Retaining one of the greatest collections of western art in the world, the National Gallery is a wonderful repository of stories, from the magical to the everyday, from epic tales to biographies, and from the imaginary to the factual. Together, we'll dive into the world of these stories—as well as the stories behind the artists that made them—on this National Gallery for Families Tour, led by an art historian trained in visual learning strategies. Armed with art supplies and our imaginations, we'll not only learn some of the skills necessary to make masterworks like the ones on display, but we'll develop an appreciation for western art through the ages.

On our journey, we will hear the legends of the Greek and Roman gods, including Mars, the god of war, and Venus, the goddess of love, as well as the fate of Ariadne, who was deserted on an island by her lover, Theseus, and later discovered by the god of wine, Bacchus. We will also see how artists interpreted the stories of the holy books and meet the Queen of Sheba on her journey to test the wisdom of King Solomon with gifts of gold. Or perhaps we will find out the secret of Samson's superhuman strength and discover who betrayed his secret.

As we explore, we will learn to decipher the signs and symbols that give us clues to the meaning of different paintings. For example, which saint always holds an arrow and why? Who is dressed in animal skins? Who holds a golden apple, and what does an hourglass symbolize? What does a dog, or a dove, or a horse represent in a painting?

Looking for more family-friendly museum tours in London? Try our Tower of London for Kids or British Museum for Kids Tours.

Throughout the walk, we'll also engage with the paintings through a series of interactive activities. Maybe we'll take out our pencils and decide to try our hands at sketching some of the paintings we see—inserting ourselves into the picture! Or, perhaps we'll take a closer look at painting; just how do they get so many colors and textures onto the canvas? Either way, we'll walk away with a deepened appreciation for the craft of some of Europe's masters—and a few new artistic skills.

Over the course of this walk, we will learn how artists over the centuries have translated the great literary and oral narratives from words to paint as we hear and see these stories. The west has a rich culture of storytelling that has inspired countless retellings, and together with our expert we will discover these tales on our journey around the National Gallery.

The walk begins and ends inside the museum. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

No, the gallery is free to the public, however donations are appreciated. There are donation boxes at all main entrances to the gallery.

Absolutely yes! This tour was designed by our museum educators and experts to be fun and interactive. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible expert.

Yes, the gallery is fully accessible.