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
This is one of the museums you can visit for free. It's quite large, so you can easily spend the whole day there. The exhibits are very impressive. The ceramics, silver, and jewelry sections are beautiful. There's a lovely café inside, perfect for a coffee or lunch break. The museum's gift shop offers a wide variety of options. It's very easy to get to. It's 5 minutes from South Kensington station. If you wish, you can enter the museum through the underground entrance.
Also, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and Imperial College London are right in front, and Harrods is a 10-minute walk away.
Merve Oecal - 3 months ago
This museum is just beautiful. It’s a paradise for anyone who loves art and design.
The building itself is a masterpiece, but the Cast Courts are my favorite part seeing those massive replicas of world-famous monuments like Michelangelo's David is mind-blowing.
It’s a very inspiring place with a very unique vibe. Definitely a must-visit in London.
Angela M. Santander M. - 3 months ago
The museum is absolutely huge. You think you are done at a floor and yet somehow it carries on. The museum has some amazing items and some not so interesting to me personally. I feel like that’s most museums especially large ones such as this one.
The Roman area is interesting but also somewhat what you’re expected or seen before but still nice. It also has China, Japan, Buddhism and Islam. I feel these areas were mixed, some times more interesting than others.
The jewellery and gems area was really cool especially the crowns.
The paintings area was great, most of the paintings were generally good with some I really enjoyed.
One area with black metal gates, I think floor 3 didn’t make a whole lot of sense it me. Looked a bit like a garden centre and wasn’t my favourite area.
The 4th floor has so many ceramics and was really interesting and beautiful
Rob - 4 months ago
🩷We actually ended up in this museum by accident because it was raining, we were close to it and went in. Was a nice museum however my 3 year old was with me so i was not able to appreciate it as fully as i wanted to. We did stop for a bite to eat in the restaurant area which i loved they had some really tasty homeade treats. I also really enjoyed the interactive areas here such as the build your own crystal palace. 🩷
LiveLaughLeach - 2 months ago
We were in there for five hours and we’re still unable see all the rich cultural treasure the place has to offer.
The best cafe area I’ve seen in a long time and a lovely outside space for a break and some sunshine.
Recommend the diverse history from huge ancient Roman pillars to tiny exquisite jewellery, and ancient relics to modern-day fashion and interactive theatre.
Happy to get lost in there for the day.
Daniel Tero - 3 months 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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Photo Gallery
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Entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum cc licensed photo by Ewan-M -
Photo Credit: Eric@focus - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: John Briody Photography - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: John Briody Photography - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ketrin1407 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ketrin1407 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ketrin1407 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ketrin1407 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ketrin1407 - cc license via Flickr
