the home of science, arts and inspiration

Things To Do for Under £15

Indulge in a cultural extravaganza in South Kensington without emptying your wallet. Take a leisurely stroll through the stunning Royal Parks, soak up the buzzing atmosphere of South Kensington or immerse yourself in captivating exhibitions- all within your budget of £15 or less.

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.

The Raphael Court

Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A
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Rediscover the newly refurbished V&A’s Raphael Court - home to the iconic Raphael Cartoons. Commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X for the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, they depict the lives of the apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show

On til 30th Sept
Monday -Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 12 - 5pm
The Royal Society of Sculptors
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Explore a fabulous showcase of members' and fellows' work at Dora House. This year's theme is The Shape of Life, selected by guest curator Edward Bulmer.

Music Lates

19th Oct
6:30pm-10pm
Science Museum
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Music Lates is a celebration of Turn It Up: The power of music, a new blockbuster exhibition coming to the museum this autumn.

V&A jewellery collection

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A
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One of the finest collections of jewelry in the world - over 3,500 jewels, including pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I.

Open Water Swimming at the Serpentine Lide

Until September
10am-6pm
Hyde Park
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The Serpentine Lido is, arguably, London's most iconic 'open water' swimming location. In 2023, it will be open to the public until early September. Alongside the Serpentine Lido is the Lido Cafe Bar which has waterside tables and is the ideal place to enjoy a snack, meal or a glass of wine.

Hidden Treasures of the RCM Collections

6th June- 21st Jan 2024
10.15am-5.45pm
Royal College of Music
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Discover unique treasures from the RCM Museum and Library collections. Featuring long unseen artworks, historic manuscripts, and unusual and ingenious musical instruments, this exhibition shares rarely seen objects and stories hand-picked from the thousands of objects and stories.

Hop on a Santander bike

Santander Bikes
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Why not hop on a Santander bike and explore South Kensington - take a ride through the Parks, pass Kensington Palace, around the Serpentine and arrive at the Museums.

Free Events in South Ken

Daily
Discover South Kensington
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We have an abundance of free events in South Kensington for a great day out. From guided tours through the galleries, self-led walks, a new series of Lates events, free displays and miles of galleries covering art, science, design, natural history and so much more.

Engineers

From 23rd June
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?

Hidden Stories of Kensington Gardens

29th Sept
12pm-1:30pm
Kensington Gardens
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Discover hidden stories behind it's famous statues, including the beloved Peter Pan, and a statue thrown out of Trafalgar Square. Go behind the railings of the Albert Memorial and get a close-up view of the stunning Frieze of Parnassus.

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.

The Zizi Show

25th May- 20th April 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical problems which exist in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The display explores what AI can teach us about drag, and what drag can teach us about A.I.

Thomas J Price at the V&A

Until 27th May 2024
10am-6pm
V&A
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British artist Thomas J Price is celebrated for his arresting yet contemplative sculptures depicting everyday people. This display sets his work in dialogue with the V&A's historic collections.

Seeing Things Queerly

10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Follow this self-led trail to discover some of the objects on display at the Science Museum that tell stories of queer communities, experiences, and identities.

Quiet and Scenic Walking Routes Around South Ken

South Ken
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If you’re planning your trip to South Kensington, why not take a look at our brand new walking map, created in collaboration with Footways. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.

Young V&A

Opens 1st July
10am-5:30pm
V&A
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Get ready to spark your creativity at Young V&A – the museum where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design. From 1 July 2023, be inspired by spaces, explore our collection and get creative. Right now, keep in touch on social.

RGS Exhibitions

Monday to Friday
10am-5pm
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
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The Royal Geographical Society Pavilion has a constantly changing programme of displays that include exhibitions created by external organisations, broadly linked to geographical themes and also by selected sponsors of the Society.

Image credit: Naoya Hatakeyama, ‘Blast #5707’, 1998. © Naoya Hatakeyama

Photography Centre

Opens 25th May
V&A
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The Photography Centre is the UK’s largest space dedicated to a permanent photography collection. The newly reopened galleries will showcase the museum’s world-leading holdings and enable visitors to experience photography and its diverse histories in new ways.

The Polar Silk Road

From 26th May 2023
10am-6pm
Natural History Museum
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Discover the Arctic through the photography of Gregor Sailer and explore the existing, potential, and unexpected impact that warming temperatures will have in this once pristine region.

Shahrzad Ghaffari: Journey to Oneness

22nd April- 1st Oct
10am-5pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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The exhibition, with a curated selection of rarely seen works from the last fifteen years of Shahrzad’s career, revolves around the themes of love, spirituality and identity, ideas which also appear behind the creation of the mural.

Afternoon Coffee Club

20th Sept, 8th Nov, 13th Dec
1:30pm
Royal Albert Hall
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The Royal Albert Hall’s Afternoon Coffee Club is a series of relaxed live music performances ranging from smooth jazz to classical. Tickets are £5 and include tea/coffee and cake.

WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts

6th July- 22nd October
10am-8pm
Japan House London
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Explore the vibrant diversity of Japanese graphic arts in this bold exhibition which bridges the worlds of fine art, commercial illustration and counterculture.

Hidden Treasures of the RCM Collections

6th June- 21st Jan 2024
10.15am-5.45pm
Royal College of Music
Map
Visit Website

Discover unique treasures from the RCM Museum and Library collections. Featuring long unseen artworks, historic manuscripts, and unusual and ingenious musical instruments, this exhibition shares rarely seen objects and stories hand-picked from the thousands of objects and stories.