The Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Address: Cromwell Road, London
Opening hours: Daily: 10:00 - 17:45
No admission fee

The Victoria & Albert Museum was initially intended to edify and delight British producers and designers. Its foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria in 1852. Today, fondly referred to by the Britons as the V&A, it is the world's biggest and most important museum of decorative arts. On display in its 146 galleries are the dazzling collections from the four corners of the earth, numbering around four million items and including paintings, furniture, textiles, silver, jewellery, ceramics, glass, metalwork, photographs... Above all, the museum prides itself with its assemblage of Italian Renaissance sculptures, which is considered to be the greatest single collection of this type outside of Italy. The attention of many a visitor is captured by the Dress Collection that has examples from historical dress through the 21st century haute couture. November 2001 saw the much-applauded opening of the British Galleries. With highlights such as the wedding suit of James II and the Great Bed of Ward as mentioned in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", the exhibition follows the story of British design from Chippendale to Morris, and Adam to Mackintosh.. The Victoria & Albert Museum also houses the National Art Library. All in all, a true visual treat not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.