The ultimate practical guide for those wishing to visit Dundee's new V&A Museum of design. Located in the regenerated Dundee Waterfront area, open daily from 10am-5pm with free entry. Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and built at a cost of £80 million. Exhibits include Scottish Design Galleries, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room and Touring Exhibition Galleries (Ocean Liners: Speed and Style until 24 Feb 2019). Full onsite facilities with cafe, restaurant, picnic room, accessible for all toilets and gift shop.
Dundee's V&A Museum has been 10 years in the planning and having now stepped through it's doors all I can say is WOW. It does indeed live up to all the hype and is well worth every penny of the £80 million construction cost. What an absolutely fantastic addition to Dundee, Scotland and indeed the world. It's now open to the general public (as of Monday 15th September 2018) and within this post I'm going to give you the ultimate practical guide to visiting V&A Dundee. I'll answer the where, what, why, when, how and provide you with the information you'll need to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I'm going to focus on the practicalities rather than the exhibits themselves. They are undoubtedly stunning and quite frankly speak for themselves, suffice to say you won't be disappointed.
What is V&A Dundee?
V&A Dundee is Scotland's first design museum and the first V&A museum in the world outside London. It presents the international importance of design alongside Scotland's outstanding design achievements through a combination of permanent and touring exhibitions.
What does V&A stand for?
Victoria and Albert. As in Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The original V&A has stood in South Kensington for more than 150 years and is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. In 1844 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Dundee. This was the first visit by a British monarch to Dundee since the 17th century.
Who designed the V&A Dundee?
Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma it is without question one of the most visually stunning public buildings to open in the UK in recent years. It's angular design is inspired by the dramatic cliffs along the east coast of Scotland. Jutting out over the River Tay it reconnects the city with it's historic waterfront. The geometric exterior of pre-cast grey concrete is contrasted by a light and bright wooden interior with the same dramatic lines. Kuma has described it as a 'living room for the city'.
Kengo Kuma is also designing the National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
How much did the V&A cost to build?
The cost of constructing V&A Dundee was £80.11 million. It took three and a half years to complete and stands at the centre of Dundee's £1million waterfront regeneration.
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| Kengo Kuma - Photo Credit Michael McGurk |
When does V&A Dundee open?
It's now officially open!
Doors opened to the general public for the first time on Monday 17th September 2018 at 10am.
Doors opened to the general public for the first time on Monday 17th September 2018 at 10am.
What are the Opening Hours of V&A Dundee?
10:00 - 17:00 daily (Closed on 25 and 26 December)
How much does it cost to visit V&A Dundee? Where can I buy tickets?
Entry to the permanent exhibition spaces is FREE with no tickets required.
A paid ticket is needed for certain events, activities and temporary exhibitions.
A paid ticket is needed for certain events, activities and temporary exhibitions.
Prices for the current exhibition Ocean Liners: Speed and Style are from £6 - £12.
Children under 5 go free and there are concessions available for seniors, students, Young Scots and children.
Booking ahead online gives you a £1 discount on each ticket
Annual Membership is available which enables unlimited access and 10% discount in V&A Dundee shops/cafe/restaurant
Children under 5 go free and there are concessions available for seniors, students, Young Scots and children.
Booking ahead online gives you a £1 discount on each ticket
Annual Membership is available which enables unlimited access and 10% discount in V&A Dundee shops/cafe/restaurant
How do I get to V&A Dundee?
It's impossible to miss the building as its location is right on the waterfront next to the Tay Road Bridge and RRS Discovery
Address 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, SCOTLAND
Telephone +44 (0) 1382 411 611
Car
There is currently NO ONSITE PARKING (except for disabled bays)
Over 5,500 spaces for Visitor parking in Dundee City Centre are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Over 5,500 spaces for Visitor parking in Dundee City Centre are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Coach drop-off points are located directly outside the building
Rail
The museum is located opposite Dundee Railway Station with access via pedestrian crossings.
Air
10 minute car journey from Dundee Airport with direct flights to London Stansted via Loganair.
What exhibits can I see at V&A Dundee?
Scottish Design Galleries
Featuring 300 exhibits drawn from the V&A's rich collection of Scottish design, as well as from museums and private collections.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room
At the heart of the museum is the meticulously restored, conserved and reconstructed Rennie Mackintosh tearoom which has been lost to view for nearly 50 years.
Touring Exhibition Galleries - Ocean Liners: Speed and Style
Two major exhibitions will be programmed each year and will comprise V&A touring exhibitions, exhibitions from international partner venues and V&A Dundee curated projects. The opening exhibitions is Ocean Liners: Speed and Style which runs until 24th February 2019 and showcases the promotion, engineering, interior design and lifestyle onboard the largest moving objects ever built.
Two major exhibitions will be programmed each year and will comprise V&A touring exhibitions, exhibitions from international partner venues and V&A Dundee curated projects. The opening exhibitions is Ocean Liners: Speed and Style which runs until 24th February 2019 and showcases the promotion, engineering, interior design and lifestyle onboard the largest moving objects ever built.
What Food & Drink is available at V&A Dundee?
- The Living Room Cafe - Level 0
- Picnic Room - Level 1
- Tatha Bar & Kitchen - Level 2
The Living Room Cafe
Located within the main hall on the ground floor the cafe is open seven days a week, during museum opening hours. It offers self service quick snacks, sweet treats and artisan coffee along with a children's menu.
Picnic Room
For those that many not wish/be able to use the cafe or restaurant for whatever reason a picnic room is available so you can bring along your own flask and packed lunch. This can be used on weekends, during the school holidays and at any other time when not in use by a pre-booked school party.
Tatha Bar & Kitchen
Tatha is Gaelic for the River Tay and is pronounced 'Ta-ha' (with ha as a short sound, more like huh)
With stunning views across the River Tay and an outside terrace, Tatha offers seasonal, locally-sourced dishes and drinks with table service. The menu is made up of brunchy/lunchy, sides, starters/sharers, mains and desserts. Good range of Vegetarain, Vegan and Gluten Free options available with additional dishes possible to be made so.
With stunning views across the River Tay and an outside terrace, Tatha offers seasonal, locally-sourced dishes and drinks with table service. The menu is made up of brunchy/lunchy, sides, starters/sharers, mains and desserts. Good range of Vegetarain, Vegan and Gluten Free options available with additional dishes possible to be made so.
Tatha is open seven days a week, during museum opening hours.
It will be open evenings Thursday to Sunday until late from 27th September 2018 onwards.
Daytime bookings are now available. Evening bookings are available from 27 September 2018 onwards.
How accessible is V&A Dundee?
The museum has been designed as an inclusive and accessible building, a place where everyone feels welcome.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are welcome
- Lifts are available to all floors and there is wheelchair access to all spaces
- Small mobility scooters are welcome inside the museum
- Changing Places fully accessible toilet
- Gender neutral toilets
- Grace's Sign for invisible disabilities
- Portable stools available to borrow for use in the gallery spaces
- Induction loops
- Quiet room available on request
- Disabled parking bays available outside the museum
- Breastfeeding welcome
- Babychanging facilities on all floors
- Children's menus in both café and restaurant
- Buggy Park (unmanned)
- Lockers (£1 non refundable)
- Water fountains
- BSL and touch tours for visually impaired and deaf visitors can be arranged
Are there any shops at V&A Dundee?
Oh yes! There's two and they are full of simply gorgeous things to suit all tastes and pockets.
V&A Shop - Level 0
Exhibition Shop - Level 2
Is there WiFi and charging points at V&A Dundee?
Yes. Free WiFi throughout and plenty of plug sockets to charge your devices.
Is there WiFi and charging points at V&A Dundee?
Yes. Free WiFi throughout and plenty of plug sockets to charge your devices.
What else is there to do in Dundee?
Lots! The V&A and redeveloped waterfront area is only the gateway to a thriving independent food and bar scene, culture, theatre, museums, parks, street art and more.
Firstly check out my blog post
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That looks like an incredible visitor experience! So much to see and do (and eat!) under one roof. I'll definitely be checking this out next time I'm south on the mainland!
ReplyDeleteI really want to collect the stamps! Love that picture of Kengo Kuma, what a dude. Great post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful space! Love love love the carrie architecture and the interiors, they really pop. Tatha doneso great too.
ReplyDeleteSuch an asset to Dundee, and to Scotland. Love how modern it is, a lovely contrast with the London V&A.
ReplyDeleteGreat post with loads of information thanks!
ReplyDelete