While in London, plan to visit the Design Museum, which celebrates the history of modern design, the people behind it and its impact on society. Browse exhibitions by famous designers, which cover everything from architecture and cinema to fashion, furniture and transport. Established by English designer Sir Terrance Conran in 1989, the Design Museum moved to its current location in 2016. In 2018 it won the European Museum of the Year Award.
Start at the Designer Maker User permanent exhibition, where over 1,000 artifacts from the 20th and 21st centuries introduce the roles of the designer, manufacturer and user in design development. Find exhibits related to building design, engineering, information technology and other disciplines. Among the exhibition’s highlights is the London 2012 Olympic torch. Children will have fun pretending to be a designer by playing with puzzles and 3-D kits.
Temporary exhibitions take place on the ground floor and champion the life’s works of designers from around the world. They include the museum founder Terrance Conran, pioneering engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and iconic furniture designer Eileen Gray. See into the minds of influential people such as filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and motor racing entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari.
Talks and creative workshops present the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the design industry. Visually impaired visitors can take part in multi-sensory tours of select exhibitions. Bring the children to family-friendly craft-making activities. In June the museum is a venue for The Great Exhibition Road Festival, which brings together art and science in South Kensington.
Located on Kensington High Street, the museum is easy to reach by using London’s public transportation network. High Street Kensington underground station and Kensington Olympia train terminal are both about a 10-minute walk away.
The Design Museum is open daily, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Admission is free to the permanent exhibition. Purchase tickets for the temporary exhibitions in person or in advance via the museum’s official website. Discounts are available when visiting two temporary exhibitions on the same day.
