The Young V&A, formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood, reopened on 1 July 2023 after a major renovation. The museum in Bethnal Green, East London, is dedicated to children and young people aged up to 14 years.

The Young V&A opened in 1872 as the Bethnal Green Museum. The iron-framed building was originally built for the 1851 Great Exhibition in South Kensington and was relocated to its present site in Bethnal Green. The museum was renamed the V&A Museum of Childhood in 1974 and in 2018, it closed for a three-year, £13 million renovation and the new Young V&A reopened on 1 July 2023.

It is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), which is the United Kingdom’s national museum of applied arts.

What to see at the Young V&A

The Young V&A is a vibrant and exciting space for children and young people to learn, play, and be creative. The museum features both interactive displays and over 2,000 objects from around the world dating from 2,300 BC to the present day and it is divided into three galleries: Play, Imagine, and Design, each designed with different age groups in mind.

The Town Square is the focal point of the Young V&A museum. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Town Square is the focal point of the Young V&A museum. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)

The Play gallery is filled with interactive exhibits that encourage children to explore their creativity and imagination. Visitors can dress up in costumes, build their own robots, and play games that challenge their problem-solving skills.

The Mini Museum in the Play Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Mini Museum in the Play Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)

The Imagine gallery looks at the power of design and how it can be used to solve problems and make the world a better place. Visitors can learn about the history of design, see how different objects are made, and design their own products.

The Adventure Display at the Imagine Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Adventure Display at the Imagine Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)

The Design gallery showcases a wide range of objects from the V&A’s collection, from toys and games to furniture and fashion. Visitors can see how these objects have changed over time and how they reflect the different cultures and societies that created them.

The Design for Change display in the Design Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Design for Change display in the Design Gallery at the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. (Photo: © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum)

Temporary exhibitions at the Young V&A

The museum also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Japan: Myths to Manga
The Japan: Myths to Manga exhibition (until 8 September 2024) explores the influence of Japanese mythology and folklore on popular culture, technology, and design. The exhibition features a wide range of objects, from traditional Japanese artworks to contemporary manga and anime. Visitors can learn about the origins of Japanese mythology, see how it has been interpreted in different forms, and explore how it continues to inspire artists and designers today.

Visiting the Young V&A

The V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green in East London. It is only a two-minute walk from Bethnal Green tube station (on the Central line) and Cambridge Heath railway station (on the London Overground with trains from Liverpool Street station) is not much farther.

The museum is open 10am–5.45pm daily and admission is free of charge.

The museum is wheelchair accessible; however, nearby Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath stations do not have step-free access.

The Young V&A has extensive visitor amenities, including a makerspace, a rooftop garden, and a cafe. The makerspace is a dedicated space where children can use tools and materials to create their own projects. The rooftop garden is a calm and peaceful space where children can relax and enjoy the outdoors. The cafe offers a variety of food and drinks, as well as a space for parents and caregivers to meet and chat.

Compared with its larger parent museum, the Young V&A is relatively small and can be seen in 1–2 hours.

Amenities
  • Wheelchair access
  • Cafe/restaurant
  • Gift shop

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