A GRAND DAY OUT VISITING THE NATIONAL GALLERY

In 2024 we, at The Arts Society, Hambleton, based in North Yorkshire were treated to an excellent lecture on “The history of the National gallery”  by Simon Whitehouse.   Simon is a Blue Badge  guide/lecturer specialising in the National Gallery, the Globe Theatre and the Royal Opera House.  We were very impressed by Simon’s delivery and decided to book one of his lecture tours of the National Gallery as one of our visit in 2025

And so it was - on the 16 September 20 of us travelled to London. Some had made an overnight visit of it.  Others travelled for the day on our direct highspeed NE rail link.  At 2.00 pm we gathered in the Great Building for our lecture tour.  We were treated to two excellent hours of the history of the National Collection brought together in 1824 at 100 Pall Mall and which soon began to outgrow the premises. Then, how by pariamentary decree the beginnings of the current complex was commissioned and opened to the public in 1838  

Simom explained the comimg and goings as the collection was expanded and the site was developed and extended, essentially the facade only remaining.  All this was delivered as we viewed and had explained the notable works acquired during that long  process

Events Secretary Jacquie Danilewicz said "A splendid tour.  Simon was highly informative with an easy manner and much humour  His tour took us through the years, describing the highs and lows and of course highlighted by his insight into the key works of art.  An enjoyable and infomative experience. So very worthwhile"

As we say up North it was indeed A GRAND DAY OUT

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