Want to SAVE, EMAIL, and PRINT your picks? Sign up for a Purple Passport account to get started.
3693
Victoria and Albert Museum
Sight
22
Museums & Galleries
ATTRACTION
Decorative ArtsHOURS/TIMES
Sat.-Thurs.: 10:00am-5:45pm; Fri.: 10:00am-10:00pmPRICE
Free; some exhibitions and events carry a separate chargePOPULAR TIMES
WeekendsRESERVE IN ADVANCE
Yes - only for special eventsWAIT TIME WITHOUT RESERVATION
NoneHIGHLIGHTS
Ardabil Carpet; Asia (esp. China, Islamic Art); Fashion, Jewelry, & Accessories (Couture, Gems); Metalwork (esp. Silver through the ages); The Great Bed of WareALLOW
2-4 hoursTUBE
South Kensington
VIBE
The world's largest museum of decorative arts and design is home to over 4.5 million beautiful objects. It is calm, well organized, and full of interested tourists and lovers of decorative arts.
GO HERE WITH
Yourself; a decorative arts or fashion enthusiast
WHY WE LIKE IT
Great organization by arts area (e.g., Fashion, Metalwork), by geography (e.g., Asia), or by time period as most relevant. We love the centuries of couture on display, the gorgeous jewels for viewing, and the Great Bed of Ware, which sleeps 16. The 16th century Ardabil Carpet is so beautiful there is a copy at 10 Downing Street. In short, the V&A holds treasures aplenty.
WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE
Nothing.
GOOD TO KNOW
Free tours run every day. They tell the history of the V&A and introduce a selection of its treasures. Introductory Tours at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm; British Galleries Tour at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. All tours last approximately one hour and start at the Meeting Point in the Grand Entrance unless otherwise instructed.
CLOSEST COMPS
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to London
NEARBY
- Restaurants:
- Shopping:
- Spas:
- Hotels:
- Nightlife:
- Sights/Activities:
All information within this website was checked for accuracy at the time of publication. But since the world moves quickly, things may have changed. Pardon us for any errors as we strive to give you the most up-to-the-minute details!
1/13
Photo Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum
