the home of science, arts and inspiration

Some things to do today

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.

Women transforming South Kensington

Online
Great Exhibition Road Festival
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Hear from the key women shaping the future of South Kensington’s cultural sector in this panel discussion celebrating International Women’s Day. From starting a new urban nature movement at the Natural History Museum to a £40 million state of the art redevelopment of the Royal College of Music, join an all-female panel to discuss how women are re-shaping Albertopolis.

Explore the V&A Collections

Online
V&A South Kensington
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The V&A is launching Explore the Collections, a new digital platform that enables everyone from around the world to search, explore and discover over 1.2m objects from the museum’s collections.

Explore the Natural History Museum from your home

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Natural History Museum
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The Natural History Museum's virtual tour allows you to explore 14 exhibitions and access 300,000 specimens. Zoom in on the tiny details of the main hall's gilded ceiling or take a closer look at the marine reptiles discovered by Mary Anning. Enjoy a day at the Museum without even having to leave your home!

Science Museum Membership

Science Museum
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Treat the whole family to a Wonderlab's pass for a year’s worth of mind-blowing science. Fuel your child's imagination and give them the gift of wonder to the most spectacular interactive gallery in the world.

Membership to the Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum
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Be part of something big and become a Museum Member. Your support helps the Natural History Museum work for a future where people and planet thrive - and you'll enjoy colossal benefits!

V&A Gift Membership

V&A South Kensington
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We have five reasons to give a V&A Membership this Christmas - Free unlimited access to exhibitions - Priority booking for courses & talks - Exclusive access to the RIBA awarded Members’ Room, Subscription to the V&A Magazine, and weekly news & online exclusives. V&A Members also enjoy a special 10% discount on products courtesy of the V&A Shop.

Sign up to our fortnightly newsletter

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Discover South Kensington
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Each fortnight, our newsletter is packed with things to do whether online or here in South Ken - there are so many places to explore, hidden gems to discover, experiences to enjoy, food to feast on and so much more.

My Robot Mission AR

Free downloadable app
Science Museum
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Create your own robot and help it overcome future world problems with the Science Museum’s augmented reality app. The app combines a series of fun challenges and the latest AR technology to help you think like a scientist. Recommended for ages 10–12. Download for free.

Virtual Tour of the Science Museum

Online
Science Museum
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Making instant ice-cream is just one of the activities on the Science Museums website to try at home. You can also take a virtual tour via Google Streetview, let a curator guide you round the galleries, explore online exhibitions, play games and so much more.

Stocking filler treats from South Ken

Online
Discover South Kensington
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South Kensington's museums and galleries online shops are open and bursting with great ideas for presents. It’s a great way to support these charities. So put your feet up, relax and unwind with a little retail therapy!

Kensington Palace Shop

Kensington Palace
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Give a gift to remember with an exquisite selection of wonderful history-inspired gifts. Explore thei exclusive range of gifts, souvenirs, jewellery and homeware inspired by this royal home.

The Earthshot Prize

Online
Ismaili Centre
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The most prestigious global environment prize in history has been launched by Prince William with the Aga Khan Development Network as a Founding Partner. The Earthshot Prize aims to encourage large-scale change over the next 10 years — a critical decade for the Earth.

NHM's Urban Nature Gardens

Natural History Museum
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The Natural History Museum is set to transform five-acres of London gardens into the country’s urban nature ‘epicentre’ as national biodiversity programme is announced. Sir David Attenborough says the Urban Nature Project will allow young people to “fall in love with the nature on their doorsteps.”

Go back in time with My Dino Mission AR

Free downloadable app
Natural History Museum
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Combining the latest augmented reality technology with STEM skills, children can recognise a dinosaurs’ species, what it eats, likes and needs to survive. Young explorers can care for and capture fun photos of themselves interacting with their new dinosaur friend in the backdrop of their home or back garden. Age 7-10

Dawnosaurs Online: Minibeasts

Online
Natural History Museum
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Dawnosaurs Online is a set of free online activities aimed at children with neurodiverse conditions including autism and other sensory processing difficulties. Enjoy fun, educational resources, including a special visit to Ranger Stu's zoo

V&A trail: Explore as a family

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Are you ready to go on an adventure? This trail takes you on a journey through V&A galleries, exploring some of the incredible cultures and traditions you can see. You will discover objects that are hundreds of years old, uncover secret meanings behind animals and colour in art, and learn about some of the wonders of the museum, from an emperor's throne to dragons, from plaster casts to wigs!

Terrible Trades

Free Online
V&A South Kensington
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Becoming a master craftsman took years of hard work. Beginning as an apprentice you then became a journeyman, often travelling for miles around the country. Eventually, you might join a guild as a master craftsman. Can you become a master of your trade? Start the game as an apprentice and test your skills.

Get active: New cycle route and walking tour

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Footways
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Footways London map highlights quiet and characterful walking routes so you can explore Kensington at a different pace. The paper maps are available at some Central Network Rail stations or plan your quiet route via the new interactive map with geolocation

Image credit: © 3s Architects & Designers

A Taste of Germany

Daily
Stein's Berlin
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Combine a German film, language lesson or a visit to the library at the Goethe-Institut London with a visit to Stein’s Berlin restaurant. The restaurant offers a journey through all of Germany's kitchen in a well-designed contemporary and cosy atmosphere.

The Long Time Sessions

Free Online
Ongoing
Serpentine
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A fortnightly online talk series on cultivating care for the world beyond our lifetimes. It brings together leading thinkers and doers from art, culture, philosophy, science, technology, law, finance and politics to take a longer view. Speakers will explore how engaging with the long-term can change the way we act in the short term.

Get active: Take a stroll around 'Albertopolis'

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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
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Explore this cultural district and discover the history of the area with this free walking tour from Go Jauntly, curated by the Royal Geographical Society as part of the programme for Kensington + Chelsea Art Week.

Cromwell Place - what's on

Daily
Cromwell Place
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Set within five Grade II listed Victorian townhouses in South Kensington, Cromwell Place is one of London’s most exciting arts destinations, offering a year-round programme of diverse exhibitions open to the public across 15 gallery spaces. As a membership organisation and innovative arts hub, it also provides an environment in which galleries, collectors, dealers, curators, and arts professionals can collaborate and flourish together.