Tour of the Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is the world’s largest museum of design and decorative arts. It is located in the fashionable district of South Kensington, close to other museums, Kensington Gardens and Hyde park. Knightsbridge and Harrods are a short walk away. The nearest underground station is South Kensington on the District and Circle line. Founded one hundred and fifty years ago by Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, this museum now houses over 4 million objects from around the world. Photographs, textiles, theatre, architecture, jewellery, tapestries, sculpture, fashion, Islamic art, ceramics, Indian galleries, miniatures, costumes, Japanese art, Asian art and glass are just some of the fabulous exhibits on display. Visitors will encounter the vast Medieval and Renaissance galleries, new Islamic galleries showing the largest carpet created in Ardabil in the 16th century –– displayed for just a few minutes each half hour to preserve its colours –– newly refurbished galleries of Byzantine art, as well as a wealth of ceramics, lacquer work and swords in the Japanese galleries. You'll also encounter the plaster cast of Michelangelo’s David in the famous cast gallery. In the Fashion galleries tracing the 18th century to the present day, displays show the art and talent of designers such as Worth and Chanel. Another highlight is the British Galleries, including the Great Bed of Ware that once housed 26 people, an English King's wedding wear, reputedly the forerunner of the three-piece suit, and costumes worn by Richard Burton, Vivien Leigh and even Mick Jagger.