Review: Is the National Gallery Tour and Afternoon Tea Worth it?

London, you see, is just packed with things to do, from the old Tower to fancy afternoon teas. You’ll often hear about seeing its amazing art collection along with that most British of traditions, afternoon tea, very often grouped together. But, is a tour of the National Gallery followed by all those little cakes and sandwiches at a fancy spot really worth your time, and your cash, too?

What to Anticipate From the National Gallery Guided Tour

OK, so before you even think about scones, there’s the art. The National Gallery, that is, sits right in the heart of London in Trafalgar Square, a place that, you see, is basically overflowing with history and culture. A guided tour, right, often starts with an intro to the Gallery’s heavy hitters, that are its most well-known masterpieces. Tours often tend to zoom in on the stories behind some of its masterpieces, not just like, dates and art styles.

The guides, anyway, usually really do know their stuff, and they’ve usually got this gift for bringing the paintings to life. You’ll often find you’re not just staring at paint on canvas; they are pretty good at painting this picture in your head, so to speak, of the artists’ lives, the periods they were in, and the secrets hidden in the art. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes bits that might just make you view pieces like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” or Monet’s “Water Lilies” in this whole new way.

I have taken loads of these types of tours, and the best bit is really that they tailor what they tell you, for the group in front of them. I did once go on this very dry tour, a long time ago, and felt I could have read from information boards myself, as I listened. A very great tour guide, very much like those at the National Gallery, knows how to work a crowd, or even a group of one.

Scones and Culture: A Deeper Look at the Afternoon Tea

Now, for some, the peak of this experience is when you get all those goodies during the afternoon tea. Most packages will offer this up at some very grand place nearby, almost likely a swanky hotel or a very well-to-do tea room, that, right, fits the tone of the National Gallery. Be sure to look closely to decide if its right for you.

Forget your big sandwich; think tiny, crustless sandwiches, those little scones that, seemingly, melt in your mouth with jam and clotted cream, plus little cakes that are as nice to view as they are to eat. So too, it is all served with a menu of teas, to cover most tastes. It’s not just, like, eating; it’s almost an experience, that’s for certain, with often some music and always with silver service.

Some think it’s the best bit after some time soaking up some very fancy paintings. It can feel very lavish. A tip I would share is, check what kind of tea is bundled in the package, because you could very likely feel let down, and think it would be much nicer in a cheaper cafe around the square.

A Look at What It Costs, and Deciding if it’s Worth It

Alright, let’s talk money. It will change based on what the tour offers and what the afternoon tea bit has. Generally, for a tour plus a nice afternoon tea, you might just be eyeing up paying anywhere from about £80 to £150 for each person. To me, that’s not cheap, right, so you will really want it to be pretty special.

Is it all really worth it? Good question, that is. If you’re super into art, and you think you’ll dig getting the story behind it, with tasty things in your belly, and this fits your spending cash, you’ll probably think it’s all very well spent. If the cash bit feels tight, or you would not give much for art chat, or for sandwiches, that is tiny, it could feel way too expensive.

Something that has a value can change a bit for who is enjoying it. The real appeal to some folks is more about a relaxed bit of luxury and fancy cakes. If this sounds good, then you’ll maybe see it as worth it for sure, even if some people wouldn’t!

Making the Most of Your Gallery and Tea Experience

Here’s how, it is, you get all you can from doing the Gallery tour and that tea afterwards:

Give time to book: Nice hotels and popular tour times, they just get booked up, especially during tourist season. Booking really early can save any worry and probably some money.
Come prepared: For the art part, put on some walking shoes and maybe get ready with questions for the tour guide. They, to me, really love this!
Give the tea some thought: Have a view on the dress code for tea. Lots of posh places are happy with casual wear, just smart.
Ask where you’re at: Check, as I said, that where they want you to eat and drink isn’t ages away, but really close, to the National Gallery, so it’s simple to head right to tea time.

Before deciding, give some thought to just what you’re looking to get from the visit, very much like great art learning or posh bites with cakes. Give attention, that is, to what you want to see and enjoy. It will give you something that feels spot-on. Do your homework for that great London day out.

Other Stuff You Might Like Around the National Gallery

When you’re near the National Gallery, you’ve then got the world at your feet. Very popular theaters and plays are close by in the West End. So, too, Chinatown is also really very nearby.

Trafalgar Square: Take a bit to chill here and view Nelson’s Column and the famous lions. Always some stuff and shows being pulled off and is great fun, to view this hub in London.
National Portrait Gallery: Next door is another of the nation’s great collections of art, really on people rather than scenes and items.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields: Right on the corner, visit, right, this wonderful church with often very pretty music performances.

Right next door is London, to see after tea! Jump on a bus, that is, to the shops, theaters and shows. It is almost perfect to plan your entire day here in the centre of this city.