/ About

The National Gallery holds one of the world's great collections of European painting, and once the public galleries close each evening its rooms open for private hire. The range runs from an intimate terrace beneath a domed glass roof to a full-building buyout, with the newly reopened Sainsbury Wing adding a further tier of spaces overlooking Trafalgar Square.

The Barry Rooms, an octagonal gallery under a domed, marbled ceiling, is the Gallery's most requested space and has hosted everything from orchestral concerts to product launches. Room 32, refurbished in 2022 and the largest of the picture galleries, seats guests beneath Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi; Central Hall sits at the centre of the collection, within easy reach of the Impressionist and Renaissance wings on either side. Annenberg Court, a contemporary space beneath Bridget Riley's installation Messengers, is the Gallery's own answer to a late room: its evening events brochure invites dancing and a DJ, a use worth confirming directly with the events team alongside any other policy in force on the night.

A dedicated events coordinator, in-house AV technicians and a list of accredited catering suppliers support every booking, whether an intimate dinner in the Yves Saint Laurent Room or a reception spanning the whole building.

/ Rooms Available

Whole Gallery (Full Building Buyout)

Exclusive Hire
Up to 2,000

An exclusive-hire buyout of the entire Gallery, spanning both the Wilkins Building and the Sainsbury Wing for a single event.

Period Architecture

Sainsbury Wing Foyer

Exclusive Hire
Up to 750

The reworked entrance foyer to the Sainsbury Wing, reopened in May 2025 as part of the Gallery's bicentenary redevelopment. A blank-canvas space with a 10m by 3m digital wall, built for product launches and large receptions.

Flexible LayoutNatural Light

Room 32: The Julia and Hans Rausing Room

Exclusive Hire
Seats 300 / Up to 450

The largest of the picture galleries, refurbished in 2022 and hung with the finest of the Italian collection, including Caravaggio's The Supper at Emmaus. Gold-gilded alcoves and rich red walls make it the Gallery's grandest dining room.

Period Architecture

The Wohl Room

Exclusive Hire
Seats 300 / Up to 450

One of the Gallery's largest galleries, hung with Venetian paintings by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto, and linking the Wilkins Building to the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing.

Period Architecture

Room 34

Exclusive Hire
Seats 270 / Up to 350

The British collection's home, with soft blue walls and George Stubbs' Whistlejacket at its centre. Adjoins the Barry Rooms for a seamless flow between spaces.

Period Architecture

Annenberg Court

Exclusive Hire
Up to 300

A contemporary, sleek space beneath Bridget Riley's monumental installation Messengers, reached down a dramatic marble staircase from the main galleries. The Gallery's own evening events brochure positions it as its after-hours space, distinct in character from the picture galleries above.

The Barry Rooms

Exclusive Hire
Seats 150 / Up to 300

An octagonal gallery beneath a domed, marbled ceiling, described by the Gallery as its most versatile space — it has hosted everything from orchestral concerts to product launches. The busts of Michelangelo, Turner and Rembrandt look down from the dome.

Period ArchitectureNatural Light

Locatelli

Exclusive Hire
Seats 100 / Up to 250

The newest reception space at the Gallery, a light-filled mezzanine within the Sainsbury Wing with direct views over Trafalgar Square, named for chef Giorgio Locatelli's neighbouring restaurant.

Natural Light

Central Hall

Exclusive Hire
Seats 100 / Up to 200

The Gallery's centre point, beneath a glass ceiling and deep red walls hung with Thomas Lawrence's The Red Boy. Venetian and early Renaissance galleries sit to one side, Impressionist and Baroque rooms to the other.

Period ArchitectureNatural Light

Supporters' House Lounge

Private
Up to 150

A self-contained suite steps from Trafalgar Square, with its own private entrance — a homely, intimate contrast to the main picture galleries.

Private ServiceLounge Seating

The Portico

Exclusive Hire
Seats 60 / Up to 100

An outdoor terrace overlooking Trafalgar Square with a classic black-and-white tiled floor and views of Nelson's Column. A wet-weather option is provided.

Natural LightPeriod Architecture

The Yves Saint Laurent Room

Exclusive Hire
Seats 60 / Up to 100

An intimate dining gallery with rich red fabric walls, hung with Rubens, and adjoining the Rembrandt self-portrait room.

Period Architecture

Mosaic Terrace

Exclusive Hire
Seats 40 / Up to 60

The Gallery's most intimate event space, set beneath a domed glass ceiling on a mosaic floor custom-made for the Gallery by artist Boris Anrep, featuring personalities of 1930s Britain.

Natural LightPeriod Architecture

Supporters' House Private Dining Room

Private
Seats 12

A beautifully intimate, self-contained private dining room within Supporters' House, suited to a business lunch or an intimate evening of celebration.

Private Service

/ Perfect For

WeddingCorporateCelebrationLaunch

/ Features

Catering

  • – External Catering Allowed

Venue Specs

  • – Dedicated Events Team
  • – Private Entrance
  • – Air Conditioned
  • – Wi-Fi
  • – Cloakroom

/ Getting Here

National Gallery

Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN

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