This must-see museum houses over 160,000 portraits of famous Brits (think Mick Jagger, Queen Victoria) dating back to the 16th century. It also is home to a trove of Cecil Beaton images.
Most of the gallery exhibits are available for a suggested £1 donation, enough to keep you busy for at least a couple of hours. Great way to learn some of the history you won't find in the books.
Came here for Marc Quinn's Blood Head. Instant wow-factor! And for the Tudor portraits exhibition, which unfortunately was on loan in Paris when I went. Rest of the collection is great.
One of the most important galleries in London, it's a must if you are already at trafalgar, it's right behind the national gallery. Tons of paintings and sculptures from different eras.
It's not as famous as its generalist neighbour, but it's well worth a visit in its own right. Keep an eye out for temporary exhibitions, too, although not all of them are worth the money.
The Café at -1 has plenty of room, big cakes and usually a queue. The Bar & café at -3 is bigger and fancier, less family friendly and no cakes, but has less queues and nice photo portraits
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