The Cafe
The coffee here is truly fantastic—especially when you enjoy it alongside a big scone slathered in clotted cream and jam. Plus, there’s a tempting selection of pastries, gourmet salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, and top-notch cakes. Even if nothing on the menu catches your eye, we highly recommend grabbing a drink just for the experience of sitting in one of the beautifully decorated rooms of the world’s oldest museum restaurant. I’ve never encountered a cafe quite like this one. It’s a work of art in itself, featuring intricately designed rooms, grand columns, elegant arches, sparkling chandeliers, stunning stained glass, and so much more.
Note that the museum offers visitors the chance to have a recreation of Queen Victoria’s afternoon tea in the Morris Room every Friday between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Reservations are mandatory, but it’s worth planning in advance.
The best times to visit
Like all the free and popular museums in London, the V&A museum can get busy. Arrive before it opens its doors at 10:00 AM. Don’t be alarmed by the number of people waiting to get in — the museum is immense and visitors tend to spread out quite evenly, which provides space for everyone. Long weekend and summer holidays are the busiest times of the year, so visiting on a weekday off season is always recommended if you’re able to do so.
The museum has two entrances, the grand, traditional entrance on Cromwell Road and the more contemporary one on Exhibition Road. Both are similarly busy, but remember to check both of them. The grand entrance leads visitors just below the dome from where one of Dale Chihuly’s magnificent sculptures hangs; the Cromwell entrance is through remodeled arches and via a modern porcelain-tiled public courtyard.
The V&A museum closes at 5:45 PM daily, except on Fridays when selected galleries remain open until 10:00 PM.
Free tours
Upon entering the museum, and before heading quickly to the jewelry gallery to have it all to yourself (see below), check out the schedule for the free tours. The daily free tours and their starting times are listed on screens at each entrance, but all of them start under the dome (Cromwell Road entrance), on the left, beyond the front desk and before entering the gift shop. There’s a seating area where visitors who want to go on the tours are expected to wait.
There’s a free tour almost every half hour throughout the day and they’re all led by volunteer experts who know the museum and its collection inside out. All of them are fascinating and will give you great background details on the museum and its galleries. The tours vary in topics, so you can select whatever you’re most interested in, such as general introductory tours of the museum, the performance and theatre collections, the Middle Ages, and more. You can take as many tours as you’d like.
Where to start your visit
We highly suggest starting your visit in one of the museum’s most popular areas before it becomes too crowded. The jewelry exhibit features three rooms packed with 3,500 stunning jewels that showcase 3,000 years of history. You’ll be captivated by the craftsmanship and stories behind each piece in this dimly lit gallery, designed in dark hues to let the treasures truly shine. From collars and pendants to crowns and brooches, each item is more intricate than the last. The highlight, however, is the Townshend Gems collection, a breathtaking spiral display of rings. Although the jewelry gallery is compact, it is incredibly well-loved, so be sure to head there early to be among the first to see Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet and Beyoncé’s magnificent butterfly ring.
Where to find it: Level 2, Rooms 91 to 93
Five must-see pieces and collections at the Victorian and Albert and why they matter
There are more than 60,000 objects on display at the V&A, so seeing them all and appreciating their significance in the space of one day is impossible. Here, we have selected five pieces that we believe are must-sees.
1. Tipu’s Tiger
Tipu’s Tiger is an interesting piece. Crafted for Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, India, in the late 18th century. Tipi’s Tiger is depicting a tiger ferociously attacking a man believed to be a European soldier. Inside the tiger, there is an organ that plays music, and when the handle is turned, the man emits groans and flails his arms as if experiencing a painful demise. The article sheds light on the contentious relationship between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company soldiers, whom he vehemently opposed before their victory in 1799. That same year, the automaton was taken from his palace and sent to London.
Where to find it: Level 0, Room 41, South Asia gallery
2. Trajan’s Column
Trajan’s Column is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable exhibits at the V&A. It’s so large that it had to be divided into two massive sections, each measuring 82 feet, to fit into the space. While it resembles the original, this is actually a 19th-century plaster replica. The original column was built to celebrate the Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory over the Dacians and was erected in 113 CE in Rome, where it still stands proudly after more than 1,900 years. This column showcases incredible craftsmanship, featuring over 155 war scenes intricately carved in a spiral pattern. Although it can be challenging to see all the details, the artistry is really worth taking the time to admire.
Where to find it: Level 0, Room 46A, Cast Courts gallery
3. The Ardabil Carpet
This is thought to be the oldest dated carpet was created between 1539-1540 CE in Iran. It is said that it was crafted to decorate the Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili.
You can see the effort required to display the carpet so that visitors can easily observe it. It is displayed in a rectangular case. To preserve the carpet is it lit 10 minuets every hour. I would suggest arriving a little early so that you can get a good viewing spot. It truly is a magnificent carpet and when its lit you can see the design so clearly.
Where to find it: Level 0, Room 42, Islamic Middle East gallery
4. “Strawberry Thief” by William Morris
William Morris is a prominent figure in the 19th Century in English and design. He is frequently featured at the Victoria and Albert Museum. He championed the creation of handmade decorative items during the Industrial Revolution. Which at that time was mass production of inferior goods. His emphasis was on natural motifs—such as flowers, leaves, and trees—stands in sharp contrast to the era’s mechanical innovations.
The V&A has many of his works, including the Strawberry Thief which features showcases thrushes among strawberry plants in a vibrant and intricate textile pattern. William Morris designs remains in great demand, particularly in home decor and wall paper. These are often very expensive.
Where to find them: Level 3, Room 125, Britain (1760-1900) gallery
5. The fashion collection
Fashion is an important part of art and design, therefore is an important part of the Victoria and Albert museum. Regardless of whether you like fashion or not, the whole display is stunning. I recommend visiting this section of the museum. The collection spanning five centuries, there are are shoes, bags, dresses of all shapes and sizes. Highlights include Alexander McQeens’s stunning Plato Atlantis silk dress. The other favourites include manta dresses. Think large cumbersome dresses worn in the 18th century.
This is one of the busiest rooms in the museum which is a testament to how amazing the collection is. Make sure to visit he collection when you visit.
Where to find it: Level 1, Room 40
There really is a lot to see in the Victorian and Albert Museum and I am sure that you will find something you absolutely love. I personally love the fashion section. On the way out make time to browse the gift shop. Out of all the museums i have been to this is hands down the best gift shop.