Visiting The Victoria & Albert museum, London (v&a)

One of the things I most love about London are all the free to enter museums on offer. For culture lovers, there really is a museum for just about anyone, young and old alike. One of my favourites, and will undoubtedly be a favourite for any lover of decorative arts, textiles and interiors, is the Victoria & Albert museum in London.

© 2023 Karis Tavernier-Nicholas

History of the V&A museum

Following the success of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Victoria and Albert museum was created using the profits made from the event. Known as the South Kensington museum for its first 40 years, it was renamed the ‘Victoria and Albert museum’ (more commonly known as the V&A) in honour of Prince Albert, the man who played a significant role in its inception. Owing to the exhibition’s success, Prince Albert wanted a permanent place where the arts and sciences could continue to educate people, with the V&A becoming a part of that.

The Victoria & Albert museum today

Really, there are a collection of museums under the V&A umbrella in various locations, but the one I’m talking about today is the V&A in London. Today, visiting each room of the museum is like walking through time, through the museum’s history and evolution just by its architecture alone.

Located in the lovely suburb of South Kensington, there are several entrances to the museum, but one of my favourites is via Exhibition Road. With the Natural History Museum and Science Museum also on the same street, the road is unique in its layout and is a street of culture. Note: if you do approach the museum this way, be sure to watch out for cars and buses, as despite the appearance of it being a pedestrianised street, it really isn’t.

What to see at the Victoria & Albert Museum?

Once inside, there’s so much to see at the V&A. I’ve been to the museum soooo many times and I haven’t managed to see everything! With such a diverse range of art to see, you’ll have to set aside at least a few hours.

© 2023 Cher Tavernier-Nicholas

If, like me, you enjoy antique interiors, there’s a wealth of rooms to explore. A particular favourite of mine is the Sérilly cabinet, an 18th century interior from France, designed by brothers Jean-Simeon Rousseau de la Rottière and Jules-Hugues Rousseau. The same brothers designed Marie-Antoinette’s rooms in the Palace of Versailles.

© 2023 Cher Tavernier-Nicholas

Or perhaps sculpture is more your thing? In that case, you’ll want to head to the Cast Courts near the centre of the museum where you can find a reproduction of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ among many others. Also be sure to see Antonio Canova’s ‘The Three Graces’ ; judging by the number of people who paused to take a picture, it’s a favourite of visitors.

For me, the V&A itself is a sight to behold and worth exploring on its own. In the heart of the museum, taking a moment to pause and admire the architecture of the building is something I can’t help but do every time I visit! It’s also a hotspot for selfie takers; I’ve seen some dressed in evening gowns with professional photographers to capture them in the surroundings.

Perhaps where I spend most of my time in the museum is in the ironwork section. On display are iron works through several years; it’s fascinating to notice all the intricate details, especially on some of the keys.

Also on offer to the viewer are paintings spanning centuries, jewellery collections, beautiful stained glass windows and so many more things I probably haven’t mentioned. Taking a wander through the museum is like stepping back in time – several eras and cultures, in fact.

How to get to the V&A Museum

There are many ways to get to the V&A museum. You can take a bus to Exhibition Road and enter the museum from there. Or you can take the tube to South Kensington Station and walk about 5 minutes to Cromwell Road, accessing the V&A via the main entrance. After a short security check, you’re free to roam the museum for as long as you like (subject to closing hours, of course!).