The story of South Kensington begins with the ‘Exhibition of the Works and Industry of all Nations’, otherwise known as the Great Exhibition, which took place opened on 1st May 1851. - 170 years ago. It was the brainchild of Prince Albert and his colleague Henry Cole. Read more.
170 years ago this month, Prince Albert's sat down in Osbourne House and created his vision for an arts and science district in South Kensington which led to the purchase of 87 acres of land which was an area of orchards, nurseries and market gardens.
Image credit: © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library.
South Kensington, a hub of innovation and culture in London, has a rich history filled with groundbreaking achievements.
We are delighted to welcome to our partnership of leading education and cultural organisations, international arts hub and membership organisation, Cromwell Place,
To commemorate the 200th year since Queen Victoria & Prince Albert’s birth we have created a special trail for visitors to South Kensington. Here we explore how the royal couple left their mark on the area.
The unveiling of the Royal Albert Hall Stars – each featuring an engraved stone topped off with a brass star – are dedicated to key players in the building’s history, from its opening in 1871 to the present day.
Music Day took place on Exhibition Road between 2005 and 2012 in partnership with our Exhibition Road Cultural Group members and as part of the renowned international festival Fête de la Musique.
Supersonix was an international celebration (Jan-June 2012) of the art and science of sound in all its complexity, taking place in London’s cultural heartland, Exhibition Road
On 15th December 2015, we hosted a special launch day and evening event with the UK Space Agency in collaboration with Discover South Kensington and its partners.
Martin Roth, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum on the Victorian vision that created South Kensington's world-class campus for arts and science, and why ‘Albertopolis’ is as relevant and forward looking as the day it was conceived.
The remains of a 165-year-old toilet from the world famous exhibition which helped coin the phrase ‘spend a penny’ have been uncovered in London’s Hyde Park.