Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum has the largest collection of decorative arts and design in the world
With a collection exceeding 4.5 million different items, London's Victoria and Albert Museum is unrivalled in its category. In spite of having 145 galleries spread over 51000 square metres, only a portion of the massive collection of fine arts can be displayed at any one time. Items go back as far as 5000 years and cover nearly every medium of art.
Here you will find a vast collection of items including, sculptures, textiles, glass and ceramics, jewellery, silver, iron works, furniture, textiles, costumes, prints, photographs and drawings from every corner of the world.
The Victoria and Albert museum is named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The first building on the site was constructed in 1857. Subsequent expansions and updates have resulted in today's large museum and its variety of architecture. Another feature is a central garden area with a water feature and summertime cafe. Inside there is a cafe offering hot and cold meals that is open year round.
Since this is a public museum, admission to all of the permanent galleries is free, making it a great place to visit even when travelling on a budget.
This museum is located on Exhibition Road adjacent to both the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, so you may want to consider visiting them while in the area.
To learn more about the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as special exhibitions and hours you can visit their official website linked above.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoVictoria and Albert Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK
Phone: 020 7942 2000
Official Website: Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum Reviews
Rated
out of 5 I really wanted to like the Victoria and Albert Museum, but sadly, it didn’t quite live up to the hype — and not just because of the art. Let’s start with the staff. Oh boy. They were like museum robots with a side of attitude. When I asked a simple question about the exhibits, I got a look like I’d just asked them to solve world peace. Seriously, what’s the point of hiring staff if they act like they’re too important to help you?
Then there was the whole "disciplining my children" situation. Apparently, whispering in a museum is a punishable offense. The staff member tried to play the authority figure when my kids were quietly chatting, but once I stepped in and told them to back off, they literally ran and hid. A bit of a cowardly move, honestly.
As for the museum itself, wow, overwhelming isn’t the half of it. The ceramics floor was nice, sure, but it felt like it took up the whole building. I get it, pottery is important, but after an hour of trying to convince my kids that "vases" are thrilling, I was pretty ready to bolt.
In the end, the only thing exciting about leaving was stepping out into the rainy London weather — at least I got some fresh air! This museum might be free to enter, but I’d argue that’s about the only positive. It’s a long, tedious stroll through exhibits that, quite frankly, felt more like a test of patience than a cultural enrichment experience. If you’re looking for a fun day out, I’d suggest trying literally anything else.
Jay S - in the last week
I had the perfect museum experience here. I came relatively early and so there were less people around to begin with during my visit. The different exhibitions were very interesting and provided something for everyone. Very large cafe and giftshop were popular among the visitors to the museum. An outdoor area provides visitors with a quiet space to rest or have a snack.
Mary - a week ago
What an awesome place. Tons of fascinating things in multiple rooms on multiple levels of a gorgeous building. We had 3 hours and didn't even come close to seeing everything. Could have spent an entire day in the photography rooms or the sculpture rooms.
Sherri Kooy - a week ago
The museum is absolutely fascinating, boasting a vast collection of historical artifacts that span centuries. From intricate art pieces to stunning sculptures, the museum houses a treasure trove of human creativity and ingenuity. What's even more incredible is that entry to this cultural gem is free, making it accessible to everyone.
I spent an entire day exploring the different galleries and immersing myself in the rich history and culture on display. Each artifact told a unique story, reflecting the diverse tapestry of human civilization. It was a journey through time, and I found myself marveling at the craftsmanship and artistry of each piece.
I must say that the visit was worth every minute spent. The sheer depth and breadth of the collection left me in awe, and I came away with a renewed sense of appreciation for art and history. I left feeling inspired and enriched, with a newfound curiosity to learn more about the world around me.
I highly recommend visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum if you ever get the chance. It offers a window into the past and a glimpse of the beauty and creativity that have shaped our world. There is so much to see, discover, and learn within its walls, and I believe it's an experience that you would thoroughly enjoy.
fearrow - 2 months ago
This museum is massive and could take half a day to see properly. It has collections from most countries all over the world, I really liked the collections from Japan, Korea, the jewels and silver and also the sculpture hall was pretty cool. There was a whole section on fashion, technology and developments to the modern world, an ancient library which you are allowed to sit and read in, and a when we went the Naomi fashion collection was ongoing.
Free to enter and there is also a massive cafe too. Overall a great museum if you are interested in history and ornaments.
Lava Yuki - 3 weeks ago
Directions
Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines | South Kensington Station | 5 MInutes |
How to get to Victoria and Albert Museum by Tube
From South Kensington Station exit onto Thurloe Street and walk to your right (east) ½ block to Exhibition Road and follow it north then right on Cromwell Gardens to the entrance on your left side.
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