The V&A: London Museum for Travellers
The Victoria and Albert Museum
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Located in London’s museum corner, The Victoria and Albert Museum (known as the V&A) is a place not to be missed. Although the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are in the same area as the V&A, don’t limit your time exploring the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance. Spend at least an afternoon in this London Museum for essential learning. For a full programme on what’s on, visit www.vam.ac.uk.
Getting to the London Museum
Using the tube, you need to head for South Kensington via the District, Circle or Piccadilly lines. There is a tunnel entrance straight into the museum for you to start your day. Note: This way was shut when I was leaving at about 5pm.
Alternatively, you can enter through Cromwell Road or Exhibition Road. The V&A tunnel entrance is quite cool though as it leads you directly from the tube into the museum.
Do as tourists do, and for a small donation, pick up a map to guide you through the creativity labyrinth.
Where to stay: I always use booking.com for accommodation when I visit a new place. If you want to stay near the Victoria and Albert Museum, find somewhere through booking.com here.
Information about the V&A Museum
- Opening times are:
Daily 10.00-17.45
Friday 10.00-22.00
Did you know? This is the world’s first museum to have a café!
- Admission is free. Yay!
What is the Victoria and Albert Musuem?
Founded in 1852, the London museum was known as South Kensington and later renamed to Victoria and Albert after Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. The museum focuses on the arts such as theatre, design, photography, architecture and much more. It is also home to more than just UK collections. The museum is regularly shortened to the V&A Museum or just the V&A.
Museum For Travellers
If you would like your mind expanded and eyes opened to a wonderful museum in the UK’s capital, then this place is for you. If you are keen to learn about other cultures, this London museum holds many Asian collections that will spark the wanderlust in you.
Read Next: 12 Ways to Explore London
South Asia
Upon entering via the tube entrance, one of the first displays to the right is South Asia. Instantly, you are greeted by grand statues, specifically ‘Tipu’s Tiger’ as below.
The gallery includes items that represent history and culture of the Indian subcontinent south of the Himalayas, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Standing out throughout this display is the silverware, which looks so grand in the glass cabinets, as well as the fine jewellery. Furthermore, paintings and text throughout tell the history of the region including the religions of South Asia and the relationship with Britain.
A unique part of this area was a wonderful storyteller telling the story of Diwali to lots of children sat on the floor. He interacted during his storytelling, using sounds and motions and beautifully explained the story. Through his words, he transports you out of the London museum.
Islamic Middle East
Move on to the next gallery which displays items from North Africa and the Middle East. Intricate drawings and fine mosaic ceramics fill the cabinets and the most noticeable colour is a pastel blue. Make sure you check out the incredible marble basin from 1277 (below). It’s near the humungous rug in the centre of the area that you cannot miss (nor would you want to).
China
Not trying to be the ultimate British stereotype in a London museum, but there were amazing vessels for tea in every gallery. China was no exception. There are various metalwork and textiles of numerous dynasties including Han, Ming, Qing and Tang to ponder at and read about. The things that stand out though, are the sculptures which are so life-like, you think they might jump out at you any second.
Japan
This gallery includes interesting items from Japan. The armour, lacquer and textiles stand out at first until the contrast of the first types of mobiles, computers and radios. There are beautiful kimonos displayed and next to them, is a cabinet full of inrōs. An inrō is used as sort of a bag when wearing kimonos because they don’t have any pockets.
Lastly, the one display that definitely stands out is the Hello Kitty section. What museum is complete without this famous cartoon?
Temporary Display
Censored! Stage, Screen, Society at 50
Theatre and Performance, Room 103-106
This incredible exhibition runs between 10th July 2018 and 27th January 2019 in this London museum only. The display features the facts, art, magazines, scripts as well as informative text surrounding censorship in theatre and media.
It questions whether censorship still exists in the UK today and cleverly crosses out the word censorship on every text throughout. It takes you through a timeline of the Theatre: what was banned and disapproved, context of the UK at the time and of course, the ‘rebels’.
Posters, magazines, scripts, drawings, songs, album covers and quotes are dotted around that give context to the topic of censorship. For instance, some of the items were:
- A copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, banned in 1929.
- Extracts from the underground magazine, OZ.
- Poster of the production Hair.
- Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen album cover.
There is so much more to see in this interesting London museum that you could spend a good three days exploring in depth. If you are on a budget, interested in learning and want to witness arts and designs of the world, this is the perfect day out.
National Art Library
Never have I seen a library more majestic.
To study and view items, you need to join the library. Click here for more information https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/national-art-library.
This library and the museum as a whole, can tell hundreds of stories, while it leaves you speechless.
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I love the V&A! My favourite part is the sculpture gallery near the gift shop – fold-up seats are provided so you can just sit back and sketch without a worry in the world 💕
That sounds so perfect! I’m not a sketcher myself but will definitely pass this good tip onto friends who would love this! Perfect place for it! 🙂
If I ever go to London, I need to check the V&A out!! Pretty cool that this has been opened for over 150 years!! There’s so much history packed in there – it’s a nice learning experience. Big plus that it has history from all over the world.
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Hi Nancy!
I definitely recommend visiting the V&A! It’s such an interesting museum and there is SOO much to see! Yes, it’s not just limited to the UK which is amazing for curious (nosey) travellers like me haha! If you go, let me know what you think! 🙂