Design Museum
Museum of product, fashion and graphic design in a former modernist building; the permanent collection is free.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Opening hours
- Mon–Thu 10:00–17:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–18:00
- Price
- Free (permanent collection); exhibitions ticketed
- Time needed
- 75 min
- Official website
- designmuseum.org/plan-your-visit
What to expect
The Design Museum moved to Kensington High Street in November 2016 from its former site in Shad Thames, into the former Commonwealth Institute, a 1960s Grade II* listed building. The design team led by John Pawson gave it about three times its previous space. Its hyperbolic paraboloid roof is the most striking feature.
The permanent display, Designer Maker User, fills the top floor under the roof and is free. It shows key objects from the collection. The largest ground-floor gallery and another gallery host temporary exhibitions on subjects such as architecture, fashion and product design, which are ticketed. There is a restaurant on the top floor. High Street Kensington is the nearest Tube station. Allow an hour for the free display alone.
Don't miss
- The hyperbolic paraboloid roof
- Designer Maker User permanent display
- Views up to the roof from the main staircase
- Temporary exhibitions on fashion and architecture
Tips for your visit
- Go straight up to the top floor to see the free collection first.
- Look up from the main staircase for the best view of the roof.
- Holland Park is behind the museum, a good place to walk afterwards.
Getting there from Trafalgar Square
🚇 15 min by Tube (line District / Circle: Westminster → South Kensington) · 6.2 km · 78 min walk
Where to eat nearby
- Dishoom Kensington (Indian · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 11 min walk
- Maggie Jones's (British · £££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 12 min walk
- The Churchill Arms (Asian · £ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 14 min walk
Breakfast nearby
No breakfast spot within a 15-minute walk. Have breakfast near your hotel or in the centre before you go.
Other sights nearby
- Kensington Palace · Landmark · 🚶 1.3 km · 17 min walk
- Diana Memorial Playground · Park · 🚶 1.7 km · 21 min walk
- Melt Chocolates (Notting Hill) · Shopping · 🚶 2.0 km · 25 min walk
Add Design Museum to your plan → Build a day around it with walking times and restaurants.