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October Half-Term in South Ken

South Kensington's museums, galleries and cultural spaces are excited to welcome you this October half-term. With something for everyone, find your niche in this handy guide! With animated films at the Institut français, clay modelling at Leighton House, and the Princess Diana Memorial Playground open all day find your activity to fill your days in South Ken.

Family Trails at the Science Museum

Science Museum
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Go on a journey of discovery and exploration around the Science Museum.

Power Up

10am - 5.30pm
Science Museum
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Immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming zone, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart.

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Daily
Varies
Science Museum
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Experience this fully immersive IMAX, on one of the biggest cinema screens in the UK. With an IMAX laser 4k projector and an IMAX 70mm film projector, this experience is great for all cinema lovers. Regularly showing are scientific documentaries and the latest blockbuster releases.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Spirit Collection

Daily
11am, 3pm
Natural History Museum
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Go behind the scenes with our knowledgeable science educators for a look at the Museum's fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit.

Dippy's Naturenauts

Natural History Museum
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Welcome, naturenauts! Are you ready for an adventure? Grab your phone or tablet to explore the nature on your doorstep.

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Online
Natural History Museum
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Fun, free things to do in a park, on the street, or anywhere outdoors.

Dinosaur Trail

Daily
Natural History Museum
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Are you big on museums, but short on time? NHM's knowledgeable visitor assistants have designed just the dinosaurs tour for you. It will introduce you to some of the Museum's most famous and imposing specimens. One hour

Pattern Pod

Daily
Science Museum
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Pattern Pod is an amazing multi-sensory area for children under 8 years old. Fun, interactive exhibits encourage them to recognise and copy patterns.

Go Jauntly Trail - The Story of South Kensington

South Kensington
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Have you ever wondered why South Ken has so many wonderful cultural institutions all in one place? Check out our Go Jauntly walking tour on the fascinating story of South Kensington!

Footways - exploring London on foot

Online Map
Footways
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Why not plan your visit to South Ken using the Footways walking map available at railway stations and online? You can plan your route away from the busy roads and discover a quiet and alternative side to London.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Daily
During winter/spring 6am-7:45pm
Kensington Gardens
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Explore and have a great adventure in the playground with a huge wooden pirate ship which is the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground.

Image credit: ‘Rebirth’ Garments. Sandra Oviedo (a.k.a.) Colectivo Multipolar

Design and Disability

7th June 2025- 15th Feb 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Both a celebration and a call to action, this exhibition showcases the radical contributors of disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse people and communities to design history and contemporary culture.

Dr Esther Mahlangu: Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

4 Oct 2024 - 28 Sept 2025
Serpentine
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Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu presents a new public art mural in the garden at Serpentine North. The work emphasises the importance of communities and unity among humans and other living species.

Cartier

12th April- 16th Nov 2025
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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A major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, charting the evolution of Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.

Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance

14th Sept 2024- 4th Jan 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Marking 100 years since Gabrielle Enthoven founded the theatre and performance collection, explore an A–Z of themes to show how performance continues to entertain, provoke and inspire

Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience

From 24th Oct
10am-5pm
Natural History Museum
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Equipped with a mixed reality headset, be transported a century into the future to explore what could lie ahead for the planet.

Image credit: Surrounded, 1996 © Tim Burton

The World of Tim Burton

25th Oct- 21st April 2025
10am - 6:00pm
Design Museum
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Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton in this major exhibition exploring his remarkable creations and key collaborations with designers.

Lauren Halsey: emajendat

11th Oct- 23rd Feb 2025
10am-6pm
Serpentine
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Last chance to see! In her work Halsey merges past, present and future via her interest in iconography connected to the African diaspora, Black and queer icons and architecture.

Image credit: 1959 Barbie No. 1 © Mattel, Inc.

Barbie®: The Exhibition

5th July - 23rd Feb 2025
10am - 5pm
Design Museum
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Last chance to see this exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects.

Image credit: Historic Royal Palaces / Alex Rory Jacobs

The Orangery Restaurant

Daily
10am - 6pm
Kensington Palace
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After major conservation work, the 18th-century Orangery at Kensington Palace has reopened its doors. Visit the iconic restaurant in a stunning setting for an elegant lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea.

Jameel Prize: Moving Images

Opens 30th Nov
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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In a series of intimate, immersive encounters spanning film, photography, animation, installation, sound, sculpture, and virtual reality, this exhibition will reflect the ways artists address questions of identity, community, and personal history.

Under the sea 3D (U)

Dates & Times vary
Science Museum
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Narrated by Jim Carrey and using incredible 3D technology, Under the Sea will leap off the screen and take you on a fascinating journey to discover the mysteries of the ocean floor.

Dino Snores for Kids

Various Dates
6:45pm - 10am
Natural History Museum
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Have you ever wanted to have a sleepover with a giraffe? Or spend the night camped beneath a blue whale? This unique sleepover gives kids aged 7 to 11 the chance to explore the Museum after dark while taking part in fun and educational activities.

The Sunken Garden

Wed - Sun
9.30-17.45
Kensington Palace
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The beautiful Sunken Garden was planted in 1908, transforming part of the gardens previously occupied by potting sheds into a tranquil ornamental garden. Today, the garden continues the tradition of rotational flower displays in the spring and summer.