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The home of science, arts and inspiration
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Soak up Summer in South Ken ☀️
We're taking a short summer break – but before we go, we've picked out some top highlights to enjoy across South Kensington while the holidays are in full swing. Opening today, Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs at Japan House London explores the beauty and precision of creating a visual language or exploring the Science Museum's new free exhibition, Future of Food - there’s plenty to spark your curiosity, creativity, and love of the outdoors.
While you're out and about, why not explore South Ken on foot with our Footways map? It’s packed with hidden gems, quiet routes, and places to pause along the way.
Plus, don’t miss your chance to win the ultimate summer staycation, including a night at the Royal Garden Hotel and tickets to Kensington Palace’s glittering Dress Codes exhibition.
Wishing you a sunny, restful, and adventure-filled summer - we’ll be back soon!
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| WIN the ultimate Summer Staycation in Kensington |
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| We’ve teamed up with High Street Kensington to offer you the chance to win a luxurious overnight stay for two at the iconic Royal Garden Hotel, complete with breakfast. To top it off, you’ll also receive two tickets to Kensington Palace’s dazzling Dress Codes exhibition. |
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| Summer in South Ken |
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| This summer there is lots to do in South Kensington if you are looking for a great day out - from boating on the Serpentine, visiting a brand new exhibitions, enjoying a big-screen experience and so much more... |
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| Future of Food |
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Science Museum
24th July-4th Jan 2026 10am-6pm |
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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. |
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| More than Human Student Discount |
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Design Museum
11th July – 5th Oct 10am-5pm |
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| For the first time, the Design Museum is offering £5 tickets to students for the full run of More than Human, making this landmark exhibition accessible to as many young people as possible. |
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| BBC Proms 2025 |
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Royal Albert Hall
18th July-13th Sept Various times |
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| The BBC Proms is back for another summer of world leading orchestras, musicians and conductors. |
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| Serpentine Pavilion 2025 by Marina Tabassum |
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Serpentine
6th June - 26th Oct |
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| Enjoy the Serpentine Pavilion 2025, A Capsule in Time, designed by Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) - stop and enjoy the small cafe inside on your visit. |
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Image credit: Nippon Design Center
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| Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs |
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Japan House London
30th July-9th Nov 10am-8pm |
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| This brand new exhibition celebrates the beauty and precision inherent in Japanese design through the exploration of pictograms – both past and present – and their future potential for international communication. |
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| Kurt Cobain Unplugged |
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Royal College of Music
3rd June - 18th Nov 2025 11am-4pm |
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| Experience rock history up close – see Kurt Cobain’s legendary Martin guitar on display for the first time in Europe. Reunited with his famous green cardigan from the MTV Unplugged performance, this exhibition celebrates the enduring influence of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. |
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| Summer film night: exploration and adventure |
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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
30th July 7pm-9.45pm |
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| No plans this evening? Head along to the Royal Geographical Society for their Summer Film Night. Unwind and enjoy some escapism as you watch six short exploration and nature-themed films by today's finest outdoor filmmakers. Don't forget to grab a drink at the bar! |
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| Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots |
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Serpentine
On until 7th Sept |
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| Through a series of sculptures and installations, visitors will encounter the delicate yet powerful ways in which Penone reveals nature’s hidden structures, rhythms, and gestures. Free but booking recommended. |
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| Kensington Gardens Harvest Festival |
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Kensington Gardens
6th Sept 12pm-4pm |
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| After a warm and sunny summer, the allotments are bursting with colour, scents, and lots of tasty fruits and vegetables. So, lettuce celebrate! This event is free. |
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| Spider-Man: No Way Home in Concert |
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Royal Albert Hall
14th Nov 7:30pm |
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| Swing by the World Premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in Concert, and hear the film's iconic soundtrack performed live-to-picture for the first time ever. |
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| Discovery Days: Peter Pan |
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Hyde Park
12th-14th Aug 11am-3pm |
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| Drop in anytime between 11am-3pm to take part in a variety of free activities, including a pirate orienteering challenge, making your own nest boat and building a home for elves and fairies. |
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| Savages |
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Institut français
19th Jul - 31st Aug Various times |
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| After My Life as a Courgette, Claude Barras strikes again with Savages, a masterpiece of stop motion animation which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year. |
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| More than Human Symposium |
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Design Museum
13th Sept 11am-5pm |
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| Join designers, architects, artists and researchers in a symposium that explores our creative relationship to non-human life and our responsibility to design for animals, environments and landscapes. |
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| Diwali Story |
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Royal Albert Hall
4th Oct 7:30pm |
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| For the first time ever at this iconic venue, immerse yourself in the celebration of Diwali through a spectacular musical performance. |
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| The Golden Circle |
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Kensington Palace
31st Aug 10:45am - 3:30pm |
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| Join Kensington Palace for a number of captivating costumed performances. Find out what it took to enter the 'golden' inner circle of King George II and Queen Caroline. |
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| The Italian Gardens |
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Kensington Gardens
Daily |
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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. |
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| Boating on the Serpentine |
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Hyde Park
Daily except Nov- March (Wed - Sun) From 10am (closing times vary) |
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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. |
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| Summit Photo 2025 |
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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
26th Sept 9.30am-7.30pm |
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| Hear from world-renowned photographers, explorers, and policy experts at this unique event celebrating the power of photography. Talks, thought-provoking exhibitions and panel discussions will explore how photography can address today's urgent environmental and humanitarian challenges. |
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| Afternoon Tea and Tour |
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Natural History Museum
Various dates Various times |
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| Take a tour of the beautiful gardens and the highlights of the Museums collections before enjoying a nature-themed afternoon tea in the magnificent member’s room. |
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| Earth Photo 2025 |
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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
17th Jun 2025 - 20th Aug 10am-5pm |
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| Earth Photo is a free exhibition that addresses prescient issues affecting our planet, aiming to stimulate conversations about our environment and the impact of climate change. |
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| Prix Pictet 2025 – Storm |
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V&A South Kensington
26th Sept- 19th Oct 10am-6pm |
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| The theme for the 2025 prize is Storm. It invites reflections on the growing volatility of our age, forever poised on the brink of the next crisis. The 12 shortlisted photographers will have their work exhibited at the V&A’s Photography Centre. |
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Image credit: Andy Stagg 2023
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| Café & Restaurant: Friends Of Ours at Serpentine North |
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Serpentine
Tuesday - Sunday 8.30am - 4.30pm |
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| Enjoy brunch, lunch, coffee & drinks at our café and restaurant at Serpentine North. Friends Of Ours offer creative seasonal menus, locally sourced produce and friendly, relaxed service. |
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| Imperial College (Tuesdays) Farmers' Market |
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Imperial College London
Every Tuesday 9am-2pm |
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| Imperial College Lunch Market is open to everyone and is an oasis of calm for lunch; the menu is extensive everything from free range sausages to vegan dishes, noodles, katsu and authentic wood fired pizza. |
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Discover South Kensington is an initiative of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, a partnership of the cultural and educational organisations in and around Exhibition Road, South Kensington.
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Our partners include:
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The Design Museum
Goethe-Institut
Imperial College London
Institut franҫais
The Ismaili Centre
Kensington Palace
Natural History Museum
Royal Albert Hall
South Kensington Estates
Royal College of Art
Westminster City Council
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Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Royal Brompton Hospital
Royal College of Music
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
The Royal Parks
Serpentine Galleries
The Science Museum
V&A South Kensington
The Royal Society of Sculptors
Japan House London
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