A museum in the UK has been recognized as the top museum in Europe. The Young V&A gallery in London, an extension of the Victoria and Albert Museum in West London, has been honored with the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize. This prestigious award, given for nearly 50 years, acknowledges the museum’s significant contribution to the appreciation of European cultural heritage, human rights, and democracy.
The Young V&A boasts engaging interactive exhibits such as the Spinning Sand Wheel, sensory play areas, costume corners, and popular toys like Pikachu and the classic Amstrad CPC 464 Computer. Its three main sections, Play, Imagine, and Design, cater to visitors of all ages, including infants with eye-level colors, textures, and shapes.
Reopened in 2023 after a three-year renovation, the Young V&A was chosen by the Council of Europe’s Culture Committee during a meeting in Paris on December 2. Judges praised its blend of fun and educational elements, addressing real-world topics like sustainability and empathy.
Starting in February, a new exhibition at the museum will explore the enchanting universe of Aardman at the Young V&A, featuring iconic characters such as Wallace & Gromit, Morph, Chicken Run, and Shaun The Sheep. With over 150 displays, including never-before-seen models and storyboards from Aardman’s archives, the exhibition will debut in February, coinciding with the studio’s 50th anniversary.
Titled “Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends,” the exhibition will be the third showcase at the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, East London, formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood. It will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into stop-motion animation, revealing the magic behind Aardman’s beloved characters. Interactive activities for children, like character design and live-action video creation, will also be featured.
Visitors can explore early character sketches, concept art, puppets, props, scripts, and set models from Aardman, as well as optical illusion toys and early stop-motion animation examples from the V&A’s collection. Noteworthy exhibits include development sketches for Morph, original character designs for Wallace, a hand-drawn storyboard from The Wrong Trousers, and unique items like the duo’s motorbike and sidecar from Vengeance Most Fowl.
Wallace & Gromit, created by Nick Park from Aardman Animations in Bristol, have received four Oscars and numerous Baftas. Alex Newson, chief curator at the Young V&A, highlighted Aardman’s grassroots beginning and continued artisanal approach, making their films endearing to audiences of all ages.
The showcase will run from February 12 to November 15 next year.
