So, we headed to the V&A Museum this weekend with our mate Aunty Kaka (a much cooler and slightly less mad version of Lady Gaga). Unlike the neighbouring Natural History Museum and Science Museum, the V&A feels like the decidedly kid-unfriendly fashion-ey sibling at first glance. There’s no stuffed ‘dinosaaaaaws’ or gargantuan blue whales lurking and any mad science-themed menu is replaced with soya lattes and gluten-free macarons. But we fancied a change of scene. Soz Dippy but there’s only so many times we can gawp at that faux skeletal frame.
And gosh was it a revelation. While the exhibits (its phallic Roman sculptures a go go) don’t have urchin appeal, the main event is the John Madejski Garden in the heart of this fashwan-savvy museum. Flanked by lawns and with Benugo coffee (and victoria sponge that will pep-up even the most knackered souls) within reach, the water is deep enough for kiddie splashing (bring wellies) and shallow enough not to present any fear of imminent drowning. In short, Aunty Kaka and I had a natter, a posh coffee while the urchin splashed merrily away. No idea what was going on inside the museum (other than the supposedly brilliant Alexander McQueen exhibition) but I’ll swap some fashwan intel for 30 minutes of London downtime. Sorry Dippy, it’s V&A all the way.
