UK Travel Guide

Museums

Victoria & Albert Museum

The ‘V & A’ as it is more popularly or commonly known is at Cromwell Road and is named after Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert. It opened the year after the Great Exhibition was held in 1851 when many of the exhibits were displayed in the Museum of Manufacturers. Then in 1857 the collection was transferred from Marlborough House to South Kensington. It became known as the Victoria and South Kensington Museum and in 1899 it acquired its existing name. The Museum which specializes in the decorative arts has 145 galleries with over 4 million pieces on display. These contain many fine and wonderful items of jewelry, furniture, sculpture, metalware, fabric and dress style throughout the ages from Europe Asia and Far East. The Museum also houses the National collection of furniture which includes the Great Bed of Ware dating from the 16th century and capable of sleeping 6, the National collection of Sculpture which has the greatest collection of Renaissance sculpture outside Italy. It also contains the National collections of photography, watercolours and ceramics as well as the National Art Library. Undoubtedly this is one of Britain’s most popular museums. There is free entry after 4.30pm.

Located at: Cromwell Road, London,

Telephone: 020 7942 2000

Opens: Monday to Sunday 10.00am to 17.45pm, Wednesday Late View 18.30-21.30

Cost: Adults £5, conc £3, under 18s, students etc Free

Closest Subway Station: South Kensington Station (Click to see more atrraction at this station)