Latest news with #SouthKensington
Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Other House, South Kensington
Why book? Because there's nothing quite like it in this part of town, where visitors are usually looking for a comfortable stay to combat museum fatigue after ticking off the V&A and other big hitters. The Other House South Kensington promises all the inside-track benefits of a private members' club combined with the convenience and autonomy of having your own London crashpad. For this it leans into tech, offering an app which means guests can plug into the services of the hotel, and be as engaged—or not—with staff as they want. Set the scene Although this place strives to be different in its apartment-living-meets-hotel-stay concept, it is also still very much rooted in its surroundings. The main feature of the lobby is a gilded whoosh of a chandelier mimicking a garland of leaves. Commissioned from Cox London, it is designed to echo the leafy private gardens found in this well-heeled neighborhood. The decor throughout is rainforest-opulent, with signature owl and monkey wallpaper in the bar of the same name, along with velvet cushions with bejeweled panther heads and gilded parrots perching on lamp stands with fringed parlor-worthy shades. The animal motifs continue throughout the public areas—from the peacock-stalked jacquard jackets worn by front-of-house staff to the tropical waistcoats of the mixologists. There's even strokable armadillo-print wallpaper in the ladies' bathroom on the club floor. Here you'll also find three spaces open to residents and members: the Keeping Room—clubby and cool with armchairs and sofas in richly textured and toned fabrics, and a baby grand for impromptu singaloangs, plus three little curtained nooks that invite ordering afternoon cocktails; the Hogsmire, a light- and tree-filled atrium with a courtyard feel where Panama hats hang on pegs fashioned like twigs; and the Owl & Monkey, which is open during the day to members and residents as a coworking space. Beside the lobby, there's also the library, where the book selection was curated by Pandora Sykes, and includes titles from Gilly Cooper to Candice Carty-Williams via Charles Dickens. And look out for the brightly daubed disruptor art: elaborate frames bought around Europe then smeared with pops of oil paint. On our visit, the crowd consisted of arty Euro couples, local friends sussing out the scene in the bar, and families with teenagers hanging out in the vibrantly decorated library. The backstory Naomi Heaton, CEO and founder of The Other House, made her name in advertising and property development before launching this hospitality brand. She transferred some of the learnings from her residential background to the design of the hotel, for example she didn't want a lobby that was too formal or staid and created the Club Flats (the name for the property's 200-plus guestrooms) so they resemble urban studios, with sitting rooms and kitchenettes. The renovation of the property was extensive as it spans 11 grand Victorian townhouses, which at one point had been converted into a hotel. After a complete reconfiguration of the buildings, the new incarnation now includes four sky-lit atriums, a café, cocktail bar, private meeting and dining rooms, a pool, gym, and a wellness space. Next up, Heaton plans to launch Other Houses in Covent Garden and Belgravia. The rooms Ranging from studio-feel Club Pros and vaulted-ceiling Club Turrets to three-bedroom Club Vaults, the choice of stays here is expansive. While for some guests, a compact apartment with a fully kitted-out kitchenette and deep-orange velvet sofa and TV will tick all the boxes of a neat London pied-à-terre, larger groups or families can take over a 'combo,' a group of apartments connected by a covered private courtyard for riad-style living. The moody aesthetic uses wood and leather panels with a focus on wool and tweed in the soft furnishings. To enhance the neighborhood feel, each floor is named after famous one-time-local residents. Our room was on O'Brien—after singer Dusty Springfield. Food and drink All-day street café The Other Kitchen is open to the public as well as residents, serving breakfasts of green smoothies, granola, berry compote, and Clarence Court eggs on fun monkey-motif china by William Edwards, and lunches of giant sandwiches stuffed with chicken, pickled vegetables, and kimchi mayonnaise, or salads of butternut squash and crispy bacon. Come evening, the vibey Owl and the Monkey cocktail bar turns up the soundtrack and turns out great cocktails and satisfying small plates. Especially impressive here is the choice of non-alcoholic concoctions—try French Kiss 0%, with plum and rhubarb elixir, grapefruit soda, and Everleaf Mountain, or for something boozy, the Monkey See, Monkey Do for a rum, yuzu sake, and clarified milk experience. Among the small plates are halloumi bites, sausage rolls, and broad bean, pea, and feta arancini. The spa The hotel's Other Space does wellbeing with a spiritual and holistic twist—from a wellbeing concierge offering one-on-one experiences to astrology and tarot card reading. There's also a vitality pool for laps, with sexy black tiles and a light installation, plus a sauna, steam room, and seriously kitted-out gym with Peloton bikes and hi-tech rowing machines. Group sessions of body work such as yoga take place three times a week. The neighborhood/area The shopping of Knightsbridge, leafy paths of Hyde Park, and local-haunt restaurants of Chelsea are on the doorstep. The idea behind The Other House is to bring the fun-loving members' club set-up to a new part of London while still rooting it in the area. The service The young and upbeat staff strike up a rapport with you from the minute you walk in the door, and are equally friendly right through to making sure your pre-dinner drinks are as stiff as you like them. This is all part of the traditional hotel service here, but for guests who are treating it as their London apartment for longer stays, there are extra bells and whistles such as a separate post room for Amazon deliveries and an area off the lobby for Deliveroo drop-offs. You can even take up a residence for a year, leave for a few months and return to pick up where you left off. The in-house app allows you to have the run of the place: order food, see how busy the gym is, or book The Den screening room for a film night with friends. Eco effort Sustainability is one of the brand's pillars, so materials with a low environmental impact were used in construction, and products from verified eco-friendly suppliers have been sourced for the hotel's day-to-day operations. For example, you won't find any limes in cocktail garnishes at the Owl and the Monkey (they are among the fruits with the biggest carbon footprint, according to Heaton). Furniture and fabrics throughout the property are from British design houses. Accessibility All floors are accessible via the elevators, and there are accessible rooms available from the ground to the fifth floor.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Moment ‘shoplifter' stuffs baby clothes down his TROUSERS in shock raid on store loved by Princess Kate
SHOCKING footage shows a man appearing to steal baby clothes from a store loved by Princess Kate by stuffing them down his trousers. The alleged incident happened in South Kensington, London, at luxury baby boutique Blue Almonds. 5 5 5 The store, loved by Kate Middleton, shared the CCTV footage on social media with the hopes of catching the culprit. In the footage, a man appears to be stuffing two items of baby blue clothing down his shorts. He is then accused of adding a third item into in his pocket, while appearing to drop the items on the floor. In the video the alleged thief, dressed in all black, then walks out the door and waves a goodbye. Meanwhile a woman, wearing a white summer dress and sliders, follows swiftly after giving a quick glance back. Blue Almonds shared the footage on social media, writing: "Please share this footage, it could help identify the individuals involved and increase the chances of them being caught. "We were unfortunate to experience theft at our boutique, something that thankfully doesn't happen often, but it's still upsetting." The SW3 store is one of London's most exclusive, and expensive baby retailers which has been frequented by Princess Kate for her children. The items seen to be stolen would have cost close to around £200. Kate Middleton went to the store with her mother Carole back in April 2013, a few weeks before Prince George was born. Astonishing moment brazen thief stuffs £400 worth of Jellycats down her TROUSERS in shocking soft toy raid She purchased a £295 wicker basket, after spending an hour browsing the different baskets on sale. Blue Almonds describes itself as "London's finest luxury baby boutique", that won Best Baby Store in 2017 and was featured in Vogue. Added to the footage, Blue Almonds said: "As a public service, we're sharing this footage to raise awareness and help warn other businesses in the area to stay extra cautious. "If you recognise anyone in the footage, you can contact the police and give them this crime reference number 01/7719971/25 or contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or email. "We will forward all information to the police." A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for further information following a report of an alleged theft from a shop in Walton Street, Kensington which was reported at 21:02hrs on Thursday, 10 July. "No arrests have been made at this stage. "Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Met via 101, quoting: 01/7719971/25." 5
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Moment man and woman shoplifters steal BABY clothes from one of Kate Middleton's favourite boutiques
A man and woman were caught on camera stealing baby clothes from a London boutique adored by the Princess of Wales. Blue Almonds on Walton Street, South Kensington, shared CCTV footage on social media in a desperate bid to catch the pair of thieves after they took several garments without paying. In the shocking clip, the man is seen discreetly stuffing three pieces of blue clothing down his shorts while pretending to pick dropped items off the floor. Making sure no one is looking, the thief - who is dressed in all black - shoves a tiny outfit down his clothes, before placing what looks like a baby hat in his pocket and then another item down his shorts. He then casually walks towards the door, waves goodbye to shopkeepers and strolls off. Meanwhile, a woman he is with - dressed in a white summer dress and sliders - promptly follows him out the door, looking back as she makes her exit. Blue Almonds, one of London's most exclusive - and expensive - baby stores, is a favourite of Princess Catherine, who has purchased items from the boutique for her own children. Kate and her mother Carole Middleton bought a £295 wicker basket for Prince George a few weeks before his birth. When visiting the boutique in April 2013, Kate and Carole spent up to an hour browsing the Moses baskets on sale, before purchasing a large white wicker version. Blue Almonds' previous clients are also said to include famous popstar Lily Allen. After the recent theft, Blue Almonds posted the ordeal on social media in a bid to catch the stealing duo. 'Please share this footage [...] it could help identify the individuals involved and increase the chances of them being caught,' they wrote. 'We were unfortunate to experience theft at our boutique, something that thankfully doesn't happen often, but it's still upsetting.' The boutique added: 'As a public service, we're sharing this footage to raise awareness and help warn other businesses in the area to stay extra cautious. 'If you recognise anyone in the footage, you can contact the police and give them this crime reference number 01/7719971/25 or contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or email. We will forward all information to the police.'
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Tennis' favourite restaurant: The secrets of Wimbledon's 'nutritionist' who counts Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Jack Draper among his trusted clients
The most well-connected man in tennis isn't a former player, a broadcaster, or a tournament director. It isn't even an agent. Arguably, it is a restauranteur. And most haven't heard of his restaurants. He doesn't oversee a global franchise like Nobu, or self-promote aggressively like Salt Bae. Instead, his three Spanish restaurants, clustered on the same stretch of Old Brompton Road in South Kensington which he has made his personal fiefdom, remain spots for the in-the-know for most of the season. But as spring turns to summer every year and the British grass-court season kicks off in earnest, Abel Lusa welcomes the great and the good of the tennis world, past, present and future, through the doors of Cambio de Tercio. The names of his favoured clients make eye-popping reading. Rafael Nadal, of course, who in turn introduced Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, Feliciano Lopez, Garbine Muguruza, Tim Henman, Jack Draper - his brother, IMG agent Ben Draper is 'a good friend', as many clients are - and Carlos Alcaraz, who is so addicted to his cooking that Cambio de Tercio will often send dishes home with the two-time Wimbledon champion if he cannot make it in person. The way into tennis' heart, it seems, is through its stomach. Lusa is a born host, open and convivial, who talks in paragraphs, not sentences. He is also life-long tennis fan who idolised Pete Sampras as a young man, ideally poised for a twist-of-fate friendship with a Spanish member of the ATP to spark a domino effect that soon saw almost every one of the game's big names cross his restaurant's threshold when the tour moves to the capital. The restaurant has played host to a face of famous faces in the tennis world (Maria Sharapova pictured) A stone's throw from the Queen's Club, which then hosted just a men's tournament, and the right side of London for Wimbledon, word of mouth spread fast. 'He brought the likes of Carlos Moya, Alex Corrteja, Albert Costa, Alberto Berasategui, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario,' Lusa told Mail Sport at the All England Lawn Tennis club last week. 'Back in the time, it was not so popular to rent the house at Wimbledon -maybe for the top 10 - but the rest of the people, they all used to stay around Gloucester Road, the Millennium Hotel, or the Holiday Inn near our restaurant. 'So we started quickly having all the French players and other nationalities as well. And then, because I was a tennis fan, we started, starting going to all the matches here at Wimbledon. And the they would all come for dinner, because they were staying near here.' With entourages smaller and privacy a lesser concern in a mostly analogue age, Lusa's restaurants quickly became an official clubhouse to mingle with their peers and enjoy a longed-for taste of home amid globe-trotting on the circuit. 'When players used to travel around the world to other tournaments, they would rarely encounter Spanish restaurants,' Lusa noted. 'Usually at the time was mostly Italians. These days, Japanese, Italian, whatever. But still today, there are not so many (like my restaurants) restaurants, whatever they travel and that's basically how it all started. That generation obviously brought the next one.' The next one contained a new icon - Nadal - who became synonymous with Cambio de Tercio's tennis credentials. 'With Rafa, he quickly became my hero, and I look after him very well. I'm a very close friend of Uncle Toni,' Lusa adds. 'He's one of my best friends in the industry. And we traveled to many, many tournaments. I used to sit with them pretty much every time at the box at Wimbledon. I always joke with my clients that I was the nutritionist, so they all laugh at that. Can I authorise myself the nutritionist of Rafa?' For Nadal, it was Cambio de Tercio's Galician octopus with potatoes, capers, and paprika that fueled his grass-court season, and 'turbot, sea bass, and raw fish'. Cambio de Tercio would also play host to his celebrations after winning Queen's in 2008, as well as any occasion for triumph in SW19 - even if the restaurant has to play second fiddle to the Wimbledon Champions Dinner. 'We celebrated Muguruza's titles, because it was on a Saturday when she won and the defeat as well, when she lost the final again on a Saturday, we celebrated as well,' Lusa, who is immediately identifiable as a man in no mood to waste the chance for a party, reminisces. 'We celebrated quarterfinals, semi finals and everything. With Rafa, I think, for three years, he came to Queens, and back in the day, Roland-Garros would finish (on Sunday), Queens begins (on Monday). So he would always arrive on Monday afternoon, and that Monday me, my wife, and his small team, would have dinner with him and celebrate the French Open victory.' But after over 20 years as the players' informal canteen, Lusa made their relationship official when Cambio de Tercio opened a pop-up restaurant for players at the Australian Open. While the restaurant's specialties like patatas bravas, platefuls of Jamon Iberico, and Spanish omelette may not sound immediately identifiable as pre-match fare, the winning formula has translated in spades. 'We try to bring the finish of a restaurant to the players. Everything has to be (like that),' Lusa says. 'And that's why other tournaments are calling us. In an ATP and WTA universe where tournaments are trying to tempt the very best talents to their entry lists, the smaller details of the player experience have become crucial, and food, Lusa insists, is a big part of the draw. 'If you pick a junior from Uzbekistan, these days, if you give him a bad steak or a good steak, a bad croqueta or a good croqueta, he would know the difference very quickly. 'Everybody talks about the food. I speak to the players, and say, "what about this tournament?" "Rubbish.", "this is rubbish", "that's terrible". "This is the best". "This is fantastic."' Not even the venerably upper-crust Wimbledon can escape insider judgement. 'With due respect, but it's very poor.' As a Grand Slam, it won't be shedding any big names for its facilities, but other events don't have that luxury. As well as the Australian Open, Cambio de Tercio will cater the Shanghai Masters in the autumn, Queen's - naturally - Federer's passion project Laver Cup, and freshly confirmed in SW19, Indian Wells, the 'tennis paradise' viewed as the unofficial fifth major. Music to players' ears, no doubt, and likely one former Indian Wells champion in particular. While Nadal is his forever icon, Lusa is a card-carrying supporter of his most notable client in this era, Alcaraz. Alcaraz eats everything - 'Spanish omelette, patatas bravas, garlic and chili prawns, fish, and meat. He is a perfect, fantastic eater' - and he's going to win everything including, Lusa asserts, a third Wimbledon next Sunday. But as much as the most exciting figure in men's tennis is treated accordingly at Cambio de Tercio, the restaurant's popularity stems, in part, from Lusa's ability to treat everyone he encounters with a similar familiarity. 'There's no other restaurant probably anywhere in the world associated to the place like the way we are,' Lusa says after considering the idea for only a second. 'If they go to New York, they go to 100 different places. Okay, it might be more popular, but because I'm involved, at Cambio de Tercio, they know it's me. 'I greet them and I joke with them, and say, "what did you order? Okay, try this as well, I'm gonna give you this". They come and say, "can I have this? Can you cook that? "Can you do this tomorrow for me?" 'This is what makes us different, and also, because they know that I am a passionate (tennis fan). Sometimes they even come to me for advice. In a joking way, because I know the coach maybe, or the agent is a good friend of mine, so they they accept that from me - even if I give them a correction.' The afternoon is baking hot and Lusa is meeting his wife before they go, of course, to watch Alcaraz on Centre Court. But as he leaves, as if to prove his final point, Lusa makes time to catch up with an old friend. Diego Schwartzman, the recently retired former world No8 is passing through for his first time at Wimbledon as a fan since 2013. Immediate priorities in London? Securing a table at Cambio de Tercio.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
20 best museums in London for 2025, from family-friendly days out to galleries filled with famous art
London is considered one of the best cities in the entire world for museums that are free to enter, keeping the pursuit of knowledge, creative inspiration and fun days out accessible to all. The UK 's capital boasts just under 200 museums, 11 of which are national, including world-famous attractions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, which exhibit some of the rarest and most spectacular artefacts and artworks on the planet. Aside from this, one of the most impressive aspects of London 's museums is that there is something for every visitor, from family-friendly interactive exhibitions, to historic and modern galleries for art lovers, and displays that explore science, technology and design. Whether you are looking to fill a morning in the school summer holidays or swap a sweltering day in the heat for an afternoon deepening your understanding of the past, present or future, we have rounded up the best museums in London to visit this summer. Best London museums to visit in 2025 1. Natural History Museum South Kensington The Natural History Museum is home to more than 80 million objects, some dating back billions of years, with exhibitions on prehistoric predators including displays of dinosaur bones and fossils, as well as early humans. Visitors can also learn about the animal kingdom throughout history, with exhibits on the evolution of mammals, extinct species such as mammoths and dodos, and marine invertebrates. Spend time in the sparkling section of the museum that houses raw minerals and rare gems, including the Devonshire Emerald, one of the biggest and most richly coloured emeralds ever discovered, and a meteorite originating from Mars. Kid-friendly? Self-guided family tour 2. Victoria and Albert Museum South Kensington The V&A has a collection of 1.25 million objects, ranging from early European art and neoclassical furniture, to the biggest and most comprehensive collection of fashion items in the world. Spanning over 5,000 years of creativity, its exhibitions spotlight art, design and performance. Notable pieces include dresses designed by Alexander McQueen and a museum favourite, the Tippoo's Tiger, which was stolen from Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore in South India, after attacks by the British East India Company army. Kid-friendly? Digital family trails and treasure hunts around the museum; you can also check out the Young V&A in Hackney for a child-focused experience 3. Science Museum South Kensington The Science Museum is one of London's major museums, covering topics from mathematics and engineering to space and everyday technology. Some of his highlights on display include the rocket launcher that sent the British Black Arrow satellite into space, one of the oldest clocks in the world and the Apollo 10 capsule module which went around the Moon. Galleries also includes the history of flight, exhibiting a complete slice of a genuine Boeing 747 jumbo jet, and objects from science and technology that have shaped the modern world. Kid-friendly? Interactive galleries, family trails, 'Space Show' with live science experiments. 4. Imperial War Museum Lambeth The Imperial War Museum showcases the lives of ordinary people who fought or lived through war and conflict, with two large displays focusing on the First and Second World Wars. The galleries host thousands of objects telling the story of how these two wars impacted societies across the world, including weapons, photographs, personal items and everyday objects like ration tickets. Another permanent exhibition, the Holocaust Galleries, displays first-hand testimonies of veterans, eyewitnesses and survivors of the genocide. This sobering museum will leave you with a better understanding of the impact of war on society and how similar conflicts across the globe today are having the same effect. Kid-friendly? Family trails around the museum, veteran family days 5. Museum of the Home Hoxton Found in almshouses built in 1714, the Museum of the Home does not focus on a specific event or a certain collection; instead, it tells the story of everyday lives in Britain and how the inside of people's homes reflects their stories and characters. Visitors can journey through four centuries of home life with room displays ranging from the 1630s to what a converted flat may look like in 2049. One exhibition in the Home Galleries shows a series of short films on how East London residents express their identities through what they keep in their homes, whether that's memorabilia, cultural and religious objects, heirlooms or items left behind by loved ones who have passed. Kid-friendly? Mini playhouse, family trails, reading lounge, sensory den, sensory bags 6. London Museum Docklands West India Quay Soak up 400 years of docklands history at this museum, set on the dockside in a retired sugar warehouse. It showcases the expansion of trade via water with ships bringing spices, tea and silk to Britain, as well as the navy's battle for trade and territory with its rivals. One of the most important exhibitions focuses on slavery in Britain and how London benefited from the profits of trafficking people from the African continent. The gallery displays stories from some of the people affected by slavery, as well as items such as the letters of Ignatius Sancho, a British abolitionist who was thought to have been born on a slave ship, and became one of the earliest known Black people to vote in a British general election. Its current exhibition, Secrets of the Thames, looks into how mudlarking has unearthed fascinating objects from London's past. Kid-friendly? Interactive play area, crafts, digging experience, family trail 7. British Museum Bloomsbury The British Museum's collection is regarded as one of the best in the world, with exhibitions covering over two million years of history across six continents, which famous artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone, ancient Egyptian objects, collections on African history and Anglo-Saxon hoards. However, it's important to note this museum has frequently faced criticism over its collections, much of which was looted during the height of the British Empire. The British Museum itself has a list of 'contested objects' that countries have asked to be returned, and also notes that parts of its collection are in the museum today due to 'conflict and colonial activity'. Kid-friendly? Kids can take on the 'Museum Mission' challenge or the 'Museum Explorer Trail' 8. Churchill War Rooms Westminster This museum allows the public to get a glimpse into how British officials determined their Second World War strategy within secret underground headquarters. Among the twisting corridors are the Cabinet War Rooms, where Winston Churchill and other officials worked, ate, and even spent the night during the war. The rooms include a transatlantic communication area disguised as a toilet, Churchill's underground suite, the BBC broadcasting and switchboard room and, most importantly, the map room where some of the most crucial war decisions were made. 9. Hauser & Wirth Mayfair Swiss contemporary and modern art group Hauser & Wirth's London gallery has two exhibition spaces with rotating displays, alongside artists' talks, film screenings and workshops. Its exhibitions often include art such as paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and video from contemporary artists. Its current display, 'No Time for Dispair' by Michaela Yearwood-Dan, explores how community and joy can be built through the visual language of paintings and other mediums. Kid-friendly? Families are welcome in both galleries, but ask that no one touches or climbs the artworks, and no food or drink is permitted 10. Design Museum Kensington Dedicated to contemporary design, the Kensington museum attracts many to its curated temporary exhibitions, such as the world of director Wes Anderson and the evolution of swimwear. 'Designer, Maker, User' is a free permanent exhibition which takes visitors on a trip through the evolution of modern design through these three roles. Almost 1,000 items from the 20th and 21st centuries – including road signs, the Tube map, Vespas, and Xbox controllers, plastic garden chairs and Ikea bags – are on display, each invoking how modern design has evolved throughout the years. Its summer exhibition 'More than Human' will explore how design could help animals, plants and other living beings thrive. Kid-friendly? An audio feature available through an app presents objects through the lens of a group of Year 1 children aged 5 and 6; design days and camps are also planned throughout the year 11. National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery Trafalgar Square The National Gallery is found in one of London's most famous plazas, Trafalgar Square, a fitting location to house the UK's collection of Western European paintings spanning over seven centuries. The gallery exhibits some of the world's most famous paintings, such as Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers, The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein and the Wilton Diptych. Don't forget to visit its sister gallery nearby, the National Portrait Gallery, for a curated look at portraits from past kings and queens to contemporary celebrities like Harry Styles and Marcus Rashford. Kid-friendly? Two spaces for self-guided activities, and eating a 'Canvas Quest' is also suitable for those aged seven and older, which takes children on a hide-and-seek game throughout the gallery 12. London Transport Museum Covent Garden Calling all trainspotters and transport enthusiasts: there are very few museums in the capital that can top a day out at the London Transport Museum. From omnibuses, trams and early railways to the world's first underground and the creation of the Tube lines, visitors can explore London's transportation history through retired heritage vehicles, photographs and displays on how London expanded as transport grew. An area of the museum is also dedicated to Transport for London posters, exploring how commercial art and design have evolved over the years. 13. Young V&A Bethnal Green The Young V&A is a museum dedicated to children, young people and families that displays childhood-related objects and historic artefacts in exhibitions suitable for kids to interact with and learn from. The three main galleries, Play, Imagine and Design, allow babies to discover colours, textures and shapes at eye-level height through their exhibitions, while older kids can learn about the collections on display. Kids can also explore their creativity in the performance space and workshop areas. Some of the most loved items on display include a doll's house collection, a life-size Joey the War Horse puppet, and the original Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve. Kid-friendly? Absolutely 14. Sir John Soane's Museum Holborn One of the most celebrated architects in the country, having designed the likes of the Bank of England, has had his house turned into a museum. Sir John Soane died in 1837, but his architectural legacy lives on within the museum as well as his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, models and paintings. Tours can be booked to delve deeper into Soane's Regency-era life with access to his private apartments. Kid-friendly? Family trail and workshops 15. Fashion and Textile Museum Bermondsey The Fashion and Textile Museum uses its entire space to host temporary exhibitions, rotating between different periods in history, topics and stories. Its past exhibitions have included Fashion Renegades of 80s London, displaying original garments and accessories from Leigh Bowery, as well as an installation on the history of fashion label Biba, from its boutique days to the use of its clothing on film. The museum's current exhibition explores how people have interacted with textiles from prehistory to the digital age. Kid-friendly? Museum explorer kits 16. Queer Britain King's Cross The first and only national LGBT+ museum in the UK, Queer Britain hosts a series of exhibitions exploring what it means to be queer through objects, images, voices and art from sectors such as activism, culture and social history. Currently on display is '20 Years of UK Black Pride', a curated exhibition that chronicles 20 years of activism and celebration of the world's largest celebration for LGBT+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent. Its permanent exhibition, 'We are Queer Britain', covers over 100 years of queer life, with items such as the historic Wolfenden Report (1957), which proposed decriminalising male homosexuality, the top hat worn by Suranne Jones in BBC's Gentleman Jack, and the museum's patron Elton John's handwritten letter to his younger self. Kid-friendly? The museum welcomes visitors of all ages 17. The William Morris Gallery Walthamstow The William Morris Gallery's main collection holds the world's largest collection of Morris' works as well as a history of his political activism, poems and a space inspired by Morris & Co. workshops. Among the exhibitions on display is 'Morris Mania', which looks at how his legacy has penetrated the modern day, from shower curtains to phone cases. For Morris devotees, a separate museum at the William Morris Society in Hammersmith may also be of interest, at Kelmscott House, where Morris once lived, which holds his original Albion printing press. Entry is £3.50 for the society museum. Price: Free Kid-friendly? Hands-on and interactive exhibits, 'Mini Morris' craft and play sessions and 'Morris Explorer satchels', including a sensory map and a story for during the visit 18. Tate Modern Bankside Found in the former Bankside Power Station on the River Thames, the Tate Modern is loved by children and adults alike. Its ongoing exhibition features artists' responses to mass media and technology, such as the monumental Babel by Cildo Meireles, a towering cylinder of radios each tuned into a different station. Other artworks touch on how society works, surrealist paintings, and the use of the body in art. The gallery also features works from world-renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein and Henri Matisse, to name a few. 19. Horniman Museum Forest Hill The Horniman Museum and Gardens aims to allow people to learn more about the world without leaving the country, a legacy left by Frederick Horniman, an MP for the Liberal Party and social reformer, who built the museum to 'bring the world to Forest Hill'. Among its thousands of items are musical instruments, textiles, religious and cultural objects, insect specimens and fossils, all collected from around the globe, which are on display, while live animals such as rabbits and alpacas can be found outside. Its extensive gardens also feature a pavilion, a prehistoric garden and a meadow. The large collection, however, was built on the back of the colonial wealth produced by the tea merchant Horniman Family, a history and context that the museum continues to work to shed light on. The Natural History Gallery is currently closed for redevelopment. Price: Free; the Aquarium, Butterfly House and Robot Zoo have a fee Kid-friendly? Family craft Saturdays, school workshops, and an all-around family-friendly day out 20. The Postal Museum Clerkenwell The Postal Museum is best known for its 'Mail Rail' ride: a small train that runs underground, which was initially designed to transport mail, but now carries visitors to tunnels deep below the sorting office for an audio-visual show about the railway's 1930s heyday. After a trip on the Mail Rail, visitors can gaze at exhibitions showcasing 500 years of postal history with hands-on exhibitions and objects such as the world's first adhesive stamps and retired postbuses.
