London Free Attractions- #4 National Gallery

Situated on the edge of Trafalgar Square is another of London's world class attractions....The National Gallery. The building houses one of the greatest collection of Western European Arts containing over 2,300 works dating back to the 13th Century. Within the collection are works from such renown artists as Rembrandt, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci, Gainsborough, Turner and Van Gogh.

The halls within have a surreal atmosphere as through the hushed silence there is a buzz to the place particularly round the most famous paintings such as Van Goghs "Sunflowers" and Turners "Fighting Temeraire". There are paintings to cover all tastes, my particular favourite being  "The Ambassadors" (1533)  by Hans Holbein The Younger.

The large collection can take a number of hours to view but it is an experience well worth seeing. It is worth noting that attention needs to be paid to your route round the halls on each floor as there are so many it is possible to miss some without realising. Audio guides are available in most major languages giving more information on certain paintings enhancing ones appreciation of the works.

As with other museums around London, admission is free but with the opportunity to give a donation. However, special exhibitions may require an entrance fee. The opening hours are 10:00am-6:00pm daily but with a late night opening on Friday till  9:00pm.

Just round the corner from the Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery which again is a free attraction and well worth a look at the large collection of paintings and photographs of people from across the centuries