V&A Dog Memorials
the museum's hidden dog tributes
Two little-known tributes hidden in the V&A's courtyard to a pair of much-loved dogs connected with the museum.
Free to visit · South Kensington · South Kensington · SW7 2RL
Opening: Courtyard open during museum hours
Among the grandeur of the Victoria and Albert Museum, with its world-famous collections, hide two small and easily missed tributes to a more humble subject, dogs. Tucked in and around the museum's central courtyard garden are little memorials to beloved canine companions linked to the institution over the years.
They are the sort of tender, overlooked detail that makes exploring a great museum for free so rewarding, proof that even the most monumental places have a soft and personal side. It is free to seek them out, a gentle treasure hunt in one of London's loveliest free courtyards, perfect for a pause between galleries.
Getting there: In the John Madejski Garden courtyard at the V&A, South Kensington.
Best time to go: A dry day to enjoy the courtyard garden as you hunt for them.
Insider tip: Take a slow loop of the John Madejski Garden courtyard and look low, near walls and corners, to spot the small canine tributes. It is a lovely free spot to rest anyway, with a shallow pool children love in summer.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide