National Gallery London
The serious art lover will need more than a day to explore the masterpieces that line the walls of the National Gallery in London. Happily, admission is free, so you can visit often. Even the novice will instantly recognize a number of paintings that are housed here. Over 2200 works make up the National Gallery's permanent collection, which covers the period from about 1250 to 1900 and focuses on Western European paintings. A listing of the artists represented is unnecessary because nearly everyone of note has at least one work in the gallery.

Of course, temporary exhibitions are constantly rotating to provide even the most frequent visitor with new delights at every return. The Gallery also hosts a number of programs for children and younger visitors to whet their appetites and encourage families to visit the Gallery together.

During the Second World War, concern for the safety of the paintings caused them to be removed from Gallery temporarily. The empty building was then used to hold mid-day classical music concerts to buoy the spirits of war-weary Londoners.

Official website www.nationalgallery.org.uk