I went walkabout in London yesterday, something that I do as often as possible since I live here and have more than just 3 Days in London. I am often delighted by the hidden gems that are found off the beaten track. Yesterday I decided to visit the big name museums in South Kensington since I have not been for a while. First stop was the Natural History Museum.
Natural History Museum, South Kensington
To my dismay I noted that there was a massive queue and since I am not partial to standing for hours in a queue I decided to continue instead to the V&A.
Victoria and Albert Museum, aka V&A, South Kensington
It is probably about 5 years since I last visited the V&A, yeah I know… shame on me! It’s right on my doorstep…..ok well not quite, but almost 
So anyhow, it was with a huge sigh of relief and not a little bit of delight that I noted….no queue. Now that’s more like it! Well…..all I can say is that this was heaven re-visited. My memory of the last visit was that it was overcrowded and quite dark. I am not sure, but it looks like they may have had an overhaul. It is fabulous and although it seems to play 2nd fiddle to the British Museum……it certainly should be top of the London attractions.
Stepping into the foyer I was reminded of the exhuberant glass exhibit hanging from the ceiling. a great prelude to what was to come.
Victoria and Albert Museum foyer - Chihuly glass chandelier
I enjoyed a very happy 4 hours meandering about, visiting displays that left me gasping with delight and awe. They have a huge number of fascinating exhibits and hall filled with wonderous delights of stained glass,
stained glass exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum
priceless silver treasures,
silver exhibits at the V&A Museum
awesome pieces of art that were created hundreds and in some instances thousands of years ago. The Japanese
Japanese Pagoda - V&A Museum
and Chinese exhibits are wonderous. I walked till my feet ached and still did not get my fill. In one of the halls is a more current exhibit named ‘ 1:1 – Artchitects Build Small Spaces’ - fascinating pieces which are interactive and you are allowed to explore (you have to remove your shoes first ).
small spaces - detail of exhibit
small spaces exhibit at the V&A
small spaces exhibit at the V&A
Sadly the Small Spaces exhibition ends on 29th August, so if you have not yet been….I can highly recommend that you go. The other exhibits will still be there and the V&A is free to visit, however they do depend on donations to continue purchasing items of delight and ancient history as well as for the upkeep. Give generously….we are blessed to have such a magnificent treasure. The building itself is worth the visit with a fabulous facade and the enormous crown that tops the main entrance, looking quite over the top and yet incredibly beautiful.
the crown on the top; V&A Museum in South Kensington
the crown on the roof of the Victoria and Albert Museum viewed from the silver exhibit hall
The Victoria and Albert Museum is situated in South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. There is a lovely restaurant acrosss the equally lovely courtyard where you can enjoy a meal in fabulous surroundings.
fabulous surroundings at the V&A restaurant
Nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines and is a short walk away. The museum can be accessed via an underground tunnel, that is wide enough for loads of people to move easily and brightly lit. The entrances to the various museums are well sign-posted. Enjoy! And if you do visit be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you enjoyed most.
