V&A South Kensington aka: The Victoria & Albert Museum

Don’t forget to look up when you pass through the main entrance – you’ll see the beautiful Dale Chihuly chandelier with its blue and yellow glass tendrils.

The first time I went to the V&A Museum, just 11 days ago, it was an unexpected delight. I really didn’t think I was going to like it and only called in so that I could say ‘Been there, done that!’ but I genuinely loved it!

We went in at the Tunnel Entrance and went into the first exhibit room we came to, located on the right hand side, and some of the exhibits in there were stunning. I immediately spotted this tiny little piano type instrument and oh my word it was beautiful. And that was just the first of my highlights that day. I also fell in love with an Indian shawl patterned with a map of a town, on loan to the museum from the Queen. I know it doesn’t sound that special from that brief description but there is such variety that there is definitely something for everyone.

I had taken a packed lunch and you can’t eat your own food at the tables in the cafe/restaurant area (although I think there is a lunch room in the basement level) but fortunately it was a dry day so my friend and I went and sat on the step around the water feature in the garden, which was lovely.

We went on a Friday & were delighted to see that the museum stays open until 10pm on a Friday…we still didn’t have time to do everything! Their restaurant does look really good and that too is open late on Fridays but we got there at the wrong time and thought they had stopped serving so we just got a yummy muffin & coffee. Once we finished our coffee and walked back through the restaurant it was apparent that we had simply arrived at just the wrong time as there were some scrumptious looking meals all lined up and freshly made! Anyway, the best bit about our visit to the restaurant was the fact that they had live music…it was fantastic and perfect for unwinding on a Friday evening! It wasn’t very busy, a few people had taken their books to read, and we felt like we could have stayed there all evening! We didn’t however as the museum shop was calling to me! The main shop is great, a variety of different gifts & bits that appeal to all budgets. There are some really innovative & imaginative things so its a good place to go to stock up on pressies! I’m hoping to go again…next weekend!

Too much random stuff

There’s so much more to see..
Facinating miniature portraits, Vegetarian approved Doc Maartins, Beatrix Potter exhibit…..

I love the V&A since it’s all about culture, nothing too heavy for the ones that are easily bored with history. There’s plenty of items from various world cultures from architecture (tiles), hand crafts (ceramic, jewelry), fashion (clothes from different cultures & periods) to weapons (samurai swords) for the dudes! It’s definitely worth checking out.

I lived in walking distance of the V&A when I lived in London and I went there all the time. Great exhibits. I loved visiting the dress section. I’m still a member even though I only get to go on the rare occasion that I’m in London…

Namely the Lord of the Rings touring film exhibit, which of course made a geek like me very happy. If only I could have walked off with the One Ring… The rest of the museum, what I was able to catch of it, seemed worth a more detailed investigation in the future.

i love it, i love it. especially the glass section even before the chihuly days. can go there again and again… remember to have a meal before visiting because you won’t want to leave the museum till it shuts!

Fantastic museum. I loved, loved, loved it. Love their special feature exhibits. This is a museum I could vist and revisit over and over again.

i could spend days here, looking at all the well-made things, the old iron locks and keys and grates, the 20th century stuff (especially the typewriters), the textiles, the prints. i didn’t see the european furniture, so clearly, i need to go back.