V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum

I went last week for the Cars exhibition in Victoria and Albert museum and is was the most disappointed exhibition of cars I saw in my life. Starting for £18 tickets In the exhibition you can see around 10-15 cars and I understand the idea about they want to show the evolution of the cars in the history but few pictures and draws don't explain too much. I finish in 15-20 minutes to see everything and honestly I was looking forward to assist to this exposition but unfortunately I can't recommend. Apart from this I think Victoria and Albert is a beautiful and nice museum.

The queue to enter the V&A was well managed but once inside the Kimono exhibition there was a complete lack of social distancing and the staff on duty didn't do anything to manage the situation. Apart from small direction signs on the floor it doesn't appear that the layout of the exhibition has been modified at all, which leads people bunching up especially at corners. There were many times people crouded around me and seemed completed oblivious of the need to maintain social distancing or an ability to follow the direction signs. Unless the V&A improve their management of visitors to this wonderfull exhibition I'd recommend wearing full PPE.

I’d heard about the V & A for years but always was sidetracked during my other trips to London. This time I made a special effort and was swept off my feet at the scope and character of its exhibits and facilities. Walking down one hall I was suddenly thunderstruck by the view of Trajan’s Column - a full size replica. It is amazing - truly amazing - to see that & a full size replica of Michelangelo’s David; with Bernini’s & Donatello’s renditions, all clustered together. Other works of classical art are there as well. Art history majors rejoice, lol!

The dining hall itself is a work of art and the food was fresh and reasonably priced. Everything worked together for a wonderful experience, one that you will not regret taking the time to include in a visit to London, my very favorite city.

Plan to spend hours in this wonderfully massive museum! Admission is free which makes it popular among tourists and locals alike. They have a great array of art, sculptures, furniture, linens and many more from every country and continent; from different ages. There is a coat check area for bags if you don’t feel like lugging bags while walking around. You are allowed to take pictures inside. There are a lot of stairs but there are also elevators for ease of accessibility.

Firstly we have to recognise that it's COVID time so some things are different to usual but I cannot understand why so much of the V and A was closed off. Two whole floors not open. All the leaflets about the exhibits had been removed, there were no maps and it was a real struggle to find anything. In addition because of the work being done to remodel you'd arrive at a staircase to find it was closed off meaning you have to retrace steps around this maze of a building to find another staircase and also meaning that on more than one occasion you end up starting a collection at the wrong end. Children had paper maps, why can't the adults? Why can't the volunteers hand out paper information sheets about collections? Yes I am a aware there is an app but it was pretty poor and unhelpful as it needed to be enlarged to see anything. As expected the cafe was gold plated prices - 2 coffees a bottle of water and a scone was £21. Outside the cost of some people's weekly food shop. Finally when we booked on line we hold have been informed that there were no locker or cloakroom facilities (other places are still offering this) and that floors are closed. It's the V and A so of course it was good but C+ and not A* this time.

Whilst the content of the exhibition is outstanding and beautifully curated. There are a few downfalls with attending this or indeed any exhibition at the V & A these days. Firstly the overcrowding, it’s great that the museum is so popular but despite buying timed tickets, it is far too crowded. This is made much, much worse by the people wearing rucksacks. Then there are the people who conduct loud conversations on their mobiles. Far worse, those who come in and wander round having a full blown conversation detailing the minutiae of their lives. So please V & A look into this. Make visitors leave their rucksacks in the cloakroom. Tell people to lower their voices. Regulate the number of visitors allowed in.
Now for the cafe. This is one of the most beautiful places to sit and eat in London. However, there are simply not enough tills. The queues to pay are ridiculous and if you have bought hot food I assure you it will be cold by the time you have managed to pay for it and find a table.

It was wonderful to return to the V&A after the lockdown closure. Booking in advance was easy and the museum was very peaceful with the restricted numbers rule. I was lucky to be there on a warm and sunny day so could have lunch in the sunshine in the garden. I wandered around visiting all my favourite things. Next time I will go to the jewellery gallery first as there was a queue each time I went there as restricted access due to the lack of space, but there is so much else to see that I didn't mind. And I bought a beautiful face mask from the shop! Will return soon!

I had meant to visit the VA on numerous occasions but had never seemed to have enough time . On our recent trip we made visiting a priority and we had an excellent time , although as the title says I could have stayed for much longer had prior arrangements not curtailed our free time . In the time we had available we managed to see most of the exhibition halls and there are many varied and wonderful treasures to see . The museum gets a big tick from me as it is free entrance which I think all museums should be . why should it only be people with money who get to enjoy all the fantastic objects on display in saying that there was also stand alone exhibitions such as one about Mary quant which has an entrance charge for those who may have a specific interest .however the rest is free . There are a number of floors and they all deserve to be investigated . A particular highlight for me was the snuff boxes and miniature portrait paintings but I’m sure there is something that will capture every visitors eye .. well worth a visit , I will return and spend the whole day there

It’s a real shame that what appear to be the most interesting exhibitions in here are so expensive (about £20 each) which adds up for multiple people. The building is impressive but my biggest issue is that it isn’t easy to navigate this museum. I’ve been to many museums all over the world and found this one to be one of the most difficult to get around.

My daughters bought me tickets for my birthday, £18 each,not insignificant for them.I was super excited by it as a car fan all my life.
I can in all honesty say it is the worst car related event I have ever been to.There is no continuity, not a British or French car to be seen,no imagination.A film of the car chase from Bullit with the wrong Ford Mustang under it, video walls of traffic in London,I mean really is that original thinking.
The exhibition is tiny,clearly not suited to such a small space.It took less than 30 mins to see.
There is hugely more to see at any of the car museums in this country for the same or less money.I believe this was put together by people who don't actually know anything about cars.
It's a travesty that a great venue like the V and A can allow us to spend our money on this.