YOUNG V&A ULTIMATE GUIDE

Open: Every day: 10:00AM to 5:45PM

Time Needed: 2.5 hours

Price: Free

For kids of all ages, the Young V&A (previously known as the V&A Museum of Childhood) in London is a treasure trove of fun and activities; with interactive play areas, a sandpit, and even a dressing area to try on historic costumes. But for adults, visiting the museum is like taking a stroll down memory lane, thanks to a massive collection of vintage and other historic toys that will bring back memories of their childhood.

Located in the East London neighbourhood of Bethnal Green, the Young V&A is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, best known as the UK’s national museum of applied arts.

Throughout its history the Young V&A has gone through many name changes, refurbishments and openings. Although it was originally opened as the Bethnal Green Museum in 1872, the museum was renamed as the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood in 1974, and again as the Young V&A in 2006 after it was closed for refurbishment.

A man named Arthur Sabin was the first to come up with idea for the museum after seeing bored and noisy children wandering around the V&A Museum. He then was inspired to come up with London’s first child-friendly museum, and eventually Queen Mary (the wife of King George V) started donating her own toys and childhood items to the collection.

Today the museum houses the largest toy collection in the world, and attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops, tours, educational projects and other special events for children and adults throughout the year.

Young V&A Highlights

The museum doesn’t only house games and toys, but also clothing, furniture and other unique household items which date from the 1600s to the present day. The Moving Toys collection displays everything from Xboxes to rocking horses, while the Creativity Gallery consists of musical instruments, chemistry sets, play kitchens, puppets and dolls.

The Childhood section focuses more on babies and children’s clothes (some of which date all the way back to the 1600s), and there’s even areas dedicated to toy soldiers, toy guns and toy hospitals. This gallery is categorized into different stages of childhood, like “Babies,” “Home,” “What We Wear,” “Who Will I Be?” and “Good Times.”

While their children play in a large sandpit, add a lego table, put on their own puppet show or play with an interactive robot, adults can stroll around and learn more about classic games and toys like Lego, Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders.

Don’t miss the massive Dolls’ House Collection (which includes a 17th century dollhouse from Nuremberg, Germany), the antique Punch and Judy Booth, an Egyptian paddle doll which dates back to 1,300 BC, and the 18th-century commedia dell’arte puppet theater (which is believed to have been made in Venice).

Special Tips

If you want to avoid the crowds, then visit the museum on a Sunday afternoon, as the weekdays are usually busy with school trips.

The museum's café is a tad on the pricey side, so if you want to have a bite to eat before or after your visit, you can always bring your own food and drink with you and sit in the downstairs eating area

Be aware that parking in the area can be incredibly difficult, especially on a weekend, so it might be better to use public transport to get to the museum instead.

Getting There

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9PA, United Kingdom.

By Tube: The nearest station is Bethnal Green, which is less than a five minute walk away from the museum (be aware that this underground station doesn't have a lift).

By Train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest stations are Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green, which are less than a ten minute walk from the museum. Liverpool Street station is less than a five minute tube journey from Bethnal Green.

By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can get to the museum via routes D6, 106, 254, 309 and 388 (which stop outside the museum), or 8, 26, 55 and 48 (which also drop you off very close by).

By Ferry: If you are thinking of travelling by ferry, the nearest station is Shoreditch High Street (which is a 25 minute walk away).

By Express: If you are travelling by express, there is a drop-off point on Cambridge Heath Road, which is just outside the museum.

By Car: Parking for cars is limited, so it is advised to use public transport. If you want to travel by car, the nearest accessible parking spaces are at Parmiter Street.

Visiting the Young V&A

Recommended visiting time to the museum is around one hour.

There are toilets located on the lower ground floor, as well as baby-changing facilities and a quiet room if your baby or child needs a nap during their visit.

There are cloakroom areas located on the lower ground floor, however because there are no secure storage facilities, items are left at the owners’ risk. There is a buggy parking area located near the front entrance, and a lift that can access each floor.

The café in the museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday, and is located on the museum’s Marble Floor.

Ticket prices and Opening hours

The Young V&A has free admission, although donations are accepted for the upkeep of the museum. There may be a small charge or fee for some events or temporary exhibitions.

The museum is open every day (except December 24th to 26th) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (with last admission at 5:00 p.m.).

The museum hosts free drop-in activities (which include arts and crafts, trails, storytelling and tours) specifically for children between the ages of three and 12. If you’re interested in joining in on the activities, check the official website before you visit as times and dates vary throughout the year.

Want to visit the Young V&A? Check out the many free tours in London that depart every day and are perfect for families.