A Gift to the Nation: The National Gallery
Founded in 1824, The National Gallery began with just 38 paintings. It was created for the public, to be enjoyed by everyone, a revolutionary idea for its time. Explore its rich history on a private tour.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of The National Gallery with a private, personalized experience led by a local.



Make your stay in London complete with these things to do







Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Matilda gave us a great insightful tour and catered to our art history requirements of getting in depth into each painting as well providing us with a smooth and seemless experience at the National Gallery. Thank you very much "
"Our tour of the National Gallery with Rosa was the highlight of our extended Holiday. We met her promptly at 10:30 and had her undivided attention from then on. She has a profound depth of knowledge of the paintings contained in not only this collection but in the other museums of the world. We let her know what our interests were and any particular highlights we wished to see and she catered the visit to meet our needs. She is adept at reading your reactions and if something is not piquing your interest she moves on. Likewise if something not on the agenda catches your eye she is willing and capable to stop and discuss it with you. She is personable and has a wonderful sense of humor. We felt privileged to explore this truly amazing collection with Rosa and highly recommend her to anyone. If you wish to not only see the collection but to understand the history and context of the art Rosa is an excellent choice."
"We loved our private tour of the National Gallery with Rosa . She is an unbelievably knowledgeable art historian and an absolute delight . We had a limited amount of time and she managed to pick out the most beautiful and interesting works of art to show us (from Leonardo De Vinci to Raphael to Monet). I highly recommend a tour with Rosa and look forward to seeing her again the next time I am in London."
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore London with locals






Our locals will give you the best experiences that London has to offer
Discover experiences based on your interest

Step into a world of artistic wonder at The National Gallery in London. Imagine seeing masterpieces up close, guided by a local who knows every secret. Our private National Gallery tours make art come alive!
Founded in 1824, The National Gallery began with just 38 paintings. It was created for the public, to be enjoyed by everyone, a revolutionary idea for its time. Explore its rich history on a private tour.
Stand before one of the most famous paintings in the world, Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'. With a local guide, you'll learn the emotional story behind this iconic masterpiece and see it in a whole new light.
Discover J.M.W. Turner's 'The Fighting Temeraire,' once voted the nation's greatest painting. A local expert can reveal the powerful symbolism of this majestic warship being towed to its final resting place.
Did you know The National Gallery houses over 2,300 paintings from the 13th to the 20th century? A private tour uncovers hidden gems and stories you'd miss on your own, making your visit unforgettable.
After immersing yourself in art, what could be more British than afternoon tea? Your local guide can recommend the best spots near Trafalgar Square to relax and discuss your favorite paintings over scones.
Don't just see the art, experience it. Your private tour of The National Gallery awaits. Skip the crowds and connect with centuries of masterpieces on a personal level. Book your Withlocals tour today and create a memory that will last a lifetime!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
"We had an absolutely wonderful private tour with Rosa at the National Gallery. Her knowledge of art history is exceptional—she brought the paintings to life and completely transformed how we saw the collection. She tailored the tour beautifully to our interests and answered all our questions with genuine enthusiasm. I also have to mention her incredible professionalism and kindness: we completely forgot this was today and when I called her, she agreed to meet almost two hours late. Despite the delay, she gave us a fantastic experience and never made us feel rushed. That level of patience and flexibility, on top of her expertise, made for a truly memorable visit. We'd highly recommend her to anyone wanting a deeper appreciation of art."
"We had a great 3 hours with Tom - a lot to see in the National but Tom kept things moving a long with a lot of interesting stories and history - he also clearly knows a lot about London more generally."
"We really enjoyed our visit to the National Art Gallery with Rosa as our guide. Her love of art and the museum was beautiful to experience. She provided details about various works of art that we appreciated and did not know about. I'm glad we decided to ask her to be our guide, as it made the visit more memorable. "
"Chris was incredible to work with. The minute I booked the tour he reached out to get information on our group and what we would be interested in. He even went so far as to reach out to our tour guide from the previous day to make sure he covered different topics. He was knowledgeable and entertaining and our group absolutely loved the tour. Could not recommend Chris as a tour guide enough. Thank you, Chris! "
"Tom had great historical knowledge and recall of many sites of interest including the architect. He was also helpful in navigating the Tube strike for places we needed to go."
"Fantastic tour - Rosa did well to condense it all , you could spend days and days . Her knowledge is fantastic for novices and also for serious art lovers . We all learnt alot in a fun setting . Great place on a hot London day."
"We had a wonderful afternoon with Rosa at the National Gallery. She ensured our group got to enjoy the pieces on our priority list while providing much useful information on the artist, their media, technique and times. I learned more in three hours with Rosa than in all my art history classes. Rosa, you rock! "


Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.