Design Museum

The easiest strong start on the list, because its permanent display, Designer Maker User, is free to enter with no booking. Almost 1,000 items of 20th and 21st century design cover everything from architecture and engineering to the digital world, fashion and graphics, so a first visit gives a quick map of the whole field. Since 2016 the museum has filled the former Commonwealth Institute building on Kensington High Street. The paid temporary exhibitions are where it takes bigger swings, so check what is on before deciding whether to make a whole afternoon of it.