Newly relocated to a cavernous landmark modernist building in Kensington, the Design Museum is where you’ll find the cool kids of current style and architecture waxing esoteric about their thought processes in themed exhibitions. The top floor balcony celebrates everyday objects (typeface, laptops) that have been designed well. In point of fact, it’s more of a gallery than a museum, appealing more to designers than to scholars. Everything is imbued with an awareness of how design can improve the lives of the less fortunate, a notion that’s at best Victorian and at worst condescending, and the curators occasionally appear to sell out to sponsors (a recent show rhapsodized about Cartier wristwatches), but the rewards may be richer if there’s a good temporary exhibition on. The shop has some interesting finds, as you might suspect.
London
Travel Guide
London› Attraction
The Design Museum
224–238 Kensington High St., W8
Our Rating
Hours
Daily 10am–6pm; last admission 5pm
Transportation
Tube: High St. Kensington
Phone
020/3862-5900
Prices
Permanent collection free, exhibitions charge £10–£16
Web site
The Design Museum
Map
224–238 Kensington High St., W8 LondonNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.