V&A East Storehouse
2 Parkes St, London E20 3AX
Daily: 10am – 6pm Thursday and Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Hackney Wick or Stratford stations 388 bus route stops outside.
1 - 1.5 hours
9+
FREE
About V&A East Storehouse
Calling all curious kids, culture vultures and future museum nerds. The brand-new V&A East Storehouse at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is basically a behind-the-scenes pass to one of the world’s greatest treasure troves – and yes, it’s completely free.
Got a budding curator or history buff in the family? They’ll love peering into glass-walled storage rooms packed with over 250,000 fascinating objects (plus 350,000 books!) – from Edwardian fashion and punk memorabilia to furniture and glittering jewellery.
Think of it as the V&A’s magical attic, open for exploring. You can watch conservators at work, take part in object-handling sessions, and – get this – even request objects to be brought out just for you. Smart, hands-on and effortlessly cool.
Top Tip from the KidRated team:
Wear comfy shoes (no heels!) and grab a coffee from the brilliant e5 café before you dive in – the building might look industrial, but the treasures inside are anything but.
Nope, just show up. That said, if the queue gets long (30+ mins), people who struggle to wait will be given priority.
It’s ideal for age 9+, especially tweens and teens who like design, fashion or quirky facts. Younger kids might enjoy a quick look around – just don’t expect to be there for hours.
It’s got an industrial vibe – glass walls, metal mesh walkways and people doing actual museum work. Super cool, but noisy and no-frills. Trainers over stilettos!
Everything from punk memorabilia and jewellery to Edwardian gowns, weird furniture, and design oddities, plus huge display walls you can wander along and gaze at.
Yes. You can see objects up close, join object-handling sessions, and even use the “Order an Object” system to request something specific. It’s like click-and-collect for museum geeks.
Very. There are lifts to all floors, wheelchairs, ear defenders, and even a Changing Places toilet with a hoist. Plus a quiet space on the ground floor.
Absolutely. Especially ones into design, art or culture. The building’s cool, the objects are fascinating, and they can explore at their own pace.
It’s in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – perfect for combining with a walk, playground or stop at V&A East Museum (coming soon!) or nearby cafes and shops.
Yes, the e5 Storehouse café serves proper coffee, cakes, sandwiches and salads. It’s open all day and stays late a couple of nights a week.
Give it 60–90 minutes if you’re with older kids or teens. Younger kids might max out after 30 minutes unless they’re mini museum obsessives.
You may also like
Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld Gallery, tucked inside the elegant Somerset House, is a hidden gem for families who want a bit of...
Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum is one of London’s hidden gems – and it’s perfect for curious kids and grown-ups who love...
Bat & Ball
If your kids are bouncing off the walls and your competitive streak needs an outlet, Bat and Ball in Covent...
National Gallery
Think art galleries are stuffy and serious? Think again. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is one of London’s best...
O2
The O2 isn’t just for concerts and comedy, it’s a massive indoor playground packed with family-friendly fun. Little ones can...
Have your say!
Leave your name, age (if under 18), review title, comment, star rating, and a parent or guardian’s email so we can verify permission.