the home of science, arts and inspiration

The Student's South Kensington Bucket List

If you're looking for a low-budget, quick-plan day (or night) out, look no further! There's plenty for anyone on a budget, with mind-opening galleries, exhibitions and events to help you with your subject, broaden your perspective or just relax and enjoy a nice break from studying!

Atmosphere

Open Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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The Atmosphere gallery is an exciting place to make sense of the climate—the science of how it works, what it’s doing now and what it might do next. Uncover the secrets of ice cores and stalagmites, then head for the future to wonder at the latest ideas for a low-carbon life.

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.

Designer Maker User

Open daily
Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm; Fri-Sat 10am-9pm
Design Museum Kensington
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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.

Hintze Hall

Open Daily
Natural History Museum
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Walk beneath the largest animal on Earth and explore dozens of other exhibits representing 4.5 billion years of natural history in the gateway to the museum's collections and galleries.

Volcanoes & Earthquakes

Daily
Natural History Museum
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Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, interactive games and our famous earthquake simulator, explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live.

Tomorrow's World

Daily
10am-5:45pm
Science Museum
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How do today’s scientific discoveries shape tomorrow’s world? Get the scoop on the most surprising science stories and the biggest breakthroughs in the Tomorrow's World gallery.

Boating on the Serpentine

April-31st Oct
12pm- 8pm (July & Aug), 7pm (Sept)
Hyde Park
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Head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen to 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.

Fashion

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

Royal College of Music Programme

Royal College of Music
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Visit some of the mesmerizing events taking place this year at the Royal College of Music.

Registrations open for the Great Exhibition Road Festival

17 & 18 June
Great Exhibition Road Festival
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The Great Exhibition Road Festival returns to South Kensington! Register now to come along for a great weekend of free events for all ages celebrating how awe and wonder can spark innovation in science and the arts. Check out the first events we've released for a taste of what's on this summer.

Silent Disco at the Natural History Museum

28 Apr, 26 May, 30 June 2023
10pm - 1am
Natural History Museum
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Choose your side as three DJs do battle over separate wireless channels, playing the best in pop, rock and party classics. Don a headset and carry on the party into the night in the spectacular Hintze Hall.

The Royal College of Music Museum & Guided Tours

10:15am–5:45pm
Royal College of Music
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The Royal College of Music's Museum offers a unique opportunity to interact with over 500 years of musical history. Items include the world’s oldest guitar and earliest keyboard instrument with strings. Enjoy a tour of the Museum, led by their knowledgeable team on Wednesdays at 12:30pm.

Treasures

Open Daily
Natural History Museum
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Explore 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years of the Earth's history in this collection of some of the museum's most extraordinary specimens.. Each exhibit tells a remarkable story and has been chosen for its scientific, historical and cultural importance.

Tai Chi at the Museum

25th March, 22nd April
8:00am-9:15am
Natural History Museum
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Combine deep breathing and relaxation with slow and graceful movements with a unique Tai Chi class hosted in collaboration with Dao Lu C.I.C. Join the Museum bright and early for a Tai Chi class underneath Hope the blue whale followed by exclusive access to the galleries before it opens.

Fake Lates

29th March
6:30pm-10pm
Science Museum
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From conspiracy theories to deep fakes, cryptocurrency and NFTs, counterfeits to AI art. As our world becomes increasingly digital and feels less tangible where do we draw the line on what we consider real and fake? And how do we know who to trust?

Serpentine Swim

16th Sept (Register by August)
Hyde Park
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Fundraise for The Royal Parks charity by swimming in Hyde Park’s famous Serpentine Lake.

2023 Royal Parks Half Marathon

8th Oct (Register by August)
The Royal Parks
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Why not run and fundraise for The Royal Parks charity through the most scenic half marathon! This stunning 13.1 mile race takes place in the capital's world famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of the Royal Parks - Hyde Park, The Green Park, St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

17th-18th June 2023
South Kensington
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Join us in South Kensington on 17-18 June 2023 to celebrate the power of awe and wonder to spark innovation in science and the arts with a weekend of free events for all ages.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Daily
10-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
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.

Hintze Hall

Open Daily
Natural History Museum
Map
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Walk beneath the largest animal on Earth and explore dozens of other exhibits representing 4.5 billion years of natural history in the gateway to the museum's collections and galleries.

Footways - exploring London on foot

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

Africa Fashion

On til 16 April 23
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am – 10pm
V&A
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The V&A is staging its first Africa Fashion exhibition, which will be as eclectic and varied, diverse and dynamic as its people. It will tell a story of fashion as a self-defining art form; a kind of movement culture that goes beyond individual garments to encompass attitude, gesture, style.

Boating on the Serpentine

April-31st Oct
12pm- 8pm (July & Aug), 7pm (Sept)
Hyde Park
Map
Visit Website

Head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen to 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.

Kensington Gardens

Daily
Open from 6am
Kensington Gardens
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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.