Last Updated on August 25, 2026
A private members’ space at The National Gallery
Entering a large black door in London, I experienced a world new to me. It was not No. 10, but Supporters’ House on Trafalgar Square. Located alongside the National Gallery, this is the portal known to members, who can relax here away from the bustle of the museum itself. It hosts private events and a large and comfortable members’ room where drinks, meals or even a space to do some work on your laptop are on offer.
Although Supporters’ House is closed to the public, it is open to National Gallery members. This historic space was first lived in by the Keeper of the National Gallery in 1855. In those days, the museum had some 38 paintings in its permanent collection, and up to 100 on loan. The man who lived here with his family, Ralph Nicholson Wornum, was both what we might nowadays call a curator and also a security guard. The Keepers were required to live on site to protect the collection from fire.
It is hard to imagine such early beginnings to this national institution having such a fledgling collection, although even today the National Gallery has a modest collection (around 2 300 paintings) compared to museums such as the Louvre and similar museums in Europe that were formed after nationalising their existing royal collections. In the UK, the monarch still holds the royal collection in private museums such as The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace.
Invited to lunch at Supporters’ House, I first enjoyed a drink in the Pink Room, which was part of the living quarters of the Keeper and his family. Today it is beautifully appointed with walls and furnishings in dusky pink. Over a glass of Searcy’s Brut, the invited guests chatted to some of the custodians of the gallery, before settling down for lunch in the private dining room. This would make a rather fabulous venue for a private party – I had no idea that weddings and private events can be arranged at the National Gallery.
The three-course meal was designed by Giorgio Locatelli, who curates the menus at Supporters’ House Restaurant. An excellent rosemary sourdough was served with a fruity extra virgin olive oil from Agrigento in Sicily. This was followed by a gorgonzola risotto with balsamic vinegar and marinated figs. This creamy and delicious dish reminded me of why I leave risotto to the professionals. Dessert was a large square of tiramisu.
After a leisurely lunch, we could all have done with a lie-down on what was a swelteringly hot day. However, we were soon enlivened by an inspiring tour by Aliki Braine, who introduced us to a clutch of paintings that shared the theme of food and hospitality. From Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus (1601 to Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Velázquez (around 1618), we discovered hidden symbols and messages that viewers nowadays might need some help to decode. I enjoyed this tour so much that I had a look at the National Gallery website, where there are tours that visitors can join to learn more about some of the extraordinary paintings in the collection.
While access to the permanent collection is free, there is a charge for the temporary exhibitions, which tend to be blockbuster shows, and it can be difficult to get tickets. Therefore, a National Gallery membership is a good idea, especially if you usually go to these exhibitions. I have recently enjoyed the Zubaran exhibition and before that, Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350. National Gallery members also have access to membership previews of new exhibitions as well as special events and tours.
Membership starts from a reasonable £68 per year, which gives free access to the temporary exhibitions, invitations to Member-only previews, and a curated programme of in-gallery and digital events. House membership is £130 per year – add on £50 if you want to be able to take a plus one to the exhibitions – and, additionally, gives access to Supporters’ House and a curated programme of House events. If you add up the cost of attending these exhibitions and add the value of access to Supporters’ House, membership is money well spent – and a great Christmas gift for art lovers.
Supporters’ House, 5 Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, London, is the private members’ club at The National Gallery.
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