National Gallery: where does the money come from?
The National Gallery had income of £92m in the year to March 2026, and 36% of it was government grant-in-aid. It welcomed 4,456,444 visitors.
What does the National Gallery do?
The National Gallery, on Trafalgar Square in London, holds the national collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It was founded in 1824 and shows its collection free of charge. It is funded by government grant-in-aid, with its own income coming from paid exhibitions, a trading company running shops, publishing and catering, membership, donations and sponsorship. Its collection is built around paintings rather than sculpture or decorative arts.
In brief: national gallery · Western European painting · free entry, paid exhibitions · Trafalgar Square, London
Source: the National Gallery's own website, retrieved 27 September 2026.
Where does the National Gallery's money come from?
Government grant-in-aid brought in £33m, 36% of the total. The rest, £58m, came from what the National Gallery earns and raises itself: admissions, shops and catering, donations and other income.
- Government grant-in-aid £33m 36%
- Admissions and exhibitions £2m 3%
- Shops, catering and commercial £26m 28%
- Donations and legacies £27m 29%
- Other income £3m 3%
What did the National Gallery spend, and what is it worth?
| Measure | Mar 2026 | Previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Total income | £92m | £104m |
| Total spending | £77m | |
| Net income before gains | £14m | |
| Staff costs | £31m | |
| Staff | 555 | |
| Net assets | £828m | |
| Cash | £14m | |
| Visitors | 4,456,444 | |
| Income per visitor | £20.54 | |
| Grant-in-aid per visitor | £7.49 |
Net income is before investment gains and property revaluations. For a charity it is the surplus kept for the collection and buildings, not a profit paid out.
- Legal form
- Exempt charity and non-departmental public body sponsored by DCMS
- Sites
- National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London
- Trading company
- National Gallery Global Limited (02280277)
- Latest accounts
- Year to 31 March 2026
National Gallery: common questions
How much money does the National Gallery get from the government?
£33m of grant-in-aid in the year to March 2026, 36% of its total income of £92m.
How much does the National Gallery spend?
£77m in the year to March 2026, of which staff costs were £31m.
How many people visit the National Gallery?
4,456,444 in the year to March 2026 (Visits to the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (up 39% on 2024-25)), according to its annual report.
Why isn't the National Gallery on the Companies House register?
The National Gallery is exempt charity and non-departmental public body sponsored by DCMS, so it publishes its accounts in an annual report rather than filing them at Companies House. Its trading company, National Gallery Global Limited, does file there.
Spark Intel, “National Gallery: where does the money come from?”, updated 28 September 2026. https://www.spark-intel.co.uk/companies/national-gallery/. Figures from National Gallery's annual report and accounts for the year to 31 March 2026.
More from Spark Intel
Battle
The battle of the national museums and galleries: turnover, profit and staff compared
Read →Company profile
Bet365: who owns it and what the accounts show
Read →Company profile
Mitchells & Butlers: who owns it and what the accounts show
Read →Company profile
Greene King: who owns it and what the accounts show
Read →Company profiles
Every company profile, by sector
Read →VS Series
Every VS comparison: two businesses, settled with accounts
Read →Bright Sparks