from

$237

London
An image of tourists looking at. Raphael's Cartoons inside of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Victoria and Albert Museum Private Guided Tour with Raphael’s Cartoons

New TourPrivate Tour

Set the pace as you explore Tippoo’s Tiger, the Cast Courts, and the Fashion Gallery

New TourPrivate Tour

5.0

(3)

2 h

from$236.64

Base Price $203.00

+ $33.64/adults (18+)

reserve now, pay later logo

Born from the Great Exhibition of 1851, the V&A was built to teach Britain how to design. This privately guided tour turns its maze of galleries into a fascinating story, shaped around your interests. Walk from Raphael's Cartoons, painted as designs for the Sistine Chapel tapestries, to Tippoo's Tiger, a mechanical organ built for an Indian sultan, with a stop at the royal tiaras in the Jewellery Gallery. The Cast Courts, Fashion Gallery, and stained glass finish the route.

What's included

Included:

See a museum built to teach design

Included:

Expert English-speaking guide

Included:

Private guided tour

Included:

Timed entry to the V&A

Included:

See Raphael's Cartoons and Tippoo's Tiger

Included:

Visit the Fashion and Jewellery Galleries

Included:

Ponder the Cast Courts and Three Graces

Included:

Walk through the British and Stained Glass Galleries

Not included:

Guide tips

Itinerary

Private Victoria and Albert Museum Highlights Tour

Marvel at Raphael's Cartoons, historic fashion trends, and treasures of the Jewellery Gallery

Your tour begins at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Meet your private guide outside the Victoria and Albert Museum, with the exact spot on your voucher, and share what interests you most so the route is shaped around you. Head inside beneath Dale Chihuly's glass chandelier.

Admire full-scale casts in the Cast Courts

Two soaring halls hold full-scale plaster copies of Europe's great monuments, including Trajan's Column sliced in half to fit. Nearby stands Canova's Three Graces, a neoclassical marble of three dancing sisters.

Trace centuries of style in the Fashion Gallery

Court gowns, corsets, and designer pieces fill this circular gallery, arranged so you move forward in time as you walk. Expect sharp notes on tailoring, fabric, and how status shifted with each passing era.

Study dazzling pieces in the Jewellery Gallery

Low light and dark glass make the gems glow, from ancient gold collars to tiaras worn by European royalty. Your guide traces how cutting, setting, and design evolved, and which pieces are worth a second look.

Stand before Raphael's Cartoons and Tippoo's Tiger

Seven vast paintings by Raphael served as designs for tapestries in the Sistine Chapel, and they fill an entire hall. A short walk away, Tippoo's Tiger, an 18th-century mechanical organ, tells a darker story.

Explore British design and glowing stained glass

The British Galleries run from Tudor oak to Victorian ceramics, tracing 400 years of design at home. Then head to the upper floor, where backlit medieval and Renaissance panels glow in the Stained Glass Gallery.

Your tour ends at the Photography Gallery

Your guide leaves you inside the Photography Gallery, surrounded by prints and cameras spanning the history of the medium. Stay as long as you like, then wander back through any gallery that caught your eye.

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Meeting and drop-off point

You'll meet your private guide outside the main entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum on Cromwell Road in South Kensington. Check your voucher for the exact meeting spot and look for your guide holding a sign. Your tour ends inside the museum's Photography Gallery, where you're welcome to keep exploring on your own.

Important Details

Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.

Good to know:

  • Accessibility: As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be accommodated to be wheelchair or mobility accessible. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about your mobility.

  • Please note: The itinerary of a private tour can be adjusted to your needs. Please reach out if you do not see a start time that fits for your party. We would be happy to check with our ticketing team to see if we can accommodate you.

  • Dress Code: No dress code applies, though comfortable shoes are recommended for the hard gallery floors.

Your tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking private guide

  • Timed entry to the Victoria and Albert Museum

  • Private guided tour of the museum highlights

  • See Cast Courts, Fashion Gallery, and Jewellery Gallery

  • Poonder Raphael's Cartoons, Canova's Three Graces, and Tippoo's Tiger

  • British Galleries and Stained Glass Gallery

  • Itinerary paced and shaped around your interests

What to bring:

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Camera

  • Water bottle

See what people are saying

5

3 verified ratings

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3

4

0

3

0

2

0

1

0

Enjoy the V&A at your pace!

Erin S.

·

Verified Review

·

March 07, 2026

Chris was great! It was like our old friend Chris met us for an afternoon catch up where he talked about his favorite things at the V&A and we got to see where all of our favorite decorative arts pieces originated from. A delightful afternoon enhanced by the knowledge and affability of Chris!

Jan B.

·

Verified Review

·

August 25, 2025

Fashion Gallery was so cool!

Jessica G.

·

Verified Review

·

February 18, 2025

The Fashion Gallery was a journey through time! Seeing the evolution of style up close, with our guide's insights was super cool.

FAQs

Where to meet?

You'll meet your private guide outside the main entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum on Cromwell Road in South Kensington. Check your voucher for the exact meeting spot and look for your guide holding a sign. Your tour ends inside the museum's Photography Gallery, where you're welcome to keep exploring on your own.

Is this tour accessible?

The museum is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us with specific needs.

Can I take photos?

Photography is permitted in most galleries; flash is not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, the museum has engaging exhibits for all ages!

Are tickets to the museum included?

Yes, timed entry to the museum is included!

Can the tour be tailored to my interests?

Yes. The itinerary of a private tour can be adjusted to your needs, so tell your guide at the start what you'd most like to see. If you want a different start time than the ones listed, reach out and we'll check with our ticketing team.

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