Discover South Kensington - Discover South Kensington

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

Discover amazing exhibitions, inspiring events and great places to eat

top picks

Food: Bigger than the plate

From gastronomic experiments to urban farming, this exhibition brings together the politics and pleasure of food to ask how the collective choices we make can lead to a more sustainable, just and delicious food future.

18th May - 20th Oct

Victoria: Woman and Crown

Explore Queen Victoria’s private life behind her carefully-managed public image in Victoria: Woman and Crown. The new display, created to mark the 200th anniversary of Victoria's birth, will re-examine how she balanced her role as a wife and mother with that of Queen of an expanding empire.

Kensington Palace

Victoria: A Royal Childhood

Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace. This new permanent exhibition will explore how an indulged young princess blossomed into the independent and iconic monarch we remember.

Kensington Palace

The Great Exhibition Road Festival

This summer join us for a weekend of curiosity, discovery and exploration, bringing together science and the arts. From drones to design, and from symphony orchestras to brass bands, get stuck into a unique programme of creative workshops, talks, exhibitions and performances.

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Music in South Kensington

For all music lovers, South Kensington has plenty to offer from masterclasses, percussion festivals, big bands, classical, world music, live orchestras, music for all the family and so much more.

May Half Term

There's lots to do in South Kensington this May half term, including amazing exhibitions, drop-in workshops, pop-up performances, space themed fun, storytelling, discovery days, music, great films and activities out in the sun too!

Great Exhibitions

Great exhibitions in South Kensington, London. Experience the design and culture of video games, see extraordinary art, marvel at stunning wildlife photography, explore life in the dark, discover how homes are changing and so much more.

Fun for the Kids

Explore and experiment - interactive activities for families - music, science, arts, performance, film, parks, playgrounds, simulators and so much more here in South Kensington.

Tours and Talks

Enjoy a talk, join a debate, take yourself on a tour or book into one of the guided tours in South Kensington.

A trip to the movies

Enjoy a trip to the movies in South Kensington from blockbusters, live orchestras, film festivals, IMAX screens to Sunday classics. There is something for everyone.

A night out in London

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

Hidden Treasures

Whether you're visiting South Kensington for the first time, or you've visited a hundred times, here's a list of some of the best, but least well-known, exhibits, galleries, and places.

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Win afternoon tea and tickets to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Win two tickets to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum together with afternoon tea with champagne at the beautiful Number Sixteen Hotel in South Kensington.

Win 4 tickets to see Cinderella at the Royal Albert Hall

Win 4 tickets to see Cinderella which is a truly spectacular ballet at the Royal Albert Hall brought to life with over 90 dancers, a live orchestra, and plenty of surprises. Performed by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Celebrating Victoria & Albert's bicentenary

To commemorate the 200th year since Queen Victoria & Prince Albert’s birth we have created a special trail for visitors to South Kensington. Here we explore how the royal couple left their mark on the area.

A new exhibition marks the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth

A new exhibition and re-presented visitor route will open on 24th May 2019 at the birthplace of the Victorian era in Kensington Palace.

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

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

working together

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.

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

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