Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Karis Tavernier-Nicholas
For a Londoner born and bred, I’d only heard about The Courtauld Gallery fairly recently. Snuggled in the heart of London’s historic Somerset House (also well worth a visit for its own sake), the gallery is centrally located – just off the Strand leading to Trafalgar Square and a short distance from Aldwych – in one of my favourite parts of the city. It’s part of the Courtauld Institute of Art, a prestigious university training future art historians and conservators, with collections assembled by Samuel Courtauld, who – as the name suggests – was one of the founders of the gallery. In an effort to occasionally see my home city through the eyes of a visitor, I’ve recently been able to tick the gallery off my bucket list.
Following a three year restoration, the gallery reopened in 2021. Exploring it on a bank holiday as we did, the gallery was fairly crowded but not overwhelmingly, especially for a relatively small space. Grand, light and airy rooms on the top floors host much of the artworks, while others are displayed in the vaulted cellars. Strolling around, a lover of history – such as myself – will find themselves drinking in the architecture of the historic building as much as the art itself.
What to see at the Courtauld?
The Courtauld Gallery plays host to several different centuries worth of art. From the Medieval period to the Renaissance to Impressionism, there are many eras to explore. Particular stand outs were ‘Adam and Eve’ by Cranach the Elder, ‘Bar at the Folies-Bergére‘ by Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas’ ‘Two Dancers on a Stage’, all of which are part of the permanent collection. The gallery also has a dedicated room for the Bloomsbury Group, featuring the work of the artist Vanessa Bell.
Do you have to pay to enter the Courtauld Gallery?
Entrance into the gallery and to many of the exhibitions is ticketed and can be booked online with a chosen entry time. However, discounts and free tickets are available for some. You can find out more here.
How to visit the Courtauld Gallery?
The gallery is within walking distance from Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. There are several buses which stop in the area, coming from both central and greater London, such as the 139, 176, 172, 1, 188, all of which stop outside of Somerset House. The closest train stations include Waterloo and Charing Cross, while Temple, Charing Cross and Embankment are the nearest tube stations.
For accessibility concerns, a lift is available to bring you to multiple floors and seating is provided in most rooms for when you need a break, or just want to admire a painting for a bit longer. It’s possible to explore the permanent collection in a little under two hours, and so the Courtauld Gallery is a perfect option if you want a manageable visiting experience without being overwhelmed.
