V&A East Storehouse — Attraction in London

This is literally a storage house without things being boxed up. If you like random interesting artefacts like I do and find wandering round lots of galleries in a labyrinthine buildings tiring, then you might like this. The set up is a big, airy space with metal walkways and tough glass balustrades. You can easily see where you are, the exhibits, your companions who have walked off in different directions and whatever is beneath you. It is rather vertiginius, only feeling 'normal' on the stairs... Of course they've built it safely, yes, yes it is safe, repeat 'of course it's safe' ... I'd describe it as an alternative to B&Q meets IKEA for an immersive therapy experience. If you don't like heights but like stuff, then visiting may be helpful, as you'll be distracted as you walk along the scary bits. I strongly advise walking cross the glass floor. You'll feel pretty chuffed with yourself afterwards. Now for practicalities. It's a weird place to travel to because all that side of the park is pretty sterile-looking. However, the bus stop is right nearby, though I walked from Westfield and back. A bit of a trot but nice if you like a walk and have a map in hand. (I got one from the friendly information place but can't describe right now where that is) The entrance isn't obvious. It's small and low key. Just walk alongside the cafe - which a good meet up place in itself. Staff are very friendly and helpful and there are lockers to put your bags etc. Small bags/totes with your essentials in can go with you but no food or drink. I have a medical issue and was permitted to take my water with me and was provided with a pink tag on my bag to indicate that I'd been given permission. As it happened, it's so fresh and airy inside, I didn't...

We had been looking forward to visiting this site but unfortunately it was disappointing. It’s set out very higgledy piggledy, different eras and styles mixed together. It is just massive metal shelving with items slotted into spaces depending on their size. We were not made aware that WiFi is provided. If you go please ensure you login to their WiFi, the information for each item is a QR code and it is very unlikely that you will be able to access the QR information through your own data. Not being able to get the information did mean the exhibits were less interesting. There are some side sections, as in the photo, that show you how they work, this was ok. We were only in there about an hour, at least 15 mins of that was waiting for a locker to put all our items in, as you are only allowed to take phones into the exhibition area. Which makes you think you will be close to the items. You won’t be. They have a cafe but no shop. Worth a look but don’t plan your day around it, which was definitely the mistake we made, as we expected it to be more like the London version. In the future I will definitely be checking reviews beforehand for any new places I’m interested...

Great concept. Huge buzz around this place. If viewing racks of antiques and historical pieces is your thing then yes.. Go. The technology proporting to educate and describe some selected pieces was glitchy and slow loading. The number of items that could be described was limited and really didn't work well. The concept was OK. The execution was rubbish. Maybe things will improve over time - it has not been opened long. Don't go expecting a V&A type of experience, it really is a sanitised working warehouse. There were interesting areas - where, during the week, you could see restoration taking place from viewing galleries. Also some videos in place of 'live action'. Very good. Restaurant. Very good shop - no country does museum shops like the UK in my experience.... We will extract the maximum cash from you but you will enjoy the process. The V&A are experts at this. So in summary - great concept - worth trying to reach this random part of east London.. Worth it for the experience - oh and it...