VIBE

Classic museum feel (though some of the exhibits of pictures from the more recent decades have a slightly more modern vibe).

GO HERE WITH

Yourself; friends; family

WHY WE LIKE IT

Great lessons in British history from the Tudors to the present, through the faces of prominent citizens (be sure to hit the contemporary exhibit featuring portraits of Victoria and David Beckham by Dean Freeman, David Bowie by Stephen Finer, Nigella Lawson by Tom Miller, Queen Elizabeth II by Rankin Waddell, and J. K. Rowling by Neil Wilder). We also like that the rooms represent varying themes and time periods (e.g. science industry in the 18th century)– they make the museum educational and easy to follow.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

We loved the contemporary photos and were longing for more.

GOOD TO KNOW

Great audio tours available for GBP 3 that you can time and drive yourself. (They suggest taking a pamphlet along on your audio tour so you can hit the right portraits and ensure that you listen to the correct descriptions of the selected works on your device.) No cameras permitted in the museum.

CLOSEST COMPS

National Gallery (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to London