Portico Terrace

The National Gallery

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  • From £18000
  • 100 Standing
  • Charing Cross
  • From £18000
  • 100 Standing
  • Charing Cross
The only venue in London offering alfresco dining with direct views over iconic Trafalgar Square from a historic National Gallery terrace.
Edward Poland
Edward Poland

Venue Expert @ Hire Space

  • Accommodates up to 250 guests
  • Portico Foyer extension available
  • Evening hire until 02:00
  • Dedicated event manager included
  • Trafalgar Square views
  • Black and white mosaic floor
  • Alfresco dining capability
  • Central Hall wet weather backup

Overlooking Trafalgar Square, our Portico Terrace sits in the heart of London. An outdoor terrace for summer receptions and breakfasts with a view.




Frequently asked questions

Dry venue hire starts from £18,000 + VAT, which includes the venue, an event manager, security, first aid, and cleaning/porter teams. For standing receptions, this covers a three-hour hire with guest access from 18:45/19:00 – 22:00, while seated dinners cost £20,000 + VAT for a four-hour hire with guest access from 18:45/19:00 – 23:00.

Yes, you can extend your event beyond 22:00 or 23:00 up to 02:00 at £2,000 + VAT per hour. All events must end by 02:00 maximum.

Evening events cannot be hosted on Fridays as the gallery is open to the public until 21:00. Events are available Monday through Thursday and weekends, with the gallery closing at 18:00 on these days to allow for evening hire from 18:45.

The venue is not available on New Year's Eve due to Trafalgar Square celebrations and road closures that prevent supplier access. Additionally, November tends to be heavily booked with limited availability.

Yes, catering, production, florist, and entertainment are in addition to the facility fee and must be provided through one of the venue's approved suppliers. You must select from their Accredited Supplier List and cannot bring in external vendors.

The Yves Saint Laurent room is priced at £10,000 + VAT and can accommodate up to 60 people for a four-hour hire from 18:45/19:00 – 23:00. The Pigott Theatre evening hire starts at £15,000 + VAT and can accommodate up to 300 people in theatre-style seating.

The venue cannot host ticketed events as per gallery policy. This means you cannot sell tickets to the public for your event, limiting it to private, invitation-only gatherings.

Exhibition access at the National Gallery is an exclusive benefit of Corporate Support only. For events that include private views of exhibitions, you must contact the Corporate Team separately, as this is not included in standard venue hire.




More about The National Gallery

The National Gallery, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, offers a breathtaking setting for your next event.  Whether you're planning a glamorous Gala, an elegant wedding, a high-profile corporate dinner, or an intimate private celebration, the National Gallery is a versatile and prestigious space that transforms any occasion for 10 – 2,000 people, into an unforgettable experience.  Set in the heart of London, overlooking Trafalgar Square, the venue welcomes your guests through its iconic Portico terrace and hosts them in picture galleries filled with masterpieces.