London Victoria And Albert Museum

When the V&A was founded in 1852 as the Museum of Manufactures, the curators were deluged with objects from around the globe. Today, as the largest museum of decorative (and not so decorative) arts in the world, the V&A rivals the British Museum for the sheer size and diversity of its holdings—befitting an institution dedicated to displaying “the fine and applied arts of all countries, all styles, all periods.” With consistently excellent content, the V&A’s five million sq. m of galleries house the “world’s greatest collection” of miniature portraits, including Holbein’s Anne of Cleves, newly refurbished glass and architecture galleries, and an exhaustive showcase of fashion from the 16th century onward. Interactive displays, high-tech touchpoints, and engaging activities add to the treasures. Staff shortages can lead to the temporary closure of less popular galleries without notice; it’s best to call in advance on the day of your visit if you want to see a specific gallery. Themed itineraries available at the desk can help streamline your visit, and Family Trail cards suggest routes through the museum with kids.

BRITISH GALLERIES. The beneficiary of a recent £31 million renovation, the vast British Galleries sprawl over three floors of reconstructed rooms, documenting the progression of British taste and fashion from 1500 to 1900. From clothing to furniture to innumerable fascinating gadgets, exhibits all begin by asking, “Who led taste?” (The answer, of course, is always the British.)

FASHION GALLERY. Nothing but the finest resides in this gallery, which showcases the V&A’s world-famous costume collection, covering everything from 18th-century court mantuas to modern minimalist garments. In the outer circle of displays, the exquisite clothes are arranged by themes: Dressing Up, Undress, The Suit for Men, The Suit for Women, The Dress, and Sportswear. Inner displays feature the “fashion cities”—London, Milan, New York, Paris, and Tokyo—as well as famous designers that are based there. Temporary exhibits change once or twice a year; themes have included Vivienne Westwood, New Sixties Fashion, Jean Charles de Casteljabac, and most recently, Future Fashion Now.

ASIAN GALLERIES. The selection of objects in the V&A’s Asian collections may rest on national clichés (Indian temple carvings, Chinese porcelain), but the objects themselves are still spectacular. The highlight here is Tippoo’s Tiger, a fascinatingly graphic 1799 model of a tiger eating a man—complete with organ sounds and crunching noises. The excellent Japanese Gallery displays an array of contemporary ceramic sculpture and kimonos.

UPPER FLOORS. Arranged by material, the upper floors are home to galleries devoted to everything from musical instruments to stained glass. In the textile collection, you can try on kimonos and tweed jackets, while long cabinets contain swatches of thousands of different fabrics. Two exceptions to the materially themed galleries are the Leighton Gallery, with a fresco by the essential Victorian painter, and the sprawling and somewhat trippy 20th-century collections, where you’ll find design classics like Salvador Dalí’s 1936 sofa modeled on Mae West’s lips, a spiral bookshelf, and a pair of 1990s latex hotpants.

HENRY COLE WING. The six-level Henry Cole wing is home to the V&A’s collection of British paintings, including some 350 works by Constable as well as numerous Turners. Also here is a display of Rodin bronzes, donated by the artist in 1914. In the library-like print room, anyone can ask to see original works from the prodigious collection. (Print room open Tu-Sa 10am-5pm.)