V&A South Kensington is open seven days a week, with no booking required for general admission.
For information about visiting V&A South Kensington and our exhibitions as a V&A Member, please see our V&A Member's FAQs.
Visiting safely
Will I have to wear a face covering while in the building?
You may wish to wear a wear face covering within exhibition galleries and our more confined public spaces, but it is not required
We have sanitising hand gel available, as well as V&A face coverings for purchase in the V&A Shop. There are also protective screens at shop and café counters.
Are you still running online events?
Absolutely! We have some fantastic online experiences coming up.
Will the V&A Academy courses continue online?
Yes – we have an exciting and diverse range of V&A Academy Online art history courses which can be accessed globally.
Tickets
Can I book a ticket to see the permanent collection?
Booking is no longer required to visit V&A South Kensington.
I have a ticket to visit an exhibition, do I also need a ticket to visit the rest of V&A South Kensington?
No, if you have a ticket for one of our exhibitions, you are welcome to stay and view the permanent collection for as long as you want to, within general opening hours, after you exit the exhibition.
Refunds and rescheduling
How do I go about claiming a refund for a cancelled event?
We contact all ticket holders impacted by cancelled or postponed events outlining the options available to them. If you don't hear from us, please get in touch with our Contact Centre team at: hello@vam.ac.uk, who will be happy to help organise an exchange or a refund for you. Alternatively, you can donate your ticket value to support the V&A. Ticket revenue is vital to the V&A, now more than ever, and it would be tremendously appreciated.
I can no longer attend on the day/time of my paid exhibition ticket, can I exchange them or receive a refund?
We don't offer refunds or exchanges on exhibition tickets. Please email us at: hello@vam.ac.uk if you have any concerns about your booking or require further information.
Access and tours
I'm a visitor with access needs, can I book a wheelchair for my visit?
Yes, we are still able to lend wheelchairs, with increased cleaning measures in place. These need to be pre-booked by emailing: hello@vam.ac.uk or by calling the Contact Centre on +44 (0)20 7942 2000.
For any further assistance please contact us by email at: accessibility@vam.ac.uk
Can I have a guided tour of the galleries?
We have a series of online self-guided trails of the V&A, which explore highlights from the collection, the building's architecture, and a selection of family favourites. There are also digital versions of our popular African Heritage Tour and LGBTQ Tour.
Will I still be allowed to sketch in the galleries?
Yes, with some exceptions – please check the latest guidance. We want you to feel comfortable while sketching and drawing so sanitised stools will be available in Gallery 21, and once used, they can be dropped off at the Cromwell Road exit to be cleaned.
Can I download a virtual map?
Yes, we have a PDF of our Museum Map. You can also explore our building virtually through our Digital Map.
Facilities
Are the cafés, and shops open?
Yes, our cafés and shop are open.
Are the cloakrooms open?
Our cloakrooms are open. Bags larger than 56cm × 45cm × 21cm and bags with wheels are not allowed in V&A South Kensington.
Please note, only small sized bags are allowed in the galleries, and as part of our security procedures we may ask to search your bag.
Group bookings and study rooms
Are group bookings allowed?
Due to our restricted visitor capacity, we are currently unable to accommodate group bookings, including any private talks and tours of the collections. Self-guided visits are available for school groups.
What is available for schools? Can we book virtual visits?
School groups can now book a self-guided visit. You can sign up for our Schools e-newsletter to get the latest updates on school visits. We also have plenty of resources available for teachers and students online.
What is available for families?
We offer a range of events and activities for families, please see the Families page on our website for more details.
Are the library, archives and study rooms available again?
We are opening different spaces in phases. The National Art Library is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the Prints and Drawings Study Room is open for individuals on Wednesdays and group visits on Thursdays. You can access our Explore the Collections database and explore our Archives online.
Researchers are welcome to submit online enquiries, but please note that we do not currently have access to all our physical collections, so we may only be able to provide general advice.