The enormous success of the Great Exhibition in 1851 inspired the establishment of the Victoria and Albert Museum a year later. Its main aims were to make art accessible to all, to inspire British designers and manufacturers, and to educate the working people. Initially called the Museum of Manufacturers, in 1857 it was moved to its present site and in 1899 renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum (popularly known as the V&A). Since the Queen laid the foundation stone of the new building, the V&A has grown in scope and diversity to become the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design.
The V&A has 145 galleries housed in an impressive group of Victorian buildings, spread over 12.5 acres. With over 4.5 million objects in its permanent collection spanning over 5,000 years, the V&A has something for every visitor.
With free entry (only some exhibits are charged for) everyone can enjoy the treasure trove of the V&A.
It has an unrivalled collection – from ceramics, textiles and fashion to furniture, architecture, painting, sculpture and jewellery. Then there’s photography, metalwork, glass, theatre and performance and Asian art and design. There is no shortage of objects to admire!
A new exhibition opens every time an old one closes. Past exhibitions include Display-Curtain Up: Celebrating 40 years of Theatre in London and Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear.
Some pieces should not be missed. Grinling Gibbons’ limewood cravat (1690), Tippoo’s Tiger (1793), Unicorn Tapestry (around 1500), The Three Graces by Antonio Canova (early 19th century), Trees at Hampstead by John Constable, and the seven Raphael Cartoons (1515) are just some of these.
Exhibitions
An award-winning V&A program allows children to borrow a backpack full
of hands-on activities. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years; no need to book.
Children can choose from various themes such as ‘Amazing Spaces’, ‘Adventure in China’, ‘Emperor’s Party’, and ‘Time Traveller. For younger kids there is ‘Agent Animal’.
Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL Tel: 0207 942 2000
Website: www.vam.ac.uk Nearest tube station: South Kensington
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