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South Kensington in a lunchtime

If you want to spend your lunchtime learning new things, waking up your mind or getting inspired, there's plenty to do in South Kensington. Take a walk through Hyde Park, learn from exhibitions at the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, or wander through galleries at the V&A, Design Museum or Serpentine Galleries.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Daily
10 am - 6 pm
Science Museum
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Showcasing extraordinary medical artefacts including the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment.

V&A Photography Centre

Daily
Mon to Sun: 10 am - 5.45 pm; Fri: 10 am – 10 pm
V&A South Kensington
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The Photography Centre showcases over 600 captivating images, from some of the oldest known photographs to modern masters, forming one of the world’s most significant collections since 1852.

Designer Maker User

Open daily
10am– 5pm Mon to Thurs, 10am – 6pm Friday to Sun
Design Museum
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Designer Maker User, the Design Museum's only permanent exhibition, features almost 1000 items of twentieth and twenty-first century design viewed through the angles of the designer, manufacturer and user, including a crowdsourced wall.

The Italian Gardens

Daily
Kensington Gardens
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The Italian Gardens is a 150-year-old ornamental water garden located on the north side of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate. It is believed to have been created as a gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria.

Making the Modern World

Wednesday-Sunday
10am-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Chart 250 years of science and technology and discover some of the most iconic items that have shaped our society. The Making the Modern World gallery presents some of the Museum’s most remarkable objects.

Who Am I?

Open Daily
Science Museum
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Explore the science of who you are through intriguing objects, provocative artworks and hands-on exhibits. Discover what your voice sounds like as a member of the opposite sex, morph your face to see what you’ll look like as you age, or collect DNA to catch a criminal.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Daily
10 am - 6 pm
Science Museum
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Mathematics is too often perceived as dry and complex, but this new gallery will tell stories that place the subject at the heart of our lives, exploring how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped to shape the modern world.

Blyth Gallery

Monday to Friday
10 am - 5 pm
Imperial College London
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The Blyth Gallery, curated by Mindy Lee, is an artist-run space for ambitious visual projects. Exhibitions include Imperial College students and staff shows, postgraduate Fine Art student work and work by visiting professional artists.

Fashion

Daily
V&A South Kensington
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Spanning five centuries, the Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dresses in the world.

Princess Diana Memorial fountain

Daily
Hyde Park
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A unique fountain memorial to Princess Diana designed to reflect her spirit of life and love of children.

Lunchtime Lecture: William Morris: Pattern Revolutionary

26th Mar 2026
1 pm - 2 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Delving into the V&A’s extraordinary collection of designs, papers and textiles, this talk will explore the story of Morris’s passion for pattern and its relevance for today. This event is part of the free lunchtime lecture series. No booking is required.

Royal Albert Hall Tours

Daily
Various times
Royal Albert Hall
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Step inside a landmark like no other. Together with a friendly guide, take a peek at the royal areas of the Hall.

Highlights of the V&A

Daily
10.30 am, 1 pm, 2 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Join one of our volunteer guides on this tour and discover the origins of the museum while learning about the fascinating treasures held in the V&A’s extensive collections.

Tour: Fashion - Dress and Style

Until 31st Dec 2026
12.30 - 1.15 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Join volunteer guides and discover the fascinating garments and fashion-related objects that help shape the V&A’s rich collection.

Designing the V&A - The Story of our Museum

Until 31st Dec 2026
11.30 am - 12.15 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Join V&A volunteer guides for an architectural tour of their South Kensington building, which will take you through the history and setting of their collections.

Lasting Impressions: Women Printmakers 1900 – Now

Closes 27th Sept 2026
Mon to Sun: 10 am - 5.45 pm; Fri: 10 am – 10 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Celebrate the innovative printmaking techniques and bold visions of 25 women printmakers from 1900 – Now. From Käthe Kollwitz to Faith Ringgold, explore the work of artists who have used print to make their own lasting impression. This event is free!

American Photographs

Until 16th May 2027
10 am - 6 pm
V&A South Kensington
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Their collection of photography from the United States – one of the largest outside North America – reveals the breadth of the country's photographic traditions and the central role of image-making in American life.

The Natural History Museum Gardens

Daily
10 am - 5.50 pm
Natural History Museum
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Meet a full-size Diplodocus, encounter early mammals, and follow our ancestors’ footsteps. Explore grassland, wetland, and woodland habitats, and see how nature thrives in cities. No booking needed.

The Great Exhibition Augmented Reality Experience

Online
Hyde Park
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Visit Hyde Park, where the 1851 Great Exhibition was held. Download the free app to see a true-to-size recreation of the Crystal Palace. Explore the site, admire the building's scale and details, and learn about its fascinating history.

Engineers

Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Engineers shape the world that we live in, creating bold, ground-breaking innovations that respond to global challenges and improve billions of lives. But how much do we know about the people behind these innovations?

Power Up

Daily
10 am - 5.30 pm
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.

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.