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Design Museum Wins 2018 European Museum of the Year

The Design Museum wins 2018 European Museum of the Year and becomes the first British winner of the award since 2013 and only the sixth British winner in the award’s history.

Japan House London set to open 22nd June

Japan House will open to the public on 22 June 2018. It will be the new, London home for Japanese creativity and innovation providing authentic encounters with the very best in art, design, gastronomy, innovation and technology, allowing visitors a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture.

V&A to open new Photography Centre this October with commission by Thomas Ruff

The world’s first photographic experiments, pictures by 20th century greats, acquisitions by Linda McCartney gifted by Paul McCartney and his family, and newly commissioned works by Thomas Ruff, will go on display this autumn as part of the V&A’s new Photography Centre.

The Design Museum welcomes its one millionth visitor to new home

Success for The Design Museum as it reaches one million visitors, Ferrari: Under the Skin becomes the museum’s highest ever attended exhibition with 90,000 visitors to date and over 60,000 learners have visited the museum since it opened in Nov 2016

Studying in South Kensington - my favourite places

Discover South Kensington intern and Imperial College student Bridie Kennerley tells us about her favourite exhibitions, galleries and spaces around South Kensington.

Transformation of South Kensington Tube Station

Transport for London have confirmed plans to transform South Kensington Tube station, which will see the station upgraded and the surrounding land sensitively developed, reflecting its status as an iconic gateway to one of London’s most beloved cultural areas.

The Serpentine Pavilion 2018 announced

The Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, celebrated for dynamic projects that reactivate urban space, has been commissioned to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2018. She is the 18th and youngest architect yet to accept the invitation to design a temporary Pavilion on the Serpentine Gallery lawn in Kensington Gardens.

Jubilee - a celebration of music

Musicians will take the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall in June for an exceptional concert to honour the 60th anniversary of His Highness the Aga Khan’s accession to the leadership of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008-2018

Opening on 28th March, the latest exhibition at the Design Museum, Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 20018-2018, examines the political graphic design of a turbulent decade. 

Innovations at Imperial College London

Imperial College London has historically been the home of a huge amount of exciting and innovative scientific discoveries, and that legacy continues today. We’ve collected together a few of the university’s most exciting news stories from the last year.

What's On in 2018

2017 offered an exciting year for South Kensington, with a huge variety of new exhibitions and events, and 2018 is shaping up to be no less interesting. With so much going on, there really is something for everyone! 

Ognisko Polskie - The Polish Hearth

Ognisko Polskie (“The Polish Hearth”) is a unique institution in South Kensington and the UK. Founded in 1939-40 to maintain the cohesion of the free Polish Émigré community – following the Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland – it is one of the UK’s oldest Polish members’ clubs. Find out more.

The Natural History Museum commits to ending the sale of single use plastic water bottles

The Natural History Museum has announced its commitment to ending the sale of single use plastic water bottles on their sites in South Kensington and Tring, as they move towards a refillable culture at the Museum.

Record-breaking visitor numbers in the Design Museum’s opening year

The Design Museum celebrates the anniversary of its first year in Kensington with highest visitor numbers in its history. More than 780,000 visitors have attended the Design Museum since opening on 24 November 2016

Students visit South Kensington for Creative Quarter 2017

Once again, our annual schools event, Creative Quarter attracted hundreds of 13-19 year olds to a day of career insights and inspiration as South Kensington's cultural and educational organisations hosted a day of bookable and drop-in events.

Royal College of Music launches UK-wide virtual museum

5,000 years of musical heritage from 200 UK collections is brought together for the first time in a project led by Royal College of Music, with a major new website documenting 20,000 historically significant musical instruments.