The Courtauld Gallery displays masterpieces that span from the medieval period to the modern day across three floors. Of particular note is its impressionist and post-impressionist collection, considered the best of its kind in the UK. Collection highlights include A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Édouard Manet, Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent Van Gogh, The Card Players by Paul Cézanne, and Vase of Flowers by Claude Monet.
The Courtauld Gallery, located in Somerset House on the Strand, is easy to visit independently as part of a cultural day out in central London. It’s a featured stop on several London art tours and is included in the cost-saving Go City scheme. It attracts fewer visitors than the nearby National Gallery, but its collection is equally impressive.
The Courtauld Gallery is accessible to wheelchair users and has an accessible toilet.
For a wide range of gift items, head to the Courtauld Shop in a vaulted space below the building.
Stop for a drink or a bite at the Courtauld’s all-day restaurant, the Art Café.
Students and those 18 and under can visit the museum for free; tickets can be bought in person or online.
The Courtauld Gallery is cashless and does not accept American Express cards.
The Courtauld Gallery is in Somerset House. The door is to your right if using the main entrance on the Strand. Many Tube stations are nearby, including Covent Garden, Holborn, Charing Cross, Temple, and Embankment. A range of local bus lines serve the area. Taxis and rideshare services offer another easy way to get there.
The Courtauld Gallery is open daily from morning to early evening, and the last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Note that the gallery is usually busy on weekends and for school holidays—visit at other times for a less crowded experience. In addition to its permanent collection, the gallery hosts a range of temporary exhibitions. Check the website to see what's new.
An architectural and historic London icon, Somerset House was once used for government offices and has been reborn as a creative hub. In addition to the Courtauld Gallery, it hosts a wide range of exhibition areas and cafés on site. Its main courtyard hosts several popular annual events, including Skate at Somerset House in winter for ice skating and the Somerset House Summer Series of concerts in summer.
