the home of science, arts and inspiration
From the end of July to mid-October, South Kensington is coming alive with exciting new installations and a green trail for visitors. Pop-up nature hubs and installations created by architects, artists and garden designers will leave you buzzing with new ideas and inspiring visions for a greener future.
#SouthKenGreenTrail
Opposite the V&A, meander through a wildflower vertical meadow which connects the architecture of Exhibition Road to the depths of the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park through a hydroponic algae canopy. The Algae Meadow explores how we care for and enhance biodiversity in an urban setting through careful use of local resources, material and plant ecologies.
Outside the Science Museum, insects and people are connected with, a nest-like structure which is layered with medicinal plants creating a link with Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries at the Museum and providing a hive of discovery, education and biodiversity.
Just behind Exhibition Road in Prince's Gardens, artist Natalie Taylor’s bed of wildflowers spells out a call for more urban meadows and creates the perfect hub for buzzing insects. Commissioned by Goethe-Institut.
Escape the city bustle with a wander through a tranquil haven for plants, pondlife and insects. Home to thousands of British plants and animals, more than 3,300 species have been identified in the garden since it opened in 1995. Advanced booking to the Museum is recommended.
Outside the Serpentine South Gallery, Al-Maria' sculpture is inspired by a dandelion. Stand beneath and listen to the sounds activated by wind and movement.
These striking Augmented Reality (AR) creatures encourage you to reconsider your relationship with spiders – moving you from fear to protection. Two giant AR spiders lurk outside the Gallery and if you share a photo of a real spider or web, you will be able to interact with a third!
Walk in the footsteps of royalty in the beautiful gardens of Kensington Palace. The historic Sunken Garden is resplendent with white and pastel flowers to provide a picturesque setting for a new statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, unveiled to commemorate her 60th birthday.
Stop outside The Natural History Museum (past the Exhibition Road entrance) and see a small area of green space on Museum Lane transformed into a pollinator meadow as part of RBKC’s Bee Superhighway. See the flowers as they start to emerge and provide essential support for our city pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
As you walk up the steps towards the Hall’s new outdoor terrace café, take a look either side - new planting reflects the site’s Victorian history when the Royal Horticultural Society’s conservatory stood here. The café is open to all offering coffee, wine, beer or a light bite.
Formal avenues, magnificent trees, ornamental flower beds, and wildflower meadows outside Kensington Palace make this a stunning end to our trail as well as home to the Princess Diana Playground, the Italian Water Gardens and the Albert Memorial.
One of the greatest city parks in the world covering 142 hectares with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and further ornamental flower gardens, all here in the home of London’s arts and science district.
The borough is buzzing thanks to the Bee Superhighway which aims to protect and enhance habitats by increasing wildflower and pollinator-friendly planting throughout Kensington and Chelsea.
Recharge and cool down in the heart of the V&A. A place for kids to paddle in the courtyard shallow pool or grab a drink while surrounded by summer planting and stunning Victorian architecture. Admission is free but book tickets online.
Each fortnight, our newsletter is packed with things to do whether online or here in South Ken - there are so many places to explore, hidden gems to discover, experiences to enjoy, food to feast on and so much more.
From the end of July to mid-October, South Kensington is coming alive with exciting new installations and a green trail for visitors. Pop-up nature hubs and installations created by architects, artists and garden designers will leave you buzzing with new ideas and inspiring visions for a greener future.
As the UK prepares to host COP26, the venues here have a programme of thought-provoking and inspiring events and exhibitions exploring the road to a greener future.
As part of our South Ken Green Trail, we've pulled together some fun activities for all the family. Using your imagination and everyday objects around your home, explore new ways to recycle and save our planet. Find out how to create spaces for nature on your windowsill, balcony or garden.
South Kensington has plenty of great attractions for you to visit outside from boating on the Serpentine, walking tours around Albertopolis, Queen Caroline's temple, the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, ice cream in Kensington Gardens, a trip to Princess Diana's Memorial Playground and so much more....
Say the word meadow and it immediately conjures up images of distant lazy days, the smell of hay and wildflowers, the sizzle of summer heat and the sound of the wind and crickets in long grass. Meadows are often portrayed as a natural habitat but that’s not quite the case. Find out what makes a meadow and why they are so important or better yet learn how to create your very own wildflower meadow.
Spot The Wildian on Golborne Road - a planter inspired by the extravagant designs of Victorian terrariums. Part of RBKC's Bee Superhighway and the South Kensington Green Trail.
