• August 18, 2025

Venue of the Week: The National Gallery

Venue of the Week: The National Gallery

Venue of the Week: The National Gallery 1024 683 micebook.

By Susie Harwood

Last November, I was invited to a hard hat tour of the Sainsbury Wing at The National Gallery. At the time, the Grade 1 Listed building was still undergoing its £85m redevelopment, which was completed in May, and last week I was invited back to see the transformation first-hand.

The makeover was primarily designed to create a more welcoming environment for visitors but has also enhanced the venue’s event hire opportunities. Work, which has taken place over two years and took a ‘re-use first’ approach to materials for sustainability, included a reconfiguration of the ground floor entrance, creating flexible new spaces for out-of-hours events.

The Sainsbury Wing Foyer. Credit: Ian Tuttle

With its redesigned foyer, step-free entrance, and new public square, the Sainsbury Wing now serves as the new main entrance to the National Gallery. The foyer and entrance area provides a great blank canvas that can be used for large evening receptions and parties once the galleries are closed (the premiere and launch event for the Real Housewives of London was held the night before my visit).

A new mezzanine level, with a circular statement bar and restaurant by Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli, is a great new addition, providing a visually impactful space for pre-dinner gatherings overlooking Trafalgar Square. It also features a new versatile space, the Whitcomb room, ideal for team activities, private business lunches and full-day board meetings for smaller groups.

At the heart of the redevelopment is the venue’s 322-seat lecture theatre, now benefitting from a fully accessible main stage and state-of-the-art AV facilities for presentations, conferences, film screenings, award ceremonies, product launches, and more. The lecture theatre foyer can also be included for receptions, networking, and catering, with the addition of daytime event spaces on the wing’s first floor available for business meetings and events.

The new and improved Lecture Theatre. Credit: National Gallery

The Gallery has also invested in the latest AV and technology advancements. New technologies, such as a vast digital welcome wall, can include bespoke client welcome messaging and branding during out-of-hours commercial events. Catering has been reimagined, with new partner Searcy’s delivering new spring/summer 2025 menus. Options include a range of breakfast and lunch options, from freshly made sandwiches to plant-based salads.

Other developments include a new Supporters House, a fabulous and stylish space within the former offices of the historic Wilkins Building, with dedicated areas for the Gallery supporters and members. Out of hours, this space will also be available for venue hire from the autumn. With a separate entrance from Trafalgar Square, it also has its own bar, private dining room, lounge, and event space for up to 100 guests.

The new Supporters House. Credit: National Gallery

In addition, the Gallery’s new and transformed Roden Centre for Creative Learning can also be used for commercial events out of hours, with direct access to the North Galleries for unique settings for memorable events surrounded by masterpieces.

Curated art-based event packages

Following the reopening, The National Gallery launched a series of curated meetings and events packages designed to drive business success through the power of inspiration and mindfulness found in art.

Rooted in four key pillars: creativity, mindfulness, enrichment, and connection, this collection of new packages offers immersive experiences that go far beyond the traditional event format. Each package includes a tailor-made guided tour by an art historian, taking delegates through works of art which directly resonate with the chosen theme.

Dinner in the Galleries. Credit: Flo Brooks

The Creativity package, aimed at inspiring innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, is perfect for brainstorms, strategy meetings, launch events and workshops, and takes delegates on an out-of-hours tour highlighting works from such renowned artists as Van Gogh and Turner. The Mindfulness package, ideal for team-building days or reflective sessions, offers guided meditation within the gallery. Delegates will immerse themselves in the narrative, colours and emotions of a selected painting, encouraging mindfulness and a sense of calm.

The Enrichment package, recommended for conferences, workshops and training sessions, empowers teams with educational, perspective-broadening experiences, taking delegates on an art history journey to bring paintings to life. Finally, the Connection package is tailored for networking events and away days. It encourages collaboration by exploring selected artworks through interactive discussions, helping delegates connect to art and each other while also reflecting on the relevance of the pieces to current social and cultural issues.

“With this transformation, we are redefining what it means to host events in an inspiring setting. We have created an environment where creativity, mindfulness and connection can thrive,” says Clare Arouche, head of events & hospitality at the National Gallery.

“We’re encouraging organisers to build in moments of enrichment and mindfulness, whether that’s a private gallery tour before opening, or a bespoke meditation inspired by the art, so guests leave feeling inspired, connected and truly cared for. The redesigned spaces, particularly the Sainsbury Wing foyer, give us far more flexibility to create unforgettable experiences – from receptions for hundreds to intimate dinners – and since reopening, demand has exceeded all our forecasts. It’s been wonderful to see how quickly the events community has embraced what we can now offer.”

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