Design Museum

London’s rich and varied museum scene received an institution devoted to the city’s considerable design contributions in the Design Museum. Established in 1989, the Design Museum has welcomed millions of visitors for its exhibits related to product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design. Exhibitions at the Design Museum have included the fashion of Vivienne Westwood, a retrospective of Manolo Blahnik’s shoe designs, and the History of Video Games. Programming targeted to design nerds abounds, with frequent talks and galas scheduled. The museum’s permanent collection houses over 2,000 items.

Hours vary by season, but, in general, the London Design Museum is open daily from about 11am to 7pm. Admission is £8.80 (£5.50 students). This includes a 10% voluntary donation to the museum. When purchasing tickets, you may indicate that you do not wish to include a donation, making admission £8.00 (£5.00 students). The museum shop and café, which are free of admission, are open during the same hours as the museum. The museum is completely accessible for those with disabilities.

The Design Museum, currently housed in a 2-story modernist space by Tower Bridge, is planning a relocation to a larger space on Kensington High Street by 2014.