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London for free - a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum

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I live east of London so don't often venture over far to the west where the main museum quarter is. However, yesterday I was meeting a friend for lunch in Kensington and decided to go to the jewellery gallery in the Victoria and Albert museum.
Kensington has some of London's best museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum - all of which are free to visit for all. It's definitely a great place to go for a day out, with Hyde Park just up the road - lots of free attractions in one spot!
I love the V&A and first had a wander around on the ground floor to look at the sculptures. I was particularly looking for the copy of Michaelangelo's David as we have a holiday booked in Florence soon and are going to be seeing the real thing! It really is amazing to see. To think it was carved from one single piece of marble.

 I then made my way up to the jewellery gallery, my main reason for being there. I had hoped to take some photos there to share with you but you can't take photos in that gallery. I have found a few online to show you what it is like though.

The gallery has so much jewellery it's hard to take all in in one visit with over 3000 pieces. The exhibits are themed by date and style and there are pieces that have been found on archaeological digs alongside contemporary designs. I got busy with my sketchbook, noting down names and sketching shapes.

 I loved this ring display of different gemstones. Between each of the arrows you have different examples of the same gemstone. Really beautiful examples of stones and rings.
It's a very inspiring museum to visit and I recommend you go if you are in London. I'll be back!

Where do you recommend people visit in your area? Let me know in the comments
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