Victoria & Albert Museum

Approximate Journey Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Time at destination: Minimum of 5 hours

There will be a comfort stops on route. 

Your journey starts in the morning from the local area. The coach will travel to London via the M3 stopping on route for a 15 minute comfort stop at services and arrive at approximately 11.00. Your drop off point is outside the V&A Museum. You are free to explore the Museum at your leisure and surrounding areas of London. Your driver will arrange your pick up times in advance from the V&A which will be approximately 16.30.

 

Additional Exhibitions-Ticket puchase for these direct with V&A

Cartier - A Legacy of Art

Design And Craftmanship

Design and Disability 1940's to Now

Marie Antoinette Style

A complex Fashion Icon - TBA

The Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, is one of the world's leading museums of art, design, and performance. Founded in 1852, it is renowned for its extensive collections that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. Here’s an overview of what makes the V&A Kensington a must-visit cultural institution:

 

The V&A is housed in a stunning Victorian-era building, designed in the Italianate style. The museum’s architecture itself is a work of art, featuring elaborate facades, grand staircases, and beautifully detailed interiors, the V&A is part of the "Albertopolis" area, named after Prince Albert, which is also home to other major cultural institutions like the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. 

 

The museum’s collections are incredibly diverse, encompassing everything from fashion and textiles to ceramics, sculpture, furniture, and photography. The V&A is particularly known for its collections of decorative arts and design, with pieces from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.

  

Some of the museum’s most famous galleries include the Cast Courts, which house plaster casts of some of the world’s most famous sculptures, and the British Galleries, which showcase British art and design from 1500 to 1900. The Fashion Gallery is another highlight, displaying garments from the Renaissance to contemporary couture.

 

The V&A hosts a rotating series of temporary exhibitions, these exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, from fashion and photography to cultural history and contemporary design. Past exhibitions have included shows dedicated to Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and David Bowie.

 

The V&A is a hub for educational activities, offering workshops, lectures, and courses that cater to different age groups and interests. It also serves as a significant research institution, with extensive archives and a library that are open to the public. 

 

The museum features a beautiful central courtyard garden, which provides a peaceful retreat for visitors. The museum’s café is located in a series of beautifully decorated rooms designed by James Gamble, William Morris, and Edward Poynter, and offers a variety of food and beverages. The setting itself is as much a draw as the menu.

 

The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are just across the road from the V&A. Kensington is also a 15 minute walk from the V&A including many famous shops including Harrods. 

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