Design Museum

Located on the banks of the Thames, the Design Museum has two floors and showcases contemporary design in all forms, including fashion, graphic and architectural. There are two main galleries, and the collections trace the history of design developments, from the origins of mass production to contemporary works. This was the first museum in the world to focus on the exhibition of mass-produced items and today boasts a celebrated collection of everyday objects from the 20th and 21st centuries. While the items allow visitors to reminisce about the past, the Design Museum also provides an opportunity to examine innovative prototypes for the future. The objects relate to engineering, technology, furniture, fashion and architecture. Housed in a 1950s building re-designed by the Conran Group, the museum lies just downriver of Butler's Wharf and the old spice-importing warehouses. And, if you start to get peckish during your visit, the Blue Print Cafe on the first floor overlooking the river is a bit of a treat.