Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is the world’s largest museum dedicated to art, design, and performance. Located in South Kensington (Nearest tube), it was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Its vast collections span over 5,000 years of human creativity, including fashion, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and decorative arts from cultures around the globe.

Visitors can explore beautifully curated galleries ranging from historic British design to contemporary exhibitions, as well as impressive period rooms and temporary shows. The museum also features a peaceful central courtyard and a grand café, making it a cultural hub for both learning and relaxation. Entry to the permanent collections is free, with some special exhibitions requiring tickets. Recent exhibitions include Divas, Naomi (Campbell) and more recently Schiaparelli (until 8th November 2026)

Opening times: Daily: 10am - 5.45pm Friday (extended hours until 22.00 but some galleries close at 5.45pm) Staff begin clearing the galleries 30 mins early.

Accessibility: The nearest step free tube station is Knightsbridge (0.6 miles). The Cromwell Road and Exhibition Roads offer step free access. Wheelchairs are available along with discounted tickets. See the website for more information.

Coming soon: Freddie Mercury - Splendid Things (Begins Saturday 24th October - Free un-ticketed). Discover 8 looks spanning Freddie's incredible career in his 80th anniversary year.

Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires A major UK-first exhibition exploring 1,600 years of extraordinary art and design. (Opens Saturday 7th November)

Good to know: The V&A is located in the heart of the museum district at South Kensington, along side the Science and Natural History museums. From here, visitors can walk to Knightsbridge (10-15 mins walk) to do some shopping at the world famous Harrods store, or alternatively at the top of Exhibition Road is Kensington Gardens with it's historic palace and lakes, leading through to Hyde Park.

Find out more here