Victoria and Albert Museum
About Victoria and Albert Museum
The world's leading museum of art, design and performance, with 5,000 years of fashion, furniture, ceramics, jewellery and sculpture in a magnificent Victorian building.
History
The V&A was founded in 1852 following the success of the Great Exhibition of 1851, with the aim of making art and design accessible to all and inspiring British manufacturers. It was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1899.
Its galleries now hold more than two million objects. The museum's original Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms were among the first museum restaurants in the world and are still in use as part of the V&A café today.
What to Expect
Expect to wander. The building is a maze of beautiful rooms, from the plaster casts of the Cast Courts to the glittering jewellery gallery and the fashion collection. Stop for tea in the historic café rooms or sit by the pool in the John Madejski Garden on a sunny day. Friday evening Lates bring talks, music and a younger crowd.
Known For
Highlights
- Free entry
- Historic tiled cafés
- Courtyard garden
- Friday Lates
- Blockbuster fashion shows
- Design shop
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the V&A free to visit?
- Yes, entry to the V&A's permanent collection is free. Some temporary exhibitions require a paid ticket.
- Is the V&A open late?
- The V&A usually stays open until 22:00 on Fridays, with selected galleries open and regular Friday Late events.
- Is the V&A near the Natural History Museum?
- Yes, the V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum all sit along Exhibition Road in South Kensington, a few minutes' walk apart.
More London Museums & Galleries
British Museum
The world's first national public museum, holding around eight million objects spanning two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures.
Natural History Museum
A cathedral to the natural world in a stunning Victorian building, famous for Hope the blue whale skeleton, its dinosaur gallery and around 80 million specimens.
Tate Modern
Britain's national gallery of international modern and contemporary art, housed in a former power station on the South Bank with free collection displays and its vast Turbine Hall.