the home of science, arts and inspiration

What's On

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.

Knightsbridge Hotel

Knightsbridge Hotel
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Knightsbridge Hotel is located in a tree-lined street just a short walk to Harrods and the V&A Museum, Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. There are 44 individually designed bedrooms and suites, as well as a drawing room and library serving afternoon tea all day long. The hotel provides 24 hour room service.

La Médiathèque

Daily
Institut français
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This is the largest French library in the UK, and also contains the Bibliothèque Quentin Blake, which is full of exciting and educational materials for children up to 12.

Late Night Jazz: Take Five Showcase

21st Nov
7:30pm
Royal Albert Hall
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Part of EFG London Jazz Festival, enjoy an evening of music at the Royal Albert Hall from four musicians from the 2024 Take Five talent development programme.

Learning resources at the Science Museum

Online
Science Museum
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This site brings together learning resources from their four Museums, including activities, games and videos. Browse all the resources and discover activities to support a range of curriculum topics for use in the classroom, in museum galleries and beyond.

Leighton and Landscape

16th Nov - 27th April 2025
10am - 5.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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This first major exhibition of Frederic Leighton’s work, following the reopening of the museum in October 2022, will focus on the artist’s production of small en plein air landscape sketches, created between 1850 up until his death in 1896.

Leighton House Gift Shop

Online
Online
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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Leighton House museum's online shop has some of the best in contemporary design and artisan craft, their curated edit is inspired by the homes, work and collections of Frederic Leighton and Linley Sambourne.

Leslie Linder: Decoding Beatrix Potter

Until 15th Sept
10am - 5.30pm
V&A South Kensington
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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.

LGBTQIA+ Tours

Last Saturday every month
5pm - 6pm
V&A South Kensington
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Last Saturday of the month, except December. Join the V&A Volunteer Guides to explore gender and sexual identities through a selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus objects in the V&A’s rich and surprising collections.

Literary Haunts & Jaunts in the Park

Online
Kensington Gardens
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Explore the parks through the works of some famous writers - discover J M Barrie’s ultimate fancy, Peter Pan, walk in the steps of Virginia Woolf through Kensington Gardens, or visit the famous Speaker’s Corner, George Orwell’s ardent haunt.

London Design Festival 2024

Opens 14th Sept
Various Times
V&A South Kensington
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Experience how design can shape a space, bring people together and foster rituals, through a series of installations exploring global cultures across the V&A.

London's secret gardens

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
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A suggested route where you can enjoy a ride through some of London's hidden gardens and get a glimpse of some of the Parks including Hyde Park along your way.

Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration

opens 22nd January
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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One of the foremost British artists of the 20th century, Lucian Freud is best known for his figurative paintings, but he also made many etchings, often of the subjects and sitters featured in his painted works. A selection of these intricate and intimate prints will be on display at the V&A South Kensington in 2024.

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.

Make a Balcony Allotment - Hanging Pots

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

Make and Do at Home

Online
V&A South Kensington
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Whether you're into knitting, coding, or crafting your own furniture, the V&A has got a creative project for you. These fun, free resources and tutorials are all inspired by their incredible collections – bringing you a range of DIY makes to try at home.

Making the Modern World

Wednesday-Sunday
10am-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Chart 250 years of science and technology and discover some of the most iconic items that have shaped our society. The Making the Modern World gallery presents some of the Museum’s most remarkable objects.

Mammals

Daily
Natural History Museum
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Explore the rich diversity of mammals, from polar bears to pygmy shrews in the Mammals gallery. -

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Daily
10am-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Mathematics is too often perceived as dry and complex, but this new gallery will tell stories that place the subject at the heart of our lives, exploring how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped to shape the modern world.

May Half term Itinerary

25 May - 2nd June
Daily
Discover South Kensington
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Our museums, galleries and cultural spaces are excited to welcome you this May half-term. Packed with family favorites, workshops, new exhibitions, films, and more! There is something for everyone at South Ken this half term.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Daily
10-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Showcasing extraordinary medical artefacts including the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment.

Membership to Institut français

Institut français
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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!

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!

Metalworking Now

23rd March - 31st Dec
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Contemporary metalworking is a dynamic field and today’s metalsmiths continue a long tradition of experimentation in a range of metals to create exciting and innovative work. This display highlights a selection of work by metalsmiths from across the world that have been collected by the V&A since 2010.