Advice for Adult Groups booking a Visit

We welcome adult group visits to the National Portrait Gallery. Please read these guidelines before booking in order to plan a successful visit to the Gallery for you and the members of your group.

Advance booking is essential for all groups, for both self-directed visits and groups who wish to book a talk with one of our Education freelance staff. We require a minimum of two weeks notice to book a visit. If you come to the Gallery without pre-booking, we cannot guarantee that there will be space for your group.

Booking periods: The Education Department takes bookings from a large number of academic institutions and therefore we book according to term dates. For each term we take bookings from the previous half-term onwards; for the Autumn Term booking starts at the beginning of July.

Planning your visit: Contact the Education Department and visit the website www.npg.org.uk for details about Education services, to choose Gallery rooms for your visit and to see what's on display.

Availability: Please note that we offer a very popular service. When you call to book we may be dealing with other enquiries - you may have to leave your details on our answerphone and we will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss availability. We cannot take provisional bookings. Once a booking has been made we cannot re-schedule it.

To make a booking: Please telephone the Education Department, with the following information:

• preferred date and time of your visit and a range of possible alternatives
• the number of adults and leaders in your group
• the subject you would like a talk on and/or gallery rooms you require

Confirmation letter: Once you have made a booking we will send you a confirmation letter. If you are having a taught session you will need to read, sign and return the group confirmation form. Please bring your copy of your confirmation letter with you on the day of your visit.

Cancellation fee: Our taught sessions are currently free, but where appropriate we encourage donations from adult groups. We reserve the right to charge a fee for non-attendance or cancellation at short notice without good reason.

Admission charges: Admission to the Gallery is free. Some temporary exhibitions have an admission charge, please check when booking. Pre-booked group are entitled to a reduced group ticket rate.

Timing: Be punctual and ready to start at your booked time, especially if you are having a talk.

Refreshments: The Portrait Café is located in the basement (limited seating available), and the Portrait Restaurant is located on the third floor (booking is advisable - Tel: 020 7312 2490; BT's Type Talk: 18001). We regret that there is no groups lunchroom at the Gallery.

Education Department, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London. WC2H 0HE.
Booking Line: 020 7312 2483
BT's Type Talk: 18001
Fax: 020 7413 8030
E-mail: education@npg.org.uk

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All images and text are subject to copyright protection. 20 November 2008