Museums

Talisa Dean 02/05/24


The Design Museum

London museums.

They won’t all be your type.

But if you’re into design – or just enjoy looking at beautiful things – London’s Design Museum most probably will be.

It was specifically forged with the aim of inspiring people to think and feel more passionately about design, and to shine a light on the designer’s role at the forefront of social, technological and environmental change.

Initially it was housed in a smaller building in Shad Thames, but in 2008 it moved to a Grade II listed, 1960s-style sweeping beauty in Kensington that’s really worth a visit in and of itself. It also offers three times the space, allowing for the Design Museum’s first permanent exhibition space, as well as more temporary shows.

Design Museum Kensington London

Entry to the permanent exhibition is free, offering up nearly 1,000 items of 20th and 21st century design, hoping to highlight the role of the designer, the maker, and the user. Temporary collections however are usually ticketed, exploring everything from fashion, architecture, and furniture design, to graphic design; product design; transport; and digital design. The current blockbuster is Barbie®: The Exhibition: an epic, colourful romp through 65 years of the doll’s design, with over 250 items on display (many scooped from Mattel’s own archives).

Design Museum

As well as exhibitions, London Design Museum also programmes a number of pretty cool talks with a range of working designers, as well as classes on making everything from tiles to candles and textiles – you can see what’s coming up here.

And in case you get peckish, there’s a cafe with teas, coffees, fresh cakes, and scones with jam and cream, as well as a seasonal menu of hot, savoury dishes.

It’s top-nosh.

 

NOTE: The Design Museum is open every day (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 10am-5pm (6pm Fri/Sun, 9pm Sat). You can see what’s on, and book exhibition tickets, here.

The Design Museum | 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG


Big museum fan? Take a look at our Best Museums In London guide. 


The Design Museum


224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 6AG