We begin our tour in the museum lobby, where a striking bust of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert welcomes us. Looking upward, you’ll see the spectacular Chihuly chandelier, a modern glass installation added in 2001 after a challenging installation process. As we move through the museum, you’ll notice that its collection continues to grow with contemporary pieces added regularly. We then make our way upstairs to the British Galleries, offering a glimpse into life during the Tudor and Stuart periods. Don’t miss the Great Bed of Ware—try guessing how many people could fit inside. Even after 500 years, it’s clear our ancestors shared a taste for comfort and grandeur. Passing the carved wooden Royal Beasts, we arrive at the impressive gallery displaying the Raphael Cartoons, the original designs for tapestries commissioned by Pope Leo X for the Sistine Chapel. Take your time to wander, explore the stories, and admire their remarkable scale.

We continue with the world’s most extensive collection of historical fashion, showcasing styles from the 17th century up to the 1960s. From here, we move into the Asian galleries. Your guide will time the visit so you can see the Ardabil Carpet fully illuminated, allowing you to appreciate its intricate craftsmanship. Nearby, we encounter Tipu’s Tiger—a life-sized wooden sculpture that is visually striking and uniquely mechanical, housing a built-in musical instrument. As we return upstairs, the atmosphere shifts. The large open halls give way to smaller galleries filled with silverware, jewellery, and a wide range of decorative arts, offering a more intimate and detailed view of the museum’s vast collection.