January in London
A walk through ‘Albertopolis’
[Up to 4 hours excluding any refreshment stops
After the huge success of the Great Exhibition of Works of Industry of All Nations held in London’s Hyde Park in 1851, the area, now known as South Kensington, was purchased with the sizeable profits. Often referred to as ‘Albertopolis’ after Prince Albert, who oversaw the legacy committee, it soon began to fill up with museums, music halls, universities and much more to become one of the most important cultural quarters in Britain.
Over this experience you will walk from the Victoria & Albert Museum, the first ‘legacy museum’ through Exhibition Road, stopping to marvel at the buildings - constructed as exemplary works of art and learning - through to the pinnacle of Industrial Design; The Albert Memorial. This is one of our favourite walks as it encompasses museums, design, art, science and more!
The Victoria & Albert Museum
First established in 1852 in the wake of the Great Exhibition, the V&A, as it is affectionately known, is the UK’s national museum of the decorative arts. It’s founding principles were a ‘schoolroom for all’ and it never fails to impress and awe. The building was constructed as a work of art where the greatest craftsmen of the day, such as William Morris and Fredrick Lord Leighton, took inspiration from all over the world. As you come into the Main Entrance, marvel at the glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly with over 1200 hand blown fronds of glass. The V&A has the second largest collection of glass in the world, the largest collection of ceramics, the most important collection of Renaissance sculpture outside of Italy and much more. You can visit any number of galleries or enjoy one of the outstanding temporary exhibitions whilst you walk through the museum and out into the courtyard – make sure to visit the spectacular Refreshment Rooms for a restorative cup of tea!
After you have been sufficiently refreshed, leave the V&A by the Exhibition Road exit and turn right. Opposite you, you will see two of the other great museums on this site, The Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the Natural History Museum building was also created as an exemplar work of art. Constructed of terracotta, which he felt was more resistant to the harsh London climate, the pink and orange striped building is a cathedral to nature. One of the first directors of the museum was Richard Owen who first coined the term Dinosaur. Today the museum is a world class research facility which celebrates the Earth’s diversity and has over 80 million specimens in its collections. If you fancy popping in, head for the Great Hintze Hall and marvel at the displays of extinct versus endangered creatures, with the skeleton of the great Blue Whale suspended above, literally hanging in the balance.
Exhibition Road
The Royal Albert Hall & Albert Memorial
From here continue up Exhibition Road, turn left into Prince Consort Road and opposite the Royal College of Music – one of the world’s greatest music conservatoires first opened in 1883 – ascend the imposing stairs up to the Royal Albert Hall. Immediately in front of you is the statue of Prince Albert, after whom this great music hall is named. On the plinth upon which he stands are the names of all the benefactors of the Great Exhibition. As you walk around the rotunda of the Royal Albert Hall, take a moment to admire the building and especially the frieze, which is a glorification of the Arts and Sciences. First opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, it has been home to almost all the world’s great performers from Wagner to Adele – look our for their stars on the pavement below your feet. The restaurant Verdi is a wonderful place to stop for lunch but if you have any energy left, continue on to the final stop of the glorious Albert Memorial – constructed as a golden monument to Prince Albert and his vision for South Kensington to become one of the most important cultural quarters in the world…I think he would have been pleased with the accomplishments
To book this itinerary with one of our expert guides, please get in touch