8 of the best museum shops – Homes & Antiques

By Molly Malsom

Published: Friday, 03 December 2021 at 12:00 am

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.

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.

Artsy Cats 500-Piece Puzzle, £12.99

Buy artsy cats puzzle from RA

Love Gloves Fless Blue, £40

Buy love gloves from RA

Cosmos Mobile, £18

Buy cosmos mobile from RA

Candle Holder Blush Ceramic, £20

Buy candle holder from RA

Brooch Navy & White Dragonfly, £55

Buy dragonfly brooch from RA

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…

Magnifying Glass with Stand, £150

Buy magnifying glass from The British Museum

Chinese Calligraphy Set, £40

Buy Chinese calligraphy set from The British Museum

Rosetta Stone Notebook, £11.99

Buy Rosetta Stone notebook from The British Museum

Bastet Cat Soft Toy, £18.99

Buy cat toy 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

Buy desk diary from Tate

How the Stars Came to be Children’s Tote Bag, £15

Buy tote bag from Tate

Olafur Eliasson Little Sun Lamp, £30

Buy little sun lamp from Tate

Yayoi Kusama Late Night Chat is Filled With Dreams Mug Set, £52

Buy mug set from Tate

Joan Miró Gold Star Stud Earrings, £34

Buy gold stud earrings from Tate

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…

Illustrated National Gallery Advent Calendar, £8.50

Buy advent calendar from The National Gallery

100 Great Paintings Book, £24.99

Buy paintings book from The National Gallery

The Water-Lily Pong Silk Tie, £35

Buy silk tie from The National Gallery

Orpheus Silk Scarf, £65

Buy silk scarf from The National Gallery

The National Gallery Top Trumps, £5.99

Buy top trumps 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 Blue Spruce and Frosted Pine Fragranced Boxed Candle, £18

Buy scented candle from the National Trust

Felt Woodland Critter Decorations in Egg Box, £20

Buy decorations from the National Trust

Taste of Christmas Hamper, £40

Buy hamper from the National Trust

The Cottage Garden Den Kit, £45

Buy the cottage garden den kit from the National Trust

NT Recycled Woollen Rug, £20

Buy woollen rug 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 raison d’être: opera, ballet and performing arts.

Create Your Own Theatre, £12.50

Buy create your own theatre from the Royal Opera House

Penguin in Tutu Decoration, £8.95

Buy decoration 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

Musical Nutcracker Christmas Tree, £34.95

Buy musical nutcracker tree 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.