Young V and A (our details and interior photographs were taken when it was formerly the Museum of Childhood), Bethnal Green, London. Free entry
Details
Accessibility
"The nearest accessible parking spaces are at Parmiter Street.
Our entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.
If you'd like to reserve a wheelchair, email us at young@vam.ac.uk the day before your visit. Or ask for one at the Welcome Desk when you arrive.
Our Shop and Café are located on the ground floor. A ramp and two lifts provide access to the galleries and exhibition spaces.
The nearest accessible parking spaces are on Parmiter Street, approximately 0.2 miles away. If you need accessible parking please email accessibility@vam.ac.uk
Our visual story shows you pictures of the museum and how to access our spaces.
Autism Spectrum Conditions and sensory impairments
Located on the lower-ground floor, the Reading Room is our designated quiet space offering a calming environment for individuals who may need a break from sensory stimulation. This is a drop-in, multi-use space which can also be used for reading, homework, prayer or breastfeeding.
You might find our visual story useful to help plan your visit.
Babies and young children
Breastfeeding is welcome in all areas of Young V&A; if you need more privacy you can use the Reading Room on the lower ground floor, or the Common Room during weekends or school holidays. Baby changing facilities are available in both men's and women's toilets on the lower-ground floor.
The Reading Room
If you need some quiet time, drop into our Reading Room on the lower-ground floor. This is our multi-use quiet space offering a calming environment for prayer, reading, breastfeeding or for anyone who might need a break from sensory stimulation. Access is first-come, first-served.
Galleries and events
There are three big galleries at Young V&A, called Imagine, Play and Design. There are sometimes exhibitions which may carry an entrance charge, but there's always something to do. You can see what's coming up here. "
Brief description
"V&A Museum of Childhood will remain closed while its being transformed into Young V&A – a new world-leading museum of design and creativity for children and young people. Find out more about the V&A Museum of Childhood transformation We're creating a national museum dedicated to young people, from early years to teens – a space to imagine, play and design. We want to unlock your creativity and connect you with inspiring objects, projects and people from across the V&A's vast collection of art, design and performance.
The things around us can shape and improve our lives – they reflect what matters to us. Our clothes, books, possessions and games are important because they say something about us, the world we live in, and how we live in it.
Come and spark your creativity at Young V&A – the museum where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design. Be inspired by spaces, explore our collection and get creative."
Please note that our interior photographs were taken when this venue was the V&A Museum of childhood and BEFORE its being transformed into the Young V&A
Address
Young V&A
Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Phone
020 8983 5200
Website
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_V%26A
https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/young
https://www.facebook.com/youngvam
Directions
2023: "The nearest underground station is Bethnal Green (it's a 2-minute walk from there). The nearest overground station is Cambridge Heath (a 5-minute walk). Please note, the nearest station with step-free access is Whitechapel, for further information see the Transport for London website.
There are lots of other ways to get to us – including bikes, buses or buggies.
Buses 106, 254, 388 and D6 stop nearby
There's a bike station just across the road, and space to park your bike in front of the museum
There's a buggy park in the Welcome Area inside the door
Parking for cars is limited, so we advise using public transport. The nearest accessible parking spaces are at Parmiter Street."
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
2023 Opening times:
Daily: 10.00 – 17.45
Galleries close from 17.00
Transport
2023: "The nearest underground station is Bethnal Green (it's a 2-minute walk from there). The nearest overground station is Cambridge Heath (a 5-minute walk). Please note, the nearest station with step-free access is Whitechapel, for further information see the Transport for London website.
There are lots of other ways to get to us – including bikes, buses or buggies.
Buses 106, 254, 388 and D6 stop nearby
There's a bike station just across the road, and space to park your bike in front of the museum
There's a buggy park in the Welcome Area inside the door
Parking for cars is limited, so we advise using public transport. The nearest accessible parking spaces are at Parmiter Street."
Amenities
Toilets
"Our toilets are open throughout the building and are regularly cleaned throughout the day. Accessible toilets are located on the lower-ground floor. We also have a Changing Places Toilet – ask for the key at the Welcome Desk. Baby-changing facilities are available in both men's and women's toilets.
Buggy park
Buggy parking is available in the Welcome Area near the main entrance. An overflow buggy park may be in use during peak times. Please note personal belongings are left at your own risk.
Lifts
The main lift is on the right as you enter the Town Square. Another lift can be found at the back of the Imagine Gallery.
Shops
The Young V&A Main Shop, on the ground floor, is open during museum opening hours. You can also shop online. The V&A is a charity and every purchase made in our shops helps to support us.
The Young V&A Shop is proudly championing local industry by working with UK designers and manufacturers where possible, as well as supporting artisans and social enterprises from all over the world.
Food
The Town Square Café is open from 10.00 – 17.00 Monday to Sunday, serving a range of hot and cold meals, cakes and pastries, teas and barista-made coffee. Children can take their pick from our lunchtime meal boxes. Highchairs and bottle warming facilities are provided.
You are welcome to bring cold food and drink from home. Our cafe has a bottle warmer and a microwave if you need to heat up milk or food for your little ones, and you can eat your packed lunch in the Town Square or in the neighbouring Museum Gardens. On weekends and during school holidays, you can also eat packed lunches in the Common Room. Please note that no food or drink is permitted in the gallery spaces.
School groups with a pre-booked workshop will automatically be allocated a lunch slot in the Common Room. Lunch slots for self-directed groups visiting our galleries are subject to availability.
Please contact us for further information: young@vam.ac.uk
Lockers
There are 24 free storage lockers located on the lower-ground floor to store your possessions.
The Reading Room
If you need some quiet time, drop into our Reading Room on the lower-ground floor. This is our multi-use quiet space offering a calming environment for prayer, reading, breastfeeding or for anyone who might need a break from sensory stimulation. Access is first-come, first-served."
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
NB London ULTRA-LOW EMISSION ZONE
This started on 8 April 2019 in the Central London Congestion Charge Zone, and will extend to the whole of the London area within the
M25 Motorway from 25 October 2021.
For more details please see:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle-35896
Vehicles registered with a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicles' tax class will benefit from a grace period after the ULEZ starts until 26 October 2025 as long as their vehicle doesn't change tax class, and this also applies to a 'disabled' vehicle registered outside the UK.
Location
Nearest Venues
Museum Gardens, Bethnal Green, London
79 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.