the home of science, arts and inspiration

May Half Term

Our museums, galleries and cultural spaces are excited to welcome you this May half-term. Touch a piece of Mars at Natural History Museum, embark on an exciting free space trail, inspired by Disney & Pixar’s new film Elio at the Science Museum or enjoy the sunshine at the Royal Parks. There is something for everyone at South Ken this half term!

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.

The Natural History Museum Gardens

Daily
10am - 5.50pm
Natural History Museum
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Say hello to a full-size Diplodocus grazing in a Jurassic garden, come face-to-face with the earliest mammals and walk in the footsteps of our earliest ancestors. As you explore the grassland, wetland and woodland habitats, experience how nature can thrive in urban spaces. Booking not necessary.

Boating on the Serpentine

Daily except Nov- March (Wed - Sun)
From 10 am (closing times vary)
Hyde Park
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Hire a boat over the summer. Recognised as one of the most famous boating spots in London, Hyde Park is the perfect place to take in the scenery, enjoy an ice cream and float down the Serpentine in the middle of the park.

Quiet walking routes to and around South Ken

Discover South Kensington
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If you’re planning your trip to South Ken, take a look at our new walking map, created with Footways, where you can discover a range of wonderful routes to take a quiet stroll & discover our extraordinary history. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.

Serpentine Lido

Mid-May to mid-Sept
10am-6pm
The Royal Parks
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The Serpentine Lido is, arguably, London's most iconic 'open water' swimming location. The Lido is open for public swimming on weekends from mid-May, and every day between June and Mid-September.

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.

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.

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.

Family Trails at the Science Museum

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

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?

V&A trail: Explore as a family

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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This trail takes you on a journey through V&A galleries, exploring some of the incredible cultures and traditions you can see. You will discover objects that are hundreds of years old, uncover secret meanings behind animals and colour in art, and learn about some of the wonders of the museum, from an emperor's throne to dragons, from plaster casts to wigs!

Antarctica 3D (U)

Dates & times vary
Science Museum
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With never-before-seen footage and the latest underwater filming techniques, this documentary transports you to the farthest reaches of this majestic land and reveals that what happens there affects every single one of us.

A Beautiful Planet 3D (U)

Dates & times vary
Science Museum
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Experience Earth like never before in a breath-taking portrait of the planet on the biggest screen in Europe. See images of the Earth from the Space Station and gain a new understanding of how wonderful and unique our planet is.

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.

Ciné Lumière

Various
Institut français
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Showcasing the best of foreign film - it screens a mix of French, European and Global films - with subtitles.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery

Daily
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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Step into the fascinating world of technicians for a peek behind the scenes in the Science Museum's brand new interactive gallery. Experience what it’s like to create visual effects on a blockbuster film set or operate a robot in a manufacturer's workshop,

Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery

Daily
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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Discover how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably to limit climate change in the Science Museum’s new, free gallery. Energy Revolution looks at the past, present and future of sustainable energy and how we can achieve a low carbon world.

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.

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.

V&A Photography Centre

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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The Photography Centre at the V&A houses over 600 spellbinding photos including some of the oldest known photographs to modern masters. The Museum began acquiring photographs in 1852, and its collection is now one of the largest and most important in the world.

Country for Kids

17th May 2026
10 am
Royal Albert Hall
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As part of this year's Highway festivities, this family-friendly event will be presented by First Time Flyers in a relaxed environment for children to express themselves, with no expectation to stay still or be quiet. Country for Kids is recommended for ages 4-11 but babies and budding musicians of all ages are welcome!

Enchanted Creatures and How to Become One

26th May 2026
10.30 am, 1.30 pm
Royal Albert Hall
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Bring animated tales from around the world to life with a live score performed on hand-crafted instruments made by young people from the Wilderwoods education initiative, alongside contributions from four continents.

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art

28th Mar – 1 Nov 2026
10 am - 6 pm
V&A South Kensington
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The UK’s first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to today, celebrating the innovative designer's influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and its evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

Future of Food

Until 1 September 2026
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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A free exhibition examining how science can help us find more sustainable ways to grow and produce, purchase and cook, eat and enjoy food to help protect the planet.