The Design Museum

One of London’s more recently built museums, the design museum is unmatched in it’s vibrance

What: The design museum is designed… (see what I did there?) to take you into the industry, and show you just how much of our daily lives have design at its forefront.

Signs point the way to London's Design Museum — **This way please**

Where: The museum is at the Southern end of Holland Park. The closest underground stations are Earl’s Court (10 minute walk), and Holland Park (15).

When: The museum is open daily from 10am until 6pm, besides on Saturdays, when it leaves the doors for its ticketed exhibits open until 9pm.

The creation station at the Design Museum in London — **The “Creation Station”**

Interactivity: There’s surprisingly little interaction and hands on fun to be had in this museum. The vast majority of objects are strictly no touch or just info and pictures on the wall. All the interaction is found at the end of the Designer, Maker, User exhibit, where aspiring designers of all ages can pick a prompt and try and work to a solution in design using tools, models, and art supplies.

Who: All ages will enjoy the Design Museum, with the lack of interaction being made up for by the vibrant colours that are sure to keep a kid’s attention for a while. Still, children will get bored faster than the grown ups in this museum, so best to pair it with a visit to Holland Park whilst you’re here.

Miscellaneous items including crossing signs, shoes, a bucket, and a world cup football on a rack at London's Design Museum. — **Design on the daily**

How much: The Museum is free. They’re always ever changing special ticketed displays from £12 for adults and £6 for children.

How long: If you’re only coming to see the free exhibits, give the museum about an hour. For the ticketed displays, the recommended time varies exhibit by exhibit. From experience, 30 minutes to an hour is normally enough for ticketed displays. It goes without saying that if you’re studying or have an interest in design then you may find yourself occupied for far longer.

A colourful chair that looks like it's made out of lego (although it just painted like that) on display in an art gallery — **Laundromat of the future?**

Highlights: Excluding the ticketed exhibits, the Designer, Maker, User exhibit is the definite highlight here. It’s amazing to see the abundance of everyday items that design has a part in and to find out what the “part” is.

Events and Specials: Temporary ticketed displays change seasonally and are open late on Saturdays (9pm)

Nearby Attractions:

A wide garden path in London's Holland Park — **Nearby Holland Park**

Leighton House – 2 minute walk Holland Park – 1 minute Kyoto Gardens – 5 minutes Earl’s Court Police Box (Tardis) – 10 minutes Kensington Palace – 15 minutes Kensington Gardens – 20 minutes.