Young V&A is open seven days a week. General admission is free and you don’t need to book. There may be some queues to get in to the museum at busy times through the summer, including weekends.
Getting here
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.
Access
Our entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.
If you'd like to borrow a wheelchair, fill in our accessibility aid form at least 24 hours in advance of 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.
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.
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.
Facilities
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 Community Room 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.
Luggage
Luggage with wheels, and bags larger than 56 × 45 × 21cm, are not allowed in the galleries. The 24 free storage lockers can accommodate cabin-sized bags but please note that these are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not have facilities to store large luggage.
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.
Balloons
Please note that helium balloons are not allowed inside the museum.
Members
Support for the V&A is more important than ever – we'd like to thank all of our Members for continuing to support us. Please remember to bring your Membership card and identification when you visit. See our visiting questions for Members page or find out more about V&A Membership.
FAQs
See our visiting FAQs and Membership visiting FAQs for further information.
Can't find the answer? Email us: young@vam.ac.uk