Discover South Kensington - Discover South Kensington

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Discover South Kensington is an initiative of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group

South Kensington's museums and cultural venues are open with Covid safety measures in place. With exhibitions, films, classes, places to eat and our free museums there is something for everyone. You just need to book before you come.

top picks

Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery

Revealing the beauty of the science and maths that shape our everyday lives, this unmissable experience will ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination and inspire you to see the world around you in new and exciting ways.

Where's Wally? The Big Museum Search!

This half-term join the spooktacular hunt for Wally. The V&A is taking part in the Spooky Museum Search to celebrate the launch of the new book "Spooky Spotlight Search". Head over, pick up an activity sheet and get started on finding Wally to win a special prize.

24–25 October | 28 Oct-1 Nov

Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers

Explore 'how electronic music rewired the world'. A bespoke audio history has been mixed for the show by French DJ Laurent Garnier where lighting and video have been synced to an entrancing CORE light installation by 1024 architecture. Take your own wired headphones to experience an amazing club-like environment.

Design Museum Kensington

Until 14 Feb 2021

Mon-Thurs & Sun 10am-6:30pm Fri & Sat 10am-9pm

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is now open. Explore the world's best nature photography exhibited on 100 light panels. Go deeper and discover the surprising - and often challenging - stories behind the images during a time of environmental crisis. The exhibition is expected to sell out at weekends, so book in advance to guarantee entry.

Natural History Museum

16 Oct 2020 - 6 June 2021

Mon- Sun 10am-5:50pm

Image credit: © Yoda Hiroshi

Design for Man’s Best Friend

Internationally acclaimed ‘Architecture for Dogs’ features 16 works by globally-renowned architects, all designed with pooches in mind. Culture and dog lovers alike can explore the pieces, which include a bulb-lit vanity mirror for Poodles, a fluffy cloud-like structure for a Bichon Frise to match its fur, and a seesawing kennel for playful Beagles. Small dogs on leads welcome, with interactive pieces too.

Japan House London

Until 10 January 2021

Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm; Fri-Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 12noon-6pm

Café Tangerine Is Open!

Café Tangerine - the French restaurant with a British twist has reopened! Enjoy a glass of wine, a mini quiche or a sausage-roll before a screening – or just pop in if you’re in the neighbourhood to grab a sandwich, a brioche, some delicious cake or a coffee to go!

Institut français

Wed & Sat 2pm-7pm | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 3pm-7pm

Brass, Steel and Fire

Discover the beauty of locomotive engineering and journey through 100 years of model-making at the Science Museum’s free exhibition. Brass, Steel and Fire highlights the great age of experimentation when vicars, lace makers and engineers breathed life into hissing, steaming miniature locomotives.

22 Oct - 3 May 2021

Wed-Sun 10am-6pm

Films for Kids at Ciné Lumière

During half-term, families can embark on a magical adventure with the Fête de l’Animation in full swing at Ciné Lumière. From animation films The Prince’s Voyage to Shooom’s Odyssey, the most anticipated releases The Elfkins and The Secret Garden.

Institut français

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Online Events and Resources

Whilst the cultural and educational venues in South Kensington physically close their doors in the face of the Coronavirus, there are plenty of online events and resources that are available meantime. Here is a sample of some of them.

October Half Term in South Kensington

October half term in South Kensington has lots of great events for all the family from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, quirky designs for man's best friend, a working steam engine, Where's Wally and much more. And if you're stuck at home, don't miss out, we've got a great selection of things to do online.

Tours & Talks online

Hop online for a personal tour or join a live talk - and all within the reach of your fingertips.

A Night In!

Staying in is the new going out and there won't be enough hours in the night to watch all the things we have for you!

Great Exhibitions

Great exhibitions in South Kensington, London. Experience life on mars, see extraordinary art, marvel at stunning wildlife photography, follow the evolution of cars, the magical world of Tim Walker and so much more.

October Half Term online

If you're stuck at home this October half term, we've pulled together a fantastic selection of things to see and do online, from Wildlife Photographer of the Year, designing your own wig, making a banjo to a spooky quiz for the family and a special Fright Night Lates for Halloween.

South Kensington for Schools online

A huge variety of information online for educators from the cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington's, including events, workshops and resources, allowing you to plan the best school trip ever or bring a bit of the magic into your own classroom!

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Humanities@70 at Imperial College London

2020 marks the 70th anniversary of humanities at Imperial. Throughout the year Imperial will be celebrating with a year-long programme of events that will explore the rich and diverse history of humanities at the College, and showcase the wide variety of activities taking place today.

Secrets of the Museum - a new BBC series

In this new, unique arts series Secrets of the Museum on BBC Two, viewers will be invited into a hidden world: behind the scenes at the world famous museum of art, design and performance, the V&A. Starts 6th Feb, 8pm.

Creative Quarter 2019 - inspiring students into creative careers

On 22nd November students from around the UK attended our annual Creative Quarter day which aimed to inspire students to explore creative industries and find out about creative careers through a series of talks, workshops and tours in the cultural and educational venues of South Kensington.

Innovative new arts space, Cromwell Place Opens 10 October

Cromwell Place, South Kensington’s highly anticipated flexible arts space, has recently announced that it will officially open its doors in autumn 2020 following five years in development.

Our Story

About Us

Discover South Kensington is an initiative of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group which brings together the leading cultural and educational organisations to promote innovation and learning. South Kensington is the home of science, arts and inspiration.

South Kensington Timeline

South Kensington has a rich history associated with royalty, arts and sciences. Sometimes known as Albertopolis, London's original cultural quarter is a legacy of the Great Exhibition of 1851 organised by Prince Albert. Find out more about our history through our timeline.

Working Together

We work together to promote and develop innovation and learning in arts and science and make this a great place to visit, work, live and study today and for generations to come.

find your way

Take a tour

One of the best ways to see South Kensington is to explore some of the amazing cultural venues within walking distance from each other. We have put together some suggested itineraries for you to explore – themed around art, science, royal connections, great days out with the kids, exploring the museums and so much more.

Our members

Natural History Museum

Royal Albert Hall

Imperial College London

Royal College of Music

Goethe-Institut

Institut français

Kensington Palace

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Serpentine Galleries

The Ismaili Centre

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851

South Kensington Estates

The Royal Society of Sculptors

Leighton House Museum

Royal College of Art

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