Today, its collection spans out on a timeline of over five thousand years. The art collection is still expanding with more pieces coming in from every continent and extreme of the world. Today the V&A currently holds around 4.6 Million items including massive collections on of Ceramics, Glass, Textiles, Costumes, Silver, Ironwork, Jewellery, Furniture, Medieval Objects, Sculptures, Prints and Printmaking, Drawings and Photographs.

The Renaissance began a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned around 300 years. The Victoria & Albert Museum prides itself in the fact that it holds the world’s biggest single collection of Italian Renaissance art outside of Italy itself. Some of this is Sculptures, Paintings, Glass and Pottery.

The V&A has been showing architecture from its beginning and the compilation varies from drawings and photographs to whole rooms. The architectural collection within the Archive of Art and Design exhibits a diverse range of designs, effects and inspirations from each of the contributing architects. Alfred Edward Richardson, the President of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1954 and an architect to boot has interests rooted in the 18th century, which are symbolised in his work.

The V&A holds over 19,000 items from the Islamic World, including many examples of pottery, Persian rugs and Qur’ans with exquisite inscriptions. There is the largest and most comprehensive collection of Ceramics in the world, with pieces from every continent and examples from every British manufacturer. The fashion section holds 14,000 outfits plus accessories, most items coming from the last four centuries, with the latest couture still being added. In 2001, the museum started a £150 Million renovation program, which led to the introduction of new galleries, visitor facilities and shops. One feature added was the British Galleries; these consist of 4,000 items, which highlight the works of James II, The Great Bed of Ware and the expansion of the British Empire. This exhibition also contains five complete rooms dating back to 1606, showing examples of historic décor and materials. There are many portraits and sculptures of past Kings and Queens, and artwork imported into Britain from foreign lands.

The education department has a wide range of responsibilities and duties. There is the obvious information it gives on each exhibition but it also holds classes for different levels of schoolchildren, from primary school children to university undergraduates. The museum has recently set up lecture rooms for students to study with practical lessons when needed.

The central garden has also been recently renovated, opening as the John Madejski Garden in 2005. The design is a subtle blend of the traditional and modern, a new oval shaped water feature has been erected with the facility to be drained if the space is needed for outdoor events. The gardens are used for events in the summer when needed and a cafe is set up for hot weather.

The Victoria and Albert is a hugely popular attraction, in 2006 there 2,400,000 visitors making it one of Britain’s top tourist attractions. This was recognized when the V&A won the 2007 'Visitor Attraction of the Year' beating stiff competition from; Horniman Museum, South Bank Centre, BA London Eye and The London Dungeon. A combination of unique art, outstanding building presentation and world class facilities mean this is one museum your children will enjoy as much as you.