Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum, Design and art museum in South Kensington, London, England
Description
The Victoria and Albert Museum is a large institution dedicated to applied arts and design in South Kensington, central London. Its collection spreads across more than a hundred rooms displaying furniture, jewelry, glass, textiles, ceramics, and fashion from many centuries.
History
The building opened in 1852 as the South Kensington Museum, months after the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. Its current name was adopted in 1899 to honor the late queen and her consort, both of whom had supported the project.
Culture
Visitors come to see objects from daily life elevated into art, from teapots to entire room interiors transported and rebuilt inside the galleries. Students and designers often sit sketching in the halls, using the collection as a living reference for their own work.
Practical
The entrance sits on Cromwell Road, a short walk from South Kensington Underground station. Most permanent galleries are free to enter, and the building stays open until late afternoon every day, with extended hours on Friday evenings.
Did you know?
The building contains three notebooks by Leonardo da Vinci kept in its library, filled with sketches and thoughts from the 16th century. It also houses complete historic shop interiors brought from other parts of England and reassembled inside the galleries.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea).
Brompton Oratory
138 m
Holy Trinity Brompton
154 m
Neptune and Triton
21 m
London Oratory
119 m
Ismaili Centre, London
182 m
Cast Courts
30 m
National Art Library
68 m
Gilbert Collection
28 m
Twelve Responses to Tragedy
144 m
Bust of Thomas Baker
69 mVictoria and Albert Museum Spiral
118 m
Statue of John Henry Newman
106 m
Sackler Courtyard
135 m
Yalta Memorial Garden
134 m
Media Space
195 m
Cole Wing, Victoria and Albert Museum
140 m
Cabmen's Shelter
101 m
12-16, Thurloe Place Sw7
122 m
69-72, Princes Gate Sw7
171 m
Empire House
158 m
20-33, Thurloe Square Sw7
172 m
K2 Telephone Kiosk Outside The Victoria And Albert Museum
145 m
K2 Telephone Kiosk
147 m
The Oratory
143 m
Two K6 Telephone Boxes In Front Of The Victoria And Albert Museum
105 mTemporary Exhibit
214 mSt John Henry Newman
103 mStatue, Work of art
144 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes