Will I be able to get to the National Gallery this weekend or will we be delayed by protests?

[DefiniteMeteor]

I would like to visit the National Gallery this weekend with my son, 9 and my aunt, 73.
I don’t go into that part of London much. Will we be very delayed/caught up in any protests?
Also, we are Jewish, I don’t have any concerns about physical confrontation but equally I don’t want my little DS to be exposed to any anti semetic chants or imagery, we are supposed to be having a nice day out and I would just like to not have to deal with any subtext (I know all about Israel’s actions thank you in case you feel a need to educate)
Thanks

Do you have knowledge that there are big protests for something planned for this weekend? Unless I am missing something, I can't see anything obvious, apart from the Iran situation which may develop but even if it does, is unlikely to attract huge numbers.

You don't say where you're travelling from but even if there is a gathering in Trafalgar Sq it's extremely unlikely to block your access to the NG, especially if you approach from the north side and not from Westminster.

London life and business goes on 24/7 whatever else is happening, We tend to ignore it and just make our way past, whatever else is going on.

Can’t see any planned protests that will affect you. There are normally a few pally flag wavers knocking about central London but you can just ignore them if you see them. There may be antisemitic graffiti but it’s unlikely in that part of touristy London. You are unlikely to be confronted by any antisemitism.
Unless you are visibly Jewish 😞
Even then, National Gallery should be fine.
I hope you have a lovely day out - the gallery is wonderful.

I can't find any planned protests when I Google, and it's highly unlikely that entrance to the gallery would be blocked even if there was one in Trafalgar Square.

So I would simply go ahead with your plans. The only unplanned (so far) demonstrations that I can imagine happening would be regarding Iran, but as a pp said, that wouldn't be huge and would probably focus on the embassy, not Trafalgar Square.

Do you know how you are getting to the National Gallery?

There are usually protests of some description in Trafalgar Square. If you are coming by tube I'd suggest Leicester Square not Charing Cross so you aren't walking past the whole Square.

Walk down Charing Cross road, turn right into Trafalgar Square and then go straight into the Getty Entrance instead of the main Sainsbury Entrance to avoid protests as much as possible.

Alternatively head round the back of the Gallery - you may find an entrance open. If not basically go all the way round so you approach the Sainsbury entrance without going into Trafalgar Square at all.

I hope you all have a lovely day.

Thanks all…. I had thought there were generally protests there most weekends but perhaps that’s a mistaken impression from the media!
We are coming from Islington and I was going to tube to Oxford Circus then change and get off at Charing Cross. I will have a play with the routes and try and get off at Leicester Square instead.
@Tallypoo193 I am very robust by myself but shepherding my aunt (not a confident London traveller and convinced London is full of Islamic terrorists ready to kill her - she was refused an Uber on October 8th 2023 for being Jewish and has never and will never get over it) and a 9yo, I feel a bit apprehensive!

she was refused an Uber on October 8th 2023 for being Jewish

That's terrible. I'm so sad that she had that experience. I hope she has a lovely time with you and everything goes smoothly.

There are always protests in Trafalgar Square. Most of the time it's just a tiny group making noise but given current events I wouldn't be surprised to see much bigger groups.

I am so sorry for your aunt's experience and hope you are all able to have a relaxing day.

I am so sorry that you have to worry about this.

If it is any help, I've been around Trafalgar Square a few weekends recently and haven't been aware of any protesters. I'm sure there were the odd people shouting about something somewhere, there always is in London, but not that we noticed. So whilst I would probably avoid it if there was a big planned protest, in the absence of that I don't think you'll have any issues.

Unfortunately, there are disgusting pro-Pal/anti-semites out most weekends in the West End, but then again, I've seen then often in Islington too. I understand completely about your not wanting to expose your son but if you place limitations on activities to avoid anti-semitism, then the racists win.

Not sure where you are in Islington but could I suggest avoid the tube, and take a couple of buses? The 24 goes right past Trafalgar Square, and intersects with routes 73, 38 and 19. Or if you want to tube it, get off and Warren Street, and take the 24 bus direct. When you have to change trains, you often end up walking what seems to be miles (not ideal for your aunt perhaps?).

Anyway, I hope you have a lovely day out.

I used to work just off Trafalgar Square at weekends. Protests, altho' frequent, seldom caused any real issues as there are plenty of side streets to get round them and anyway the Square is large and the protests seldom as large as the organisers would have you believe.

I don't think you will have any real problems.

The only two events that did cause problems were the anti-Brexit protest (the largest I have ever seen in the Square) and the Canadians celebrating 150 years of Confederation back in 2017 - and that was because it was rammed with happy people having a good time and wanting you to have one too!

[Edited for typo.]

There aren't "always" protests in Trafalgar Square and even the big marches/events are marshalled and don't take over the whole square.

I don't know if a march is planned for this weekend, but even if it is, it won't necessarily go through Trafalgar Square.

Personally I wouldn't advise going by bus because, in the event of a march, buses with routes through Trafalgar Square are terminated and turned around before they reach TS.

Using Leicester Square instead of Charing Cross is a good suggestion, although you'll probably face more problems battling through the hoards of tourists. You could take the route around the back via Orange Street and St Martin's Street and reach the entrance in the Sainsbury Wing that way.

(On a tangent, be aware that full size umbrellas (not small foldable ones that you can put in a bag) have to be checked in at the cloakroom and there's a fixed charge per item.)

There is a rally in Trafalgar Square in support of Iran on Saturday starting at 1pm. You could ring the NG and see if the back entrance will be open so you can avoid the crowds. Tell them you need a step free entrance for your aunt.

While I may not know what happens in Trafalgar Square every day, every time I've been there some form of protest has been going on. Usually it's small - 2 guys and a loudspeaker small. Sometimes there's more than one and often then they are arguing with it each other.

Given OP's family's very distressing experiences it's not surprising she wants to make sure there is absolutely no chance of crossing paths with a protest.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and practical suggestions.