the home of science, arts and inspiration

Some Things to Do This Weekend

Image credit: Versace dress El Mirage, © Herb Ritts Foundation.

Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection

On until 5th Jan 2025
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

An unparalleled selection of the world's leading photographers, telling the story of modern and contemporary photography. Discover iconic images across subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body.

Leslie Linder: Decoding Beatrix Potter

Until 15th Sept
10am - 5.30pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

On the 50th anniversary of Leslie Linder’s gift to the V&A, This display celebrates his unrivalled Beatrix Potter collection and shines a light on Linder’s contribution to our knowledge of the world-famous author and illustrator.

Family Trails at the Science Museum

Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

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

Young V&A

Opens 1st July
10am-5:30pm
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

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.

Energy: Sparks from the Collection

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

This display shines a light on the diverse kinds of energy in photography, from the hidden processes intrinsic to creating a picture, to the subjects in front of the camera.

Engineers

Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

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?

Turn it Up: The Power of Music

Until 1st Sept 2024
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

Just announced Turn It Up: The Power of Music has been extended through the summer! Don't miss this extra chance to explore this smash-hit exhibition and discover what is it about music that drives us to create, perform, feel, connect with others.

Power Up

10am - 5.30pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

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.

Gazette Brasserie

Mon & Tue: 5pm – 10.30pm Wed to Sun: 10am – 10.30pm
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Gazette Brasserie is the perfect venue for coffee meet-ups, quick lunches, pre-cinema drinks and nibbles or a cosy dinner at the Institut français in London.

Quiet walking routes to and around South Ken

Discover South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

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 Bar & Kitchen

Daily
8am - 6pm (Mon-Fri); 7pm on Sat & Sun
Hyde Park
Map
Visit Website

The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen serves a wide variety of tasty hot meals and snacks, freshly prepared sandwiches and salads, a daily selection of cakes from the bakery and hot and cold drinks from the bar. Enjoy the popular terrace area with sweeping views over the Serpentine.

Day Promming at the BBC Proms

19 July - 14 Sept
Various Times
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

Promming is an essential part of the character of the BBC Proms and a great British tradition and allows you to enjoy world-class performances for just £8! Promming tickets will be available online only at 10.30am on for most performances on the day of the event, with some exceptions.

Places to Eat

Daily
Varies
Various
Visit Website

If you are planning a day out in South Kensington, there are lots of delicious places to eat or enjoy a drink both inside and outside depending on the weather. From cafes, bars, afternoon tea to indoor picnic areas - there is plenty of choice!

Footways - exploring London on foot

Online Map
Footways
Visit Website

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.

Gem Strathmore Hotel

Daily
Gem Strathmore Hotel
Visit Website

The hotel is the former London residence of the Earl of Strathmore, the late Queen Mother’s father, is a restored Victorian mansion located close to London’s most famous museums, galleries, and cultural attractions. The magnificent colonial-style Earl's Restaurant is an exquisite blend of Victorian grandeur and contemporary luxury.

Royal College of Music Cafe

Mon - Sat (Sat - term time only)
8.30 am - 4.30pm
Royal College of Music
Map
Visit Website

The café serves barista-style coffees, sandwiches, snacks and hot food in spectacular surroundings. Enjoy your refreshments inside or out, with access to the new 1851 Courtyard and accompanied by the sounds of music across the College.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery

Daily
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

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,

V&A tours are back

Dates & times vary
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Discover the work of the V&A's conservation studios, or join a guided tour through their unique galleries. Members can also explore hidden places and historical sites in and around London, often inaccessible to the public.

Self-Guided Tours at the Natural History Museum

Daily
10am-5:50pm
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

Whether you're visiting for the first time or the fiftieth, these tours and free things to do, will take you through the best the Museum has to offer.

What you can do to help the planet: an illustrated guide

Online
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

The future of humanity depends on the natural world. But we are facing a planetary emergency. We're losing green spaces, animals and plants to deforestation, exploitation, urbanisation and global warming. But hope isn't lost. If we act together, we can make a  positive difference. Here's how to do your bit to protect nature.

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Daily
Varies
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

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.

The Royal College of Music Museum & Guided Tours

10:15am–5:45pm
Royal College of Music
Map
Visit Website

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.

Royal Geographical Society Membership

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Map
Visit Website

Spark inspiration and curiosity with a gift that lasts all year. Through a range of talks, exhibitions, events, magazines and resources, Society members can explore the incredible stories of our planet’s people, places and environments.

Membership to Institut français

Institut français
Map
Visit Website

A wonderful gift is a membership to the Institut français. Amongst their benefits are invitations to exclusive events, movies in their sumptuous Ciné Lumière, activities for younger members, access to their Art Deco listed library, superb food and drink and so much more!