Victoria and Albert Enterprises Limited

As a Londoner presently wintering in Arizona wanted to share a real oasis we discovered in the V&A just before leaving for the States. A recently re-opened and restored area which were the original dining rooms when the Museum first opened. Three beautifully restored rooms which form part of the Level 1 Cafe area available for dining. The selection of food was quite extensive, well prepared and quite inexpensive by English standards! Pick out what you want at the different stations, pay for it, help yourself to chilled water and then pick which of the 3 rooms to enjoy it in.

Also, take the opportunity to visit the also newly opened Jewellery Gallery - its upscale, like walking into Tiffany's in New York!

This was a really interesting place. Although it is a museum of art and design, and I've been to plenty of those, I'm not sure that I've ever really been to something similar. It is such a huge museum that it would take ages to get through all the exhibits. I pretty much had a whole day so was only limited by my own endurance. I posted some more info and photos on my travel blog if you're interested: http://adams-travel-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/london-3.html

The V&A is great. Not only in dimensions - but as far as what you can see and explore. Art, objects, furniture from all sorts of places and periods. It is also partially a hands-on museum, which will especially appeal to kids (e.g. try on some costumes, create your own coat of arms etc.)), so do not miss the British Galleries.

Admission is free to the permanent exhibitions and access to the museum is via South Kensington tube station - it is also not very far from Harrods and Knightsbridge. There are two lovely cafés as well as a great shop and bookshop.