Allow me to share a tip with those of you planning to visit London .
To the west and north of the National Gallery (separated building) there is a very interesting place called @nationalportraitgallery .
This is a gallery dedicated to portraiture where you will find portraits of people who have had an impact in their field. Because the thread is portraiture, you will find examples from different eras (contemporary and "vintage") giving you plenty of anthropological insight of the times the subjects lived in. The portraits speak loudly without words.
The gallery, like most in London, has a collection you can visit for free (if you can afford it, there are boxes where you can donate what you can afford) and exhibitions you have to buy a ticket for.
The (now called) Herbert Smith Feeehills Portrait Award is something I would recommend to anyone who is interested in seeing where portraiture is heading and the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize for those who specifically enjoy photography.
Another thing to be mindful of, if you find yourself in the area (particularly useful during busy periods when it vould feel challenging to find a coffee spot) is that they have a beautiful cafe , a bar, a restaurant and since very recently, they even have a pavilion on the street, in a gorgeous converted disused theatre ticket kiosk.
