Discover an unforgettable day in South Kensington with our guide to free events. Delve into guided tours through galleries, embark on self-led walks, immerse yourself in our new series of Lates events, explore captivating free displays, and journey through miles of galleries showcasing art, science, design, natural history, and beyond.
Meet a full-size Diplodocus, encounter early mammals, and follow our ancestors’ footsteps. Explore grassland, wetland, and woodland habitats, and see how nature thrives in cities. No booking needed.
Daily
10 am - 5.50 pm
Natural History Museum
Visit Website for The Natural History Museum Gardens at Natural History Museum
This Design Museum's only permanent exhibition, features almost 1000 items of 20th and 21st century design viewed through the angles of the designer, manufacturer and user, including a crowdsourced wall.
Open daily
Mon to Thur: 10 am – 5 pm; Fri to Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
the Design Museum
Visit Website for Designer Maker User at the Design Museum
One of the greatest city parks in the world covering 142 hectares with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and further ornamental flower gardens, all here in the home of London’s arts and science district.
If you’re planning your trip to South Kensington, why not take a look at our brand new walking map, created in collaboration with Footways. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.
Fun, free things to do in a park, on the street, or anywhere outdoors.
Online
Natural History Museum
Visit Website for Outdoor Activities for Kids at Natural History Museum
Each summer, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 holds an Albertopolis event in partnership with the BBC World Service bringing together three ground-breaking engineers and a public audience.
Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851
Visit Website for BBC World Service: The Engineers at Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851
The V&A will be holding free, open sessions every Monday (except bank holidays) in the National Art Library. A member of the Library or Archives staff will introduce the history and purpose of the Library and talk about an item from their collections.
Discover how the world can use energy sustainably to fight climate change in the Science Museum’s Energy Revolution gallery, exploring the past, present, and future of a low-carbon world.
Mon - Sun
10 am - 6 pm
Science Museum
Visit Website for Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery at Science Museum
Discover the world’s oldest collection of timepieces at the Science Museum. See over 600 watches and clocks charting the history of clock making in London.
Mon - Sun
10 am - 6 pm
Science Museum
Visit Website for Science City 1550-1800: the Linbury gallery at Science Museum
This London Climate Action Week join the Natural History Museum for a free evening of creativity and nature positivity. . From battling urban heat to reducing waste, let’s talk about how cities such as London are tackling the climate crisis with solutions from nature, for nature.
24th June 2026
6.30 pm - 9.30 pm
Natural History Museum
Visit Website for Generation Hope London Climate Action Night at Natural History Museum
Join Leighton House's free guided walks exploring the unique group of Victorian studio-houses built on Holland Park Road and Melbury Road (Kensington, West London) by the so-called 'Holland Park Circle' of artists, sculptors and architects.
5 May - 31 July (Thursdays & Sundays)
11am-12:30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House
Visit Website for Artists Houses Walking Tours at Leighton House and Sambourne House
Get more from your lunchtime by dropping in on a special event, guided tour or lecture from the V&A curators and guest speakers. Discover something new about their collections, exhibitions, displays and beyond.
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Nov & 7th Dec
1:00 pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for V&A Lunchtime Lecture series at V&A South Kensington
Some of nature's most unique and valuable treasures are on display in the Vault gallery. See the world's largest collection of coloured diamonds, discover gems that glow in the dark, and marvel at rare meteorites from out of this world.
Explore 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years of the Earth's history in this collection of some of the museum's most extraordinary specimens.. Each exhibit tells a remarkable story and has been chosen for its scientific, historical and cultural importance.
Walk beneath the largest animal on Earth and explore dozens of other exhibits representing 4.5 billion years of natural history in the gateway to the museum's collections and galleries.
Encounter two of Japan’s most exciting photographers – Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai – in a rare opportunity to see their thought-provoking works in the UK.
3rd June - 18th Oct 2026
Mon - Sat: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: 12 pm - 6 pm
Japan House London
Visit Website for Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai at Japan House London
In January Pokémon celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Natural History Museum brought an exclusive pop-up shop to fans – a first of its kind for Pokémon with a UK museum.
Mon - Sun
10 am - 5.50 pm
Natural History Museum
Visit Website for Pokémon x Natural History Museum at Natural History Museum
Early Birds is a sensory friendly event for families with members who need a quieter environment to enjoy the museum.
4th July, 15th Aug & 26th Sept 2026
Times vary
Science Museum
Visit Website for Early Birds at Science Museum
Join free guided walks exploring the unique group of Victorian studio-houses built on Holland Park Road and Melbury Road (Kensington, West London) by the ‘Holland Park Circle’ of artists, sculptors and architects.
Select Thur & Sun
11 am - 12.30 pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House
Visit Website for Artists Houses Free Walking Tours at Leighton House and Sambourne House
Photographs looking back through the past 20 years of exhibitions installed in the Blyth Gallery.
Calling all Starfleet recruits! Discover iconic Star Trek objects and outfits across the Science Museum in this free trail.
Until 8th Sept 2026
10 am - 6 pm
Science Museum
Visit Website for Star Trek Warp Trail at Science Museum
Every second Saturday of the month, the library staff at the Goethe-Institut London offer an introduction to the collection and use of the library. The tour takes place from 2 pm on and lasts around 15 - 20 minutes.
Every second Sat of the month
2 pm - 5 pm
Goethe-Institut
Visit Website for Open Samstag - Guided Library Tour at Goethe-Institut
In this exhibition, visitors are invited into the imaginative world of Axel Scheffler through a series of original illustrations. Known for iconic works such as The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, Axel reveals his work created for Wuschel auf der Erde.
17th Mar - 31st Jul 2026
Mon - Fri: 10 am - 8.30 pm; Sat: 1 pm - 5 pm
Goethe-Institut
Visit Website for Creating the World of Wuschel at Goethe-Institut
Calling all plant lovers! Come to Phillimore Walk for a day of greenery, garden finds, rare plants, handmade planters, botanical art and outdoor living inspiration.