The Courtauld Gallery
London · United Kingdom · Founded 1932
Quick answer
The Courtauld Gallery in London, United Kingdom — the Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Admission: £11 standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
The Courtauld Gallery at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | £11 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 10 AM opening for the quietest rooms. |
| Getting there | Metro: Temple or Charing Cross — 5-minute walk to Somerset House on the Strand |
| Address | Strand, London WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom |
| Official website | courtauld.ac.uk |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is the Courtauld Gallery known for?
The Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. It moved into Somerset House's North Wing in 1989.
Following a major refurbishment completed in 2021, the gallery reopened with refreshed displays of its renowned collection — one of Britain's greatest holdings of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
The collection is intimate in scale but extraordinary in quality — Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin in rooms that feel like a private collection rather than a national museum.
Somerset House courtyard, with its fountains and ice rink, is one of London's great public spaces — free to enter and a perfect complement to the gallery visit.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at the Courtauld Gallery?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at The Courtauld Gallery without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
📍 Room 6, Great Room
Manet's last major work — a barmaid reflected in a mirror behind a marble counter, with a ghostly male figure visible in the glass.
- 2
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
📍 Room 7
Van Gogh's self-portrait painted after he severed his ear — the bandaged head and fur cap conveying both physical pain and artistic resolve.
- 3
Mount Sainte-Victoire
📍 Room 8
Cézanne's late view of the mountain near Aix-en-Provence — geometric facets of colour that bridge Impressionism and Cubism.
- 4
The Card Players
📍 Room 8
One of Cézanne's five versions of peasant card players — monumental figures in a compressed interior, a cornerstone of modern art.
What are the must-see works at the Courtauld Gallery?
4 highlights that define the collection: A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Mount Sainte-Victoire and more.
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
Édouard Manet · 1882
📍 Room 6, Great Room
Manet's last major work — a barmaid reflected in a mirror behind a marble counter, with a ghostly male figure visible in the glass. One of the most analysed paintings in art history.
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Vincent van Gogh · 1889
📍 Room 7
Van Gogh's self-portrait painted after he severed his ear — the bandaged head and fur cap conveying both physical pain and artistic resolve. One of two Van Gogh self-portraits in the collection.
Mount Sainte-Victoire
Paul Cézanne · c. 1902–1906
📍 Room 8
Cézanne's late view of the mountain near Aix-en-Provence — geometric facets of colour that bridge Impressionism and Cubism.
The Card Players
Paul Cézanne · c. 1892–1896
📍 Room 8
One of Cézanne's five versions of peasant card players — monumental figures in a compressed interior, a cornerstone of modern art.
Collections and highlights
- • Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces
- • Samuel Courtauld's personal collection
- • Medieval and Renaissance art — Cranach, Bruegel
- • The Great Room — Rubens ceiling
- • Decorative arts and sculpture
- • Somerset House setting
Famous works with their own guide
Tips for visiting the Courtauld Gallery
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 10 AM opening for the quietest rooms. Somerset House courtyard is free year-round.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — far less crowded than the National Gallery or Tate. The Manet and Van Gogh rooms can get busy.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
£11 standard admission; book online at courtauld.ac.uk. Under-18s free.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Courtauld Café; Somerset House restaurants; Strand and Covent Garden dining.
- 5.
Accessibility
Lift access to all galleries after the 2021 refurbishment. Fully accessible.
How do you get to the Courtauld Gallery?
- metro Temple or Charing Cross — 5-minute walk to Somerset House on the Strand
- bus Bus 9, 11, 15, 23, 87 along the Strand
- walk 10 minutes from Covent Garden; 5 minutes from Waterloo Bridge
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom
The Courtauld Gallery: frequently asked questions
Is the Somerset House courtyard free?
Yes, the courtyard, ice rink in winter, and fountains in summer are all free.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, in most of the galleries without flash.
How long should I spend at The Courtauld Gallery?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of the Courtauld Gallery. Our 4-stop route — A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Mount Sainte-Victoire and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is The Courtauld Gallery best known for?
The Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. It moved into Somerset House's North Wing in 1989. Key highlights include A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Van Gogh, Mountains at Saint-Rémy by Van Gogh.
How do I get tickets for The Courtauld Gallery?
Admission: £11 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/
Which single painting should I not miss?
Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère — the mirror reflection, the barmaid's expression, and the ghostly figure make it one of the greatest paintings in any London museum.
Is the Courtauld Gallery open on Mondays?
Yes — the Courtauld Gallery is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are the Courtauld Gallery's opening hours?
The Courtauld Gallery is open daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
