No time to explore the entire museum? Here’s the essentials: the three V&A Museum Shops are all located at V&A South Kensington; they open from 10 am to 5:30 pm (9:45 pm on Fridays) and offer exclusive V&A design items inspired by the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.👇
- 🗺️ V&A Shop Cromwell Road – main hall, direct access from the Victorian entrance
- 🏛️ Exhibition Road Quarter Shop – 1st floor above the Sainsbury Gallery
- 👗 Fashion Shop – level 0, inside the Fashion Galleries
Precise locations of the V&A souvenir shops 🎯
Visitors save valuable time by first locating the shop best placed along their route through the galleries.
| 🛍️ Shop | 📍 Internal Address | 🚇 Nearest Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Shop | Cromwell Road entrance, ground floor | South Kensington (Circle, District, Piccadilly) |
| Exhibition Road Quarter Shop | 1st floor, above the Sainsbury Gallery | South Kensington – Exhibition Road exit |
| Fashion Shop | Level 0, Fashion Gallery Room 40 | Elevator or stairs Room 38/39 |
- 🔎 V&A temporary exhibition souvenir shops occasionally pop up near “blockbuster” galleries: check the purple signs for pop-ups.
- 🔗 Need other gift ideas? Get inspired by the finds listed for Tokyo or Rome before you leave.
Why three shops? ✨
Each space reflects a facet of the museum: the main entrance for the classics, Exhibition Road for contemporary architecture, and the Fashion Shop to celebrate V&A British designers like Mary Quant or Erdem.
V&A shop opening hours and tips ⏰
The hours follow those of the museum, with attractive late openings on Fridays.
| Day | Opening Hours | Best Time | 😎 Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon – Thu | 10 am – 5:30 pm | 1:30 pm | Visitor flow drops after lunch 🍰 |
| Friday | 10 am – 9:45 pm | 7 pm | Enjoy the jazz late night at the café 🎷 |
| Sat/Sun | 10 am – 5:30 pm | 10 am | Arrive right at opening to avoid the queues 🚀 |
- 📆 During school holidays, queues concentrate between 11 am and 2 pm; schedule your lunch break at this time to shop against the crowd.
- 💳 All points of sale are cashless; bring a card or Apple Pay.
Objects inspired by V&A collections: must-haves for 2025 🎁
The catalog evolves constantly, but some items are iconic.
- 🌸 Liberty of London x V&A scarves – 1890 digitized patterns
- 🕯️ “Cast Court” candle: heated stone + resin scent
- 💍 “Iron Work” brooch reproducing a Victorian grille
- 📚 Illustrated catalogue “Highlights of the V&A” (2025 edition)
- 🎨 “Arts & Crafts” stationery sets drawn from the archives
These V&A limited edition souvenirs come in small batches; activate the email alert at checkout to be notified of restocks.
Temporary exhibitions focus: limited editions 📦
Every blockbuster – from “DIVA” to “Fragile Beauty” – generates its own mini-shop. There you’ll find items inspired by V&A collections as well as unique collaborations:
- 👑 Glitter resin crowns for the “Royal Style” experience
- 🩰 Screen-printed tote bag from the “Fashioning Ballet” show
- 🎧 Millennial Pink vinyl record for “Music Is Design”
Consider comparing them with cinema goodies at the TCL Chinese Theatre or the collector jerseys from Emirates Stadium to gauge exclusivity value.
V&A online shop: order from your sofa 🛒
Outside London? The V&A online shop ships to over 60 countries.
- 📦 Free standard UK delivery from £60
- 🌍 Free click-&-collect for South Kensington pickup
- 💫 “New In” section updated every Thursday
- 🎁 Gift wrapping inspired by Morris & Co. wallpaper ✂️
A great way to complete your collection after exploring the craft markets of Bangkok or the glassworks of Murano.
Frequently asked questions about V&A shops ❓
Are the shops accessible without an exhibition ticket?
Yes; like the museum, access is free and open.
Can I get VAT refund on my purchases?
For a minimum amount of £125, a VAT 407 form is available at checkout.
Do V&A members receive a discount?
A 10% discount is applied immediately, including online.
Are there products for children?
Each shop has a junior section: puzzles, STEAM kits, and plush toys inspired by the building’s gargoyles.
Which languages are featured on the souvenir books?
Primarily English; some best-sellers are translated into French, Spanish, and Mandarin.
