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.

Wonderlab

Daily
10am - 5.30pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

At this interactive gallery, discover the beauty of the science and math that shape our everyday lives. This unmissable experience will ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination, and inspire you to see the world in new and exciting ways.

The River

26th July - 26th Jan 2025
10am - 4.30pm
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

This new sound installation by artist Jana Winderen in collaboration with sound specialist Tony Myatt explores the watery depths of the River Thames. It features captivating recordings from an underwater habitat that’s often inaccessible to our ears.

Versailles: Science and Splendour

12th Dec- 21st April 2025
10am-6pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

Discover how the Palace of Versailles used science as a tool of power in this illuminating new exhibition.

Image credit: ‘Rebirth’ Garments. Sandra Oviedo (a.k.a.) Colectivo Multipolar

Design and Disability

7th June 2025- 15th Feb 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Both a celebration and a call to action, this exhibition showcases the radical contributors of disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse people and communities to design history and contemporary culture.

Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture

2nd Oct- 16th Feb 2025
10am- 8pm
Japan House London
Map
Visit Website

Take a mouth-watering journey through the uniquely Japanese phenomenon of shokuhin sanpuru – the unexpectedly realistic food replicas displayed in front of restaurants across Japan.

Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance

14th Sept 2024- 4th Jan 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Marking 100 years since Gabrielle Enthoven founded the theatre and performance collection, explore an A–Z of themes to show how performance continues to entertain, provoke and inspire

Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst: The Call

4 October 2024 - 2 February 2025
10am - 6pm
Serpentine
Map
Visit Website

A collaboration between artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, and Serpentine Arts Technologies, The Call proposes new cultural, legal, and technical rituals for art in the age of AI.

Storytelling with Father Christmas

1st- 15th Dec
Various times
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

Father Christmas is coming to the Museum this December! Come along for a unique storytelling experience.

Inspiration Africa: Stories Beyond the Artefacts

Until 14 Dec
3:30pm-4:30pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Explore the V&A galleries through the lens of African Heritage. First and second Saturday of the month.

Christmas Lates

18th Dec
6:30pm-10pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

We’re decking the halls and getting in the Christmas spirit, so prepare to eat, drink, be merry and a whole lot more at the Science Museum’s first ever festive edition of Lates.

Image credit: Blooms_B6 — Criss Cross collection by Bethan Laura Wood, Italy, 2013

PLATFORM: Bethan Laura Wood

14th Feb- Jan 2026
10am-6pm
Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

Wood is a multi-disciplinary designer whose work is characterised by material investigation, artisan collaboration and a passion for colour, detail and decoration.

Image credit: Blooms_B6 — Criss Cross collection by Bethan Laura Wood, Italy, 2013

More Than Human

6 June – 5 October 2025
10am-6pm
Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

A major exhibition bringing together art, science and radical thinking to ask how design can help our planet thrive by shifting its focus beyond human needs.

Image credit: Blooms_B6 — Criss Cross collection by Bethan Laura Wood, Italy, 2013

Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style

28 March – 17 August 2025
10am-6pm
Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s

19 Sept 2025 — 29 March 2026
10am-6pm
Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

Delve into the music, fashion, and design stories that shaped Blitz – the club, the people, and the movement that transformed 1980s London style.

Wes Anderson: The Exhibition

21 Nov 2025 – 4 May 2026
10am-6pm
Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

The first retrospective exhibition of the work of film director Wes Anderson will follow the evolution of his films from his first experiments in the 90s, up to his recent, Oscar-winning frescoes.

Nature Study: Ecology and the Contemporary Photobook

Until 18th May 2025
10am-6pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Landscape, flora and fauna have inspired photographers since the camera’s earliest days. Contemporary artists continue to experiment with the format of the book to adapt to the pressing challenges of our environment today.

Speculations on Capture

4th Sept-23rd Feb 2025
10am -5:30pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Allahyari’s poetic film explores the stories of astronomical instruments made in Iran and Pakistan and now held at the V&A.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) + Talk

18th Dec
7:30pm-9:15pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

Join the Museum for a screening of the festive classic and find out whether the laws of physics could permit Scrooge to visit his Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Image credit: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

V&A trail: Christmas

V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Take the museums family trail to uncover Christmassy highlights in their collection.

Dr Esther Mahlangu: Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

4 Oct 2024 - 28 Sept 2025
Serpentine
Map
Visit Website

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu presents a new public art mural in the garden at Serpentine North. The work emphasises the importance of communities and unity among humans and other living species.

Christmas Quiz

17th Dec
7.30pm-10.00pm
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Map
Visit Website

Unleash your inner cartographer and embark on a journey of trivia that spans the continents. Teams of up to six are welcomed. Bring along your friends, family, or join forces with fellow quiz enthusiasts when you arrive.

Enchanted Bodies

6th Nov- 12th Dec
10am- 5pm
Imperial College London
Map
Visit Website

A group drawing, painting, photography and sculpture exhibition at Imperial's South Kensington Campus. Open and free to all at Imperial's Blyth Gallery.

Early Morning Relaxed View: A Visit to Japan

14th December
8.30am – 10.00am
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

The Japan Galleries will be open from 8.30am with a drop-in activity exploring kimonos found in the galleries, and a musical, sensory storytelling session.

Make it - season of fashion!

Until 14th Dec
Various times
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Join this hands-on, family-friendly workshops, inspired by the Museum’s collection and exhibitions. This season focuses on exploring textiles and fashion, through printmaking.