Discover South Kensington - Discover South Kensington

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

In line with current Covid-19 restrictions, the cultural venues in South Kensington are closed to the public. Bookings are now open again so we hope to welcome you back soon. Meanwhile, we have lots to explore online.

top picks

Natural History Museum Reopens 17 May

The Natural History Museum is thrilled to announce that they are reopening on 17 May. General admission tickets will be available from 13.00 on Tuesday 13 April. To help keep everyone safe, a timed entry system is in place and only a limited number of people are allowed in the galleries, with a limited number of walk-up tickets.

Natural History Museum

Tickets from 13 April

Mon-Sun 10am-5:50pm

Science Museum Reopens 19 May

The Science Museum is reopening their doors on 19 May, Government guidance permitting. Head to their website to book your free admission tickets and explore their incredible galleries and exhibitions this summer.

Reopening Wed 19 May

Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (last admission 5:15pm)

V&A reopening 19 May

The V&A is reopening on 19 May. Book your free timed-entry and get ready to explore seven miles of galleries and a host of new exhibitions and displays in the world's leading museum of art, design and performance.

Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 5:45pm. Last admission 4:45pm.

Kensington Palace reopens 26 May

Explore the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in Victoria's re-imagined childhood rooms and the magnificent King's State Apartments.and Queen's State Apartments. There will be some changes to ensure visitors are safe, but Kensington Palace is confident everyone will have a great time!

Kensington Palace

Wednesday to Sunday

Calling Architects, Artists and Designers

Discover South Kensington with the London Festival of Architecture and V&A have launched a new competition for an innovative series of installations supporting biodiversity in South Kensington. Architects, landscape architects, artists and designers, including students and recent graduates, are invited to submit a design proposal that can demonstrate how plants, greenery and biodiversity can be creatively embedded in Exhibition Road’s public realm, reclaiming space for nature amidst the bustle of the capital.

Submission deadline Mon 10 May midday

Serpentine Galleries reopen 19 May

Serpentine’s doors will open again from 19 May with exhibitions from British-Ghanaian photographer James Barnor's Retrospective and New York-based painter Jennifer Packer's first institutional solo exhibition outside of the US. Visit the exhibition pages to book your free visit today.

Serpentine Galleries

Design Museum reopens 18 May

The Design Museum will be reopening on 18 May with the much awaited exhibition Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street. Pre-book your ticket and explore cutting edge design in the shape of Ai-Da, the world’s first convincing humanoid robot capable of creating artworks.

Design Museum Kensington

From Tuesday 18 May

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm

Beyond Words

From 17 May 2021, the Institut français reopens its doors and goes Beyond Words - onsite and online - with its festival of literature! It is largely thanks to literature that we have managed to get through this year confined to our rooms, where imagination was synonymous with escape. Now great literature is back in top form and in touch with current affairs. Commencing with BAFTA award-winning The Father with Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.

Institut français

Mon 17 May - Sun 23 May

Onsite & Online

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Explore Online

As our cultural venues start to reopen, we still have a fantastic assortment of online events and activities to keep you entertained. Here are some teasers to entice.

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!

Fun for Kids online

You don't have to go far to find fun things to do. Whatever you enjoy doing, we've got something that will inspire and excite you - music, science, arts, performance, film and loads more!

Workshops & Courses online

If you're looking for something to fire your imagination, stimulate your senses or simply a new interest - look no further than here!

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Prince Albert and The Great Exhibition

The story of South Kensington begins with the ‘Exhibition of the Works and Industry of all Nations’, otherwise known as the Great Exhibition, which took place opened on 1st May 1851. - 170 years ago. It was the brainchild of Prince Albert and his colleague Henry Cole. Read more.

Remembering HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

We were saddened to hear of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who has taken such an active and influential role here in London's home of science and arts. Here we remember just some of his visits and involvement with our South Kensington cultural and educational institutions.

COVID-19 - testing, vaccinations and research in South Kensington

South Kensington's cultural and educational venues support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with a vaccination centre, community testing centre and world-leading research. and planning tools. Find out more.

Covid Culture Shock – an online discussion

Covid Culture Shock, hosted by the Ismaili Centre London, brought together leading voices from South Kensington’s world-renowned art and science district to reflect on lessons from 2020, & how they will change the future for the culture sector.

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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