Design Museum

Design Museum Review

This was the first museum in the U.K. to place everyday contemporary objects in a social and cultural context and consider their role in the history of design. Furniture, digital technology, and domestic products from the museum's permanent collection are on display (some visitors feel the ordinariness of the objects does not justify the high admission price), while temporary exhibitions focus on leading individual designers ranging from Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi to Terence Conran and Christian Louboutin, or themes such as Sport and Design. There is also an annual exhibition highlighting the winners of the Designs of the Year competition. Workshops, courses, and family days enliven the museum for children. If you're in need of sustenance, the Blueprint Café (designed by Conran) offers a river terrace with superb views. For quicker snacks at a lower price, the museum has its own café on the ground floor. Entry to both cafés and the museum store is free.