This small London museum has been named best in Europe for 2026 – and it’s free
A small museum in London has been named the best in Europe, partly because of its inclusiveness towards children.
london gallery Young V&AA branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize due to the empowerment of younger generations.
The council’s award has been awarded for almost 50 years and is given to the museum judged to have contributed most to Europe’s understanding of cultural heritage, human rights and democracy.
The museum, which is free to enter, has the largest collection of childhood-related objects in the UK. Some of the favorite items on display include a dollhouse collection, a life-size Joey the War Horse puppet, and the original Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve.
In Play, Imagine and Design, three main galleries suitable for visitors of all ages, babies can explore colours, textures and shapes at eye level, while older children can learn about the collections on display.
It was elected by the Council of Europe Culture Committee at the meeting held on Tuesday, December 2. ParisIt was chosen for its balance between entertainment and education, exploring real-world themes such as sustainability and empathy.
Bethnal Green museum has been praised for making children feel at home, as well as actively involving children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Luz Martínez Seijo, representative of the Museum Prize Committee, declared that the Young V&A is an “exceptional” museum for the way it engages visitors with “themes of human rights, equality, participation and cultural democracy.”
“This conveys a strong message that younger generations, especially from impoverished regions with limited contact with mainstream and institutional cultural offerings, should be empowered with experiences that can help them embrace the future with confidence and participate fully in democratic societies,” he added.
Alongside the permanent collection, the Young V&A also hosts frequently anticipated “temporary exhibitions”.Wallace & Gromit and Friends” exhibition opens in February 2026It will delve into the world of Aardman’s stop motion animation.
Beyond exhibitions, children can also explore their creativity in performance areas and workshops.
The award will be presented to Young V&A at a special ceremony to be held in Strasbourg in April.
Recent winners of the award include Euskararen Etxea, House of the Basque Language in Bilbao, Spain (2025), Sybir Memorial Museum in Bialystok, Poland (2024) and Workers’ Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark (2023).
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