Access
We are committed to making our buildings, exhibitions, services and programme as accessible and inclusive as possible, removing and reducing barriers to visiting us
Admission
This is a Gallery for everyone, full of life and filled with life stories. A place to look, learn, question, listen, eat, drink, meet, play, and join. We are committed to making the Gallery accessible and inclusive to all.
The Gallery is free to everyone. There is a charge for some exhibitions. Tickets can be booked in person, online or by phone.
Admission to exhibitions is free for Gallery Members and children under 12 years in family groups.
The following receive a concession rate for exhibitions:
- those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support or Job Seekers allowance
- students
- children (12-18 years)
- disabled people (with free entry for one carer).
Opening hours
Daily 10.30 - 18.00
Friday and Saturday 10.30 - 21.00
We start closing the building 10 minutes before the advertised time. Last admission to ticketed exhibitions is one hour before the Gallery closes.
Getting to the Gallery
A film, available in British Sign Language (BSL), and a visual story explaining how to reach the Gallery will be available soon.
Gallery address
St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE
- All of our entrances have step-free access
- The main entrance is at Ross Place (see map)
- The groups entrance is on St Martin’s Place
- Charing Cross station is 320 metres from the Gallery
- Leicester Square and Charing Cross Underground stations are both located 200 metres from the Gallery
- Travel by bus to Trafalgar Square (our nearest bus stop is Bus Stop K/E)
- The Gallery has no car-parking facilities. There are a limited number of Blue Badge parking bays close to the Gallery:
Blue Badge Bays (arcgis.com)
An accessible gallery
All our entrances have step-free access and all levels of the Gallery are connected by lifts. The Gallery has accessible toilets, a Changing Places Toilet, and our cafés, restaurant and shops have step-free access.
Visitor Experience staff and our friendly volunteers are fully trained to support volunteers who require assistance – please ask for help.
Maps and floorplans
Find our floorplans and large print map of the Gallery on our Floor plans page.
Enhanced sound
There are induction loops at the Ticket and Membership Desk, Cloakroom Desk, Ondaatje Wing Theatre, shops, cafés, restaurant, Learning Studios, Orange Street reception, and the Heinz Archive and Library.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of manual wheelchairs and a walker are available to borrow free of charge from the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0. We recommend booking these in advance by emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, contact us on 020 7306 0055.
Assistance dogs
Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome at the Gallery. A water bowl is available at the Ticket and Membership Desk. The nearest place to toilet your dog is Leicester Square.
WiFi
Free WiFi is available throughout the Gallery.
Website
The Gallery’s website has comprehensive information about visiting the Gallery, accessible facilities and resources. All films on the Gallery’s website include closed captions and some include BSL. The Gallery is committed to providing an accessible website and endeavours to do so by supporting the use of web accessibility standards.
To report any accessibility issues with this website or if you need information on this website in a different format, such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call 020 7306 0055.
Navigation
Pick up a free map to help you navigate the Collection, lifts, escalator, stairs, cafés, restaurant, shops and toilets.
A large-print map and tactile map are available at the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0. The lifts are in multiple locations around the building so if you need help to find them do not hesitate to ask a member of staff or volunteer.
The Gallery’s Collection is displayed chronologically, starting with the Tudors on Floor 3 and ending with contemporary portraits on Floor 0. Exhibitions are on Floor 0 and Floor 2.
Emergency evacuation
Visitor Experience staff and Security staff are fully trained to support visitors who require step-free access during an emergency. Fire refuge points and evacuation chairs are available on all floors.
Facilities
Cloakroom
Cloakroom, Ondaatje Main Hall, Floor 0.
Toilets
Toilets are available on Floors -2, -3, and 4.
Baby-changing facilities are on Floors -2 and -3.
Changing Places Toilet is on Floor -2. If you wish to use this facility, you will need to bring your own sling.
Seating
Fixed seating is located throughout the Gallery. Portable folding stools are also available. Please ask a member of staff or volunteer for a stool.
The Heinz Archive and Library
Appointments for the Heinz Archive and Library can be made by emailing. The Archive and Library entrance is at 39-45 Orange Street.
Visit is by appointment only. Please make an appointment by email at [email protected] or call 020 7321 6617.
Access events and resources
Access programme
The Gallery has a programme of accessible events including free monthly Deaf-led tours and British Sign Language interpreted talks, monthly picture description talks and a strong community programme. Full details on our events calendar.
Large print
Large-print maps and resources are available at the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0 and at key points throughout the Gallery. Exhibition large-print guides are available at the entrance to exhibitions.
Magnifying glasses
Magnifying glasses are available to borrow at the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0. Please return these at the end of your visit.
Ear defenders
Child and adult ear defenders are available to borrow at the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0. Please return these at the end of your visit.
Digital guide
Enhance your visit by downloading the Gallery’s free digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app. The Guide offers visitors the opportunity to explore highlights from the Collection in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian through our Meet the portraits audio tour. An audio-described version of the Highlights Tour is also available via Bloomberg Connects or through our raised button players. A BSL version of the tour is available via the app.
Raised button players
Listen to an audio-described version of our Meet the Portraits tour on our raised button players, available for free from the Ticket and Membership Desk on Floor 0, together with an associated hand-held tactile map. This version of the tour involves directions and can be self-navigated.
Audio descriptions
Explore audio descriptions of portraits in the Gallery and audio-described films. You can also explore the famous faces and much loved works on display through the audio-described version of our Meet the portraits tour, available via Bloomberg Connects or through raised button players. The version of the tour available via raised button players involves directions and can be self-navigated.
Where to eat
Audrey Green Café
Located on Floor 0 (additional entrance from the street on St Martin’s Place)
Monday to Friday 08.00 - 17.30
Saturday and Sunday 09.00 - 17.30
Larry's Café Bar
Located on Floor -3
Monday 10.30 - 17.30
Tuesday to Thursday 10.30 - 23.00
Friday and Saturday 10.30 - midnight
Sunday 10.30 - 17.30
Booking recommended - book Larry's
The Portrait Restaurant by Richard Corrigan
Located on Floor 4
Sunday to Tuesday 12.00 - 17.30
Wednesday to Saturday 12.00 - 22.30
Booking recommended - book the Restaurant
The Portrait Pavilion
Located opposite the Gallery’s new Ross Place entrance and forecourt - takeaway only.
Monday to Friday 07.30 – 17.30
Saturday 09.30 – 17.30
Sunday 10.00 – 17.30
Website accessibility statement
To access our accessibility statement for this website please use the link below. To report any accessibility issues with this website or if you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille please contact us on:
- email [email protected]
- call +44 (0) 20 7306 0055
We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 days.
Contact and downloads
Please get in touch if you have any specific queries about accessibility.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7306 0055 (lines open 10.00 – 17.00)
Text Relay Calls: 18001 020 7306 0055
Email: [email protected]