Crowds mob free V&A

11 April 2012

More than double the usual number of visitors flooded into the Victoria and Albert museum on the first day of free admission.

At least 6,500 art lovers poured in as charges were abolished yesterday - the average daily total had previously been around 2,500.

A spokesperson for the V&A said: "Today's total more than doubles the number of visitors on an average day which is a remarkable increase and we are very optimistic for the future.

"The dropping of entrance charges is clearly proving to be very popular and we are hoping that this weekend's figures will be even better."

Californian Delia Heilig was reaching for her wallet to pay for herself and her friends when the security guard ushered her group in saying: "Don't worry about that. It's free."

This was clearly a welcome surprise as a huge grin spread across her face. Her friends were beaming too.

Ms Heilig's visit also conveniently coincided with the first day the new £31 million British Galleries opened to the public. The 15 refurbished galleries occupy two floors of the Kensington museum's south-west wing and house more than 3,000 pieces of British decorative arts.

According to the guidebook, the British Galleries "tell the story of what was hot and what was new from Henry VIII and the Tudors to William Morris and the Victorians". They were officially opened by Prince Charles on Tuesday.

Ms Heilig, a 46-year-old furniture and tableware designer, said: "We saw a picture in the New York Times showing one of the exhibits and this inspired us to make sure we visited while we were over here.

"But we had absolutely no idea there wouldn't be any admission charges. It's awesome to be able to get the opportunity to see such fantastic, such historically interesting, artefacts without having to pay a dime."

After a lengthy tour Ms Heilig said: "It was a real inspiration. I hope to go home and produce a replica of the Great Bed of Ware which was on show. I'm sure it will be very popular among my clients eager for a bit of English history in their homes."

Judging by the numbers who flooded through the doors, the Government's campaign to encourage tourists and Londoners to make the most of the capital following the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US seems to be working.

Most visitors had made the trip especially, after finding out they wouldn't have to pay. Ana Vrkljan, 27, from Holland Park, said: "My flatmate was very keen to come because she is unemployed and now the charges have been dropped it is perfect for her. It's a great idea as it will get more people through the doors. Old, well-established places like this really should be free to the public."

Samantha Carr and her two friends, Joanna Durham and Jane Parvin, all from the Clapham area, had been nicely surprised.

Miss Carr said: "We knew it was going to be free at some stage but had no idea that it was already. It's a great idea as it means you can just pop in at any time when you fancy an afternoon of culture."

Ms Durham added, however, that they had to pay £5 to see the Out Of Japan photographic show. "It was well worth it though," she decided.

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