Before you visit
Planning what to see
- Over seven miles of inspiring galleries are waiting for you at V&A South Kensington. Explore using our interactive map, and take a look at our teachers' resources online to help you organise your visit.
- Please note: galleries are occasionally closed at short notice. Please check our visit page or call us on +44 (0)20 7942 2000 near the time of your visit.
Booking a visit
You must book a self-guided visit online in advance of your visit.
You will need to log in to make a booking. Don’t have an account? Request an account for your school.
On arrival, please check-in at the Learning Centre desk. Our friendly team will be able to assist you with lockers and check your booking.
We do not accept third-party provider bookings.
Changes and cancellations
- Please call +44 (0)20 7942 2000 as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your visit, or if you anticipate being late for your time slot.
Adult/student ratios
Adult supervision is required at all times with the following adult-to-student ratios:
- 0 – 2 years 1 adult: 3 children
- 2 – 3 years 1 adult: 4 children
- 4 – 8 years 1 adult: 6 children
- 9 – 12 years 1 adult: 8 children
- 13 – 15 years 1 adult: 10 children
- 16 – 18 years 1 adult: 15 children
Students are not permitted in the galleries unaccompanied.
All teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for student supervision during your visit, and must remain with the group at all times.
Teachers are the lead supervisor for their group and must ensure that students behave in a way that minimises the likelihood of accidents or damage.
Access
- If anyone in your group has any additional access needs and requires assistance, please let us know at the time of booking.
- Please see our disability and access page, or call us on +44 (0)20 7942 2000 for full information about access.
Risk assessment
- You should carry out your own risk assessment before you visit, and bring it with you on the day. See our health and safety information for more guidance.
- A copy of our risk assessment is available on request, to assist with creating your own risk assessment. Please contact our team at schools@vam.ac.uk
Staying safe at the museum
- To enable you and your students to have the best possible and safest visit with us, we advise dividing your larger group into smaller sub-groups to move around. Please ensure each smaller group still meets our adult-to-student ratios outlined above.
- Please refer to our staying safe guidelines during your visit
On the day of your visit
How to reach V&A South Kensington
Our address is:
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
- Please check our visit page for the latest public transport information.
- Coaches: Two drop-off points are located on Cromwell Road. All drop-off points allow up to 15 minutes waiting time. Coach parking facilities are in Hyde Park, off Bayswater Road.
Schools in the Greater London Area can apply for free public transport when making visits to museums within the GLA area.
Arriving at V&A South Kensington
- You can enter via any entrance. The nearest entrance to the Learning Centre is the Blavatnik Entrance on Exhibition Road. This entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.
- Upon arrival at V&A South Kensington, please follow signs to the Learning Centre, where you will check-in. Our interactive map is available to help you with wayfinding.
- In the interest of visitor safety, our Security team may carry out bag searches at the entrances.
Facilities for schools and colleges
- There are lunchroom facilities in our Learning Centre. When booking your school's self-guided visit, you have the option to add-on a lunchroom slot.
- Booking a lunchroom slot gives you access to use our lockers. It is the lead teacher's responsibility to ensure lockers are secure. Items are left in the locker at your own risk.
- The toilets in the Centre are regularly cleaned throughout the day.
Exhibition admission
- School groups can visit our exhibitions at a discounted rate. To book and find out more, please call our Contact Centre Team on +44 (0)20 7942 2000 and an advisor will be able to process your request.
Conduct
- Teachers are responsible for students' behaviour and safety at all times. Please remind your group not to touch objects, shout or run.
- You are welcome to draw in any gallery. For temporary exhibitions, please check signage or ask a member of staff. Please only use dry materials – for example coloured or graphite pencils. Materials must be encased in a box or bag.
Contact us
If you have any questions before you visit, please email our Learning Co-ordinator – Schools and Colleges at: schools@vam.ac.uk or call: +44 (0)20 7942 2000.