive and prestigious collection of portraits in the world. The current building was completed in 1896 with additional gallery spaces added in 1933 and 2000.

Newly reopened after a major redevelopment project, ‘Inspiring People’, the building has been transformed throughout with new modern, light filled spaces, preserving but opening up the existing Victorian structure. A stunning new entrance and forecourt on Charing Cross Road carefully amend the listed classical North façade and is graced with vast bronze doors decorated with plaques designed by Tracey Emin. Inside, a newly configured main hall starts the visitor’s journey and a vast escalator awaits to whisk them off to the Tudor galleries on the third floor.

Upstairs a respectful restoration of existing 19th and 20th Century rooms albeit with a 21st Century colour palette delight the visitor. The collection was rehung throughout in a salon style allowing many more portraits to be displayed.

Elsewhere, a modern learning centre and studio space have been added in the basement moat while still allowing natural light to flood in.

The iconic rooftop Portrait Restaurant remains, where panoramic windows look out over Trafalgar Square and Whitehall and can be complemented by other more hidden rooftop views toward the Strand and Leicester Square

Access can now be given to an array of refreshed and new spaces including Victorian and contemporary galleries, lecture theatres, learning studios, archive and library areas, restaurants and bars as well as staircases, basements, service corridors, plant rooms and roof spaces with views across London.