Discover South Kensington - Discover South Kensington

the home of science, arts and inspiration

Discover amazing exhibitions, inspiring events and great places to eat

Welcome to London's home of science, arts and inspiration. Discovery is at the core of what happens here and there is so much to explore every day.

There are plenty of delicious places to eat or enjoy a drink here in South Kensington - from cafes, bars, afternoon tea, cocktails, bars or indoor picnic spots

Explore South Kensington on foot and discover the history of the area that connects London's home of arts and science.

The Great Exhibition Road Festival returns on 17 & 18 June - join us for a celebration of arts & science. Registrations are open.

top picks

Family Favourites at the Great Exhibition Road Festival

Come and take part in these free activities and enjoy an exciting festival weekend packed full of family fun!

Image credit: Holidaze, 2020, Norblack Norwhite; photo Bikramjit Bose

The Offbeat Sari

Today, the sari in urban India manifests as a site for design innovation, an expression of identity, and a crafted object carrying layers of cultural meanings. The exhibition will unravel the sari as a metaphor for the complex definitions of India today.

Design Museum Kensington

19th May- 17th September

The Polar Silk Road

Discover the Arctic through the photography of Gregor Sailer and explore the existing, potential, and unexpected impact that warming temperatures will have in this once pristine region.

Natural History Museum

From 26th May 2023

Serpentine Pavilion 2023 by Lina Ghotmeh

Serpentine Pavilion 2023: À table, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh, derives from the aspiration to create a sustainable kinship with the land through food and our primal relationship to the Earth.

June- October 2023

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Great Exhibitions

See an exhibition in our cultural & educational venues covering art, photography, design, music, history, science and so much more.

Free Events in South Kensington

From guided tours through the galleries, self-led walks, free displays and galleries covering art, science, design and more.

A night out in London

From DJs, films, late night exhibitions, concerts, inspiring talks, immersive performances, sleepovers, Lates, lectures - there is plenty to do here in the evening.

Summer in South Ken

Enjoy boating, exploring the Serpentine Pavilion, visiting a brand new exhibition, enjoying the Science Museum's IMAX cinema and so much more...

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Exhibition Road Cultural Group announces the appointment of a new director

The Exhibition Road Cultural Group is pleased to announce the appointment of its new director, Susie Newbery who will be joining this summer from the National Theatre.

Win 2x Tickets to Lana Del Rey at BST Hyde Park

Win 2x tickets to see the iconic Lana Del Rey at BST Hyde Park! The enchanting performance will close the 2023 series on Sunday 9 July, with special guests to be announced.

Win A Family Ticket to the Design Museum’s brand New Exhibition, The Offbeat Sari

Win a family ticket to see the Design Museum's brand new exhibition, the Offbeat Sari!

Win Lunch for Two at Brindisa & 2 Tickets to Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination

To celebrate the reopening of Brindisa South Kensington, we’re offering one lucky winner a meal for two together with a pair of Science Fiction: Voyage To the Edge of Imagination tickets!

eat, meet & stay

Places to eat

There are plenty of delicious places to eat or enjoy a drink here in South Kensington - from cafes, bars, afternoon tea, cocktails bars, indoor picnic spots to a weekly Farmer's market.

Places to meet

If you are looking to hire somewhere in South Kensington, London, whether it is for a conference, private party, meeting room, film location or wedding, there are some unique venues to consider. To make it easier to find, we have compiled a list of venues that are available in the area.

Places to stay

Our cluster of world-leading cultural & educational organisations makes this a unique place to stay - with the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, & the Royal Albert Hall all within walking distance of each other.

Our Story

South Ken ZEN+

South Ken ZEN+ is our collective response to the climate and biodiversity crisis. With the parallel aims of becoming a zero emissions (ZE) and nature positive (N+) neighbourhood, South Ken ZEN+ is an ambitious programme to accelerate action in response to the greatest challenge of our age.

The Great Exhibition Road Festival

Join us in South Kensington on 17-18 June 2023 to enjoy a weekend of free events for all ages celebrating how awe and wonder can inspire science and the arts. Sign up for the latest updates and to be the first to hear about popular talks, workshops and shows.

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 on foot

Explore a network of quiet walking routes to and around South Kensington

South Kensington Trails

To help you plan a great day out in South Kensington, we have created some trails for you to explore – from days out with the kids, discovering hidden gems, strolling through the parks, delving into the extraordinary museum collections 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)

The Ismaili Centre

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Westminster City Council

Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851

South Kensington Estates

The Royal Society of Sculptors

Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum

Royal College of Art

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