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Some things to do today

A Future Podcast: Talking Culture

Online
Goethe-Institut
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Talking Culture is a platform for thought-provoking discussions about the future of Europe, the UK, and the world. In this edition, artist Natalie Taylor, architecture & design collective Urban Radicals and landscape architect Adam Harris talk together about their "SouthKenGreenTrail" installations.

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.

Imperial College Podcasts: The effects of climate change

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Imperial College London
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Imperial College's latest podcasts centre around climate change anxiety, quantum computing and climate injustice. Discover more about their priorities for the upcoming COP26 climate change summit.

London Design Festival - Placeholders

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Discover the enduring possibilities of reusing stone with this outdoor installation and documentary as part of London Design Festival. Historic, large and precious stone that previously made up the V&A building, now makes a comeback in the form of street furniture.

Serpentine Lido

Mid-May to mid-Sept
10am-6pm
The Royal Parks
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The Serpentine Lido is, arguably, London's most iconic 'open water' swimming location. The Lido is open for public swimming on weekends from mid-May, and every day between June and Mid-September.

The Serpentine Lido Cafe

Daily
The Royal Parks
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What better location to host a celebration this summer than overlooking the Serpentine in London’s largest Royal Park. Choose from a variety of hot and cold food options including a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Serves a selection of teas, specialty coffees and is licensed for alcohol.

Mission: Invertebrate

The Royal Parks
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Download Mission: Invertebrate's free activities and information sheets to see London’s green spaces in a whole new way. Whether you’re at home, in your local park or one of the incredible Royal Parks, these resources will help you and your family discover fascinating nature on your doorstep.

How to Make A Bee Hotel

Online
Natural History Museum
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This simple bee hotel will provide a home for a variety of solitary bees, including red mason bees and leafcutter bees.

Make a Balcony Allotment - Hanging Pots

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The Royal Parks
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Save floor space in your balcony or window allotment with these pretty hanging plant pot.

Planting for Pollinators

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The Royal Parks
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Whether you have a garden, porch or windowsill, find out how you can choose plants that not only look fabulous but are loved by invertebrates.

How To Make Seed Balls

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The Royal Parks
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Follow the Royal Park's guide to make your own seed balls. Add a pop of wildflower colour to your outdoor space and help pollinators at the same time!

Beetle-mania

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The Royal Parks
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Learn about insect body parts by looking at the uk’s largest invertebrate: the stag beetle! Rebuild the beetle by drawing its pieces in the correct places. Suitable for ages 5-11.

How to create a wildlife friendly garden

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Natural History Museum
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Seven simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden. The amount of wildlife on our doorsteps is astounding but is increasingly being lost to hard surfacing and paving. Wildlife needs a helping hand. and even small changes can help. Here are seven easy ways to make your garden a haven for wildlife.

How to press flowers

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Natural History Museum
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Why not embark on a craft project and decorate special cards for family and friends, create beautiful art, or make a collection of herbarium sheets recording the plants growing in your garden?

Magical mystery nature tour

Online and outside
Natural History Museum
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Boost your family's wellbeing with a magical mystery nature tour. Time in nature is essential for keeping us healthy and happy, even through winter's colder, darker months. Explore some of the key reasons why and venture out for some nature therapy.

Kensington Palace Sunken Garden

Wed - Sun
10am - 6pm
Kensington Palace
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Walk in the footsteps of royalty in the beautiful gardens of Kensington Palace. The historic Sunken Garden is resplendent with white and pastel flowers to provide a picturesque setting for a new statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, unveiled to commemorate her 60th birthday.

John Madejski Garden & Café

Daily
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Recharge and cool down in the heart of the V&A. A place for kids to paddle in the courtyard shallow pool or grab a drink while surrounded by summer planting and stunning Victorian architecture. Admission is free but book tickets online.

Power Pack: Climate Emergency

Online
Serpentine
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Created by Serpentine Artists-in-Residence Jacob V Joyce and Rudy Loewe, the pack features illustrations of BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/People of Colour) environmental campaigners from around the world alongside a series of creative prompts.

Climate Change Action Through Dance: Aziza Jaffer

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Ismaili Centre
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Aziza Jaffer is a Bollywood choreographer and dance instructor in Bujumbura, Burund, who teaches dance, and through dance hopes to create awareness of the consequences our actions have on the environment.

Royal Albert Hall Café Terrace

Open show days
Open from 9 am
Royal Albert Hall
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Soak up the sunshine and take in spectacular views of a London landmark. The Royal Albert Terrace is now open to all visitors during the day, and is the perfect place to relax with a coffee, beer or light bite from their Door 12 Café Bar. Walk-ins welcome.

Wild Crimes: A Natural History Museum podcast

Online
Natural History Museum
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Wildlife crime is one of the biggest illegal businesses in the world. In a Natural History Museum podcast, discover some of the most shocking, sensational and sinister crimes committed against the natural world, and hear from the people working to end them.

Design 1900-Now Gallery

Wednesday–Sunday, 10.00–17.45
V&A South Kensington
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A gallery exploring how design shapes how we live, work, travel, communicate and consume. The gallery includes Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinneir’s iconic British road signage system, Kim Kardashian’s Selfish book and Nike’s Nigeria football shirt for the 2018 World Cup.

Book Your Free Entrance Ticket to the Natural History Museum

Mon-Sun
10am–5:50pm
Natural History Museum
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Book your free timed entry ticket to the Natural History Museum and explore the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens.

Book your free entrance ticket to the Science Museum

Daily
10am-6pm (last admission 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Head to the Science Museum website to book your free admission tickets and explore their incredible galleries and exhibitions this summer.