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Out & About in South Kensington

South Kensington has plenty of great attractions for you to visit outside from boating on the Serpentine, walking tours around Albertopolis, Queen Caroline's temple, the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, ice cream in Kensington Gardens, a trip to Princess Diana's Memorial Playground and so much more....

Serpentine Lido

Mid-May to mid-Sept
10am-6pm
The Royal Parks
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The Serpentine Lido is, arguably, London's most iconic 'open water' swimming location. The Lido is open for public swimming on weekends from mid-May, and every day between June and Mid-September.

London Design Festival - Placeholders

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Discover the enduring possibilities of reusing stone with this outdoor installation and documentary as part of London Design Festival. Historic, large and precious stone that previously made up the V&A building, now makes a comeback in the form of street furniture.

John Madejski Garden & Café

Daily
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Recharge and cool down in the heart of the V&A. A place for kids to paddle in the courtyard shallow pool or grab a drink while surrounded by summer planting and stunning Victorian architecture.

NHM's Urban Nature Gardens

Natural History Museum
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The Natural History Museum is set to transform five-acres of London gardens into the country’s urban nature ‘epicentre’ as national biodiversity programme is announced. Sir David Attenborough says the Urban Nature Project will allow young people to “fall in love with the nature on their doorsteps.”

Outdoor Activities for Kids

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Natural History Museum
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Fun, free things to do in a park, on the street, or anywhere outdoors.

Quiet and Scenic Walking Routes Around South Ken

South Ken
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If you’re planning your trip to South Kensington, why not take a look at our brand new walking map, created in collaboration with Footways. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.

Out Shopping: The dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910)

23rd March - 20th Oct
10am - 5.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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A curated selection of rarely-seen outfits, this exhibition will tell the story of Marion Sambourne and Maud Messel, at a moment in history that significantly shaped fashion.

Leighton and Landscape

16th Nov - 27th April 2025
10am - 5.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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This first major exhibition of Frederic Leighton’s work, following the reopening of the museum in October 2022, will focus on the artist’s production of small en plein air landscape sketches, created between 1850 up until his death in 1896.