Some of Britain’s best museums have some top-class shops attached, selling all kinds of tempting things – here are a few of our favourites and our pick of their gift ideas…
Victoria & Albert Museum
The iconic V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance and its wide-ranging shop is inspired by the collections in the gallery, from fashion and jewellery to books and homeware.
Christian Dior (hardback), £40
Art Deco Leather Cross-body Bag, £135
Buy leather cross body bag from V&A
V&A Italian Hot Chocolate, £10
Buy Italian hot chocolate from V&A
Kilburn tote bag, £8.50
Silver Watch Cufflinks by Oli & J, £100
Buy silver watch cufflinks from V&A
Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy is a historic institution that champions art and artists and promotes the appreciation, understanding and practice of art. Its shop is full of gorgeous products to tempt arts lovers of all ages and tastes.
Gold Petal earrings, £100
Buy gold petal earrings from RA
Love Gloves Fless Blue, £40
Med Print Bob & Roberta, £15
Buy We Will Get Through This with Art print from RA
Bouquet of Birds puzzle, £17.99
Brooch Navy & White Dragonfly, £55
The British Museum
With a permanent collection of around eight million works, the contents of The British Museum covers huge swathes of human culture, history and geography. Members receive a 10 per cent discount from the shop, which is filled with great gift ideas…
Egyptian cat bookends, £30
Buy bookends from The British Museum
Shakespeare's Sonnets, £7.99
Buy Shakespeare's Sonnets from The British Museum
Rose gold Half Hunter pocketwatch, £250
Buy pocketwatch from The British Museum
Grayson Perry silk scarf, £80
Buy scarf from The British Museum
Angel Gabriel Stained Glass Roundel Large, £22.99
Buy stained glass roundel from The British Museum
Tate
The network of four galleries that make up the Tate house a vast collection of art, with a mission to ‘increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of British art from the 16th century to the present day and of international modern and contemporary art’. The books, prints and gifts in its shops reflect and support this aim and offer something for everyone.
Tate Desk Diary 2022, £12.95
Yayoi Kusama Love Forever set of two tea towels, £48
The Colours of St Ives poster, £12
Yayoi Kusama Late Night Chat is Filled With Dreams Mug Set, £52
Joan Miró Red Star ring, £45
The National Gallery
Its building is an instantly recognisable landmark of central London, presiding over Trafalgar Square. Inside, The National Gallery houses more than 2,300 paintings that date from medieval times to the 1900s, and its shop is a treasure trove of beautiful cards, gifts, accessories and more…
Van Brussel Flowers in a Vase cushion, £35
Buy Van Brussel Flowers cushion from The National Gallery
100 Great Paintings Book, £24.99
Buy paintings book from The National Gallery
The Water-Lily Pond Silk Tie, £35
Buy silk tie from The National Gallery
Orpheus Silk Scarf, £65
Buy silk scarf from The National Gallery
Portrait of a Lady deckchair, £140
Buy deckchair from The National Gallery
The National Trust
The renowned organisation for heritage conservation has a huge collection of properties under its charge, and its shops are always filled with tempting products, which can also be bought via its online store. Most items are inspired by heritage and the natural world, in keeping with the underlying ethos of the National Trust.
NT Wimpole Meadow Cotton and Hydrangea diffuser, £22
Buy diffuser from the National Trust
Blossom Charm necklace, £20
Buy necklace from the National Trust
Indoor windowsill flower bulb trio, £14
Buy flower bulb trio from the National Trust
Screenprinted bird brooch, £8
Buy brooch from the National Trust
Alex Monroe Acorn Branch earrings, £270
Buy earrings from the National Trust
Royal Opera House
Culture vultures and fans of the arts will love the Royal Opera House shop, which sells prints, homeware, clothing, gifts, accessories, toys and more – all inspired by the Opera House’s raisond'être: opera, ballet and performing arts.
Create Your Own Theatre, £12.50
Buy create your own theatre from the Royal Opera House
Auditorium notebook, £20
Buy notebook from the Royal Opera House
Insulated Copper Tumbler, £25
Buy tumbler from the Royal Opera House
Royal Ballet Lambswool Leg warmers, £58
Buy leg warmers from the Royal Opera House
Rigoletto scarf, £90
Buy scarf from the Royal Opera House
Design Museum
Dedicated to contemporary design in every form, the Design Museum is based in Kensington. Its collection, as well as its variety of events and exhibitions, invite visitors to experience and reflect on the impact of design, from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and industrial design.
Lightning pin badge, £6
Buy badge from the Design Museum
M37 PreciDrive Wristwatch, £325
Buy wristwatch from the Design Museum
Avocado Vase, £36
Buy avocado vase from the Design Museum
My Butter Knife Whittling Kit, £17
Buy whittling kit from the Design Museum
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Beautiful countryside, sculptures and interesting exhibitions, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is located a short distance from Wakefield. Their shop offers some lovely gifts, including homeware, artwork, puzzles and their own alcohol.
Rose brown cross stitch snood, £72.50
Buy rose brown cross stitch snood from Yorkshire Sculpture Park
David sock-knee socks by ChattyFeet, £8.50
Buy David sock-knee socks by ChattyFeet from Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Ed Kluz: Bella Vista screen print, £225
Buy Ed Kluz: Bella Vista screen print from Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park gin, £40
Buy gin from Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Angela Harding march owl jigsaw, £12.99
Buy Angela Harding march owl jigsaw from Yorkshire Sculpture Park
