What is the Victoria and Albert Museum?
The Victoria and Albert Museum, known as the V&A, is the world's largest museum of art, design and performance, located in South Kensington, London. It holds more than two million objects spanning 5,000 years.
The museum was founded in 1852, following the Great Exhibition, with the aim of inspiring British designers and manufacturers. It was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1899.
Its collections include fashion, furniture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, sculpture, textiles, photography and theater.
Highlights
Famous objects include the Great Bed of Ware, the Raphael Cartoons, Tipu's Tiger, a mechanical tiger made in India, and an extensive fashion collection.
The V&A's courtyard, the John Madejski Garden, is a peaceful spot in summer. The museum also has stunning cafe rooms decorated in the Victorian style.
Entry is free. The V&A has branches in Dundee, Scotland, and in east London, including V&A East. Its temporary exhibitions on fashion and design are very popular.
Its main building on Cromwell Road features a grand entrance with a huge blown-glass chandelier by artist Dale Chihuly. The museum also runs late-night events, talks and family activities throughout the year.