Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery was set up ‘to promote through the medium of portraits the appreciation and understanding of the men and women who have made and are making British history and culture, and... to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media’. The gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world.
National Portrait Gallery

Entry: Free (some exhibitions may charge an entrance fee)
Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm