The National Gallery

Climb the steps between Landseer lions into a chronological sweep from proto-Renaissance tempera to Turner's vortex skies. Rooms breathe with crowd eddies around blockbuster canvases—peek side galleries for quieter Dutch domestic scenes. Special exhibitions occupy the Sainsbury Wing for an extra charge; the core collection rewards repeat visits when London drizzle keeps you under portico shelter. Audio guides deepen theological symbolism if you have hours to spare.