Whether you're visiting South Kensington for the first time, or you've visited a hundred times, here's a list of some of the best, but least well-known, exhibits, galleries, and places.
The beautiful Sunken Garden was planted in 1908, transforming part of the gardens previously occupied by potting sheds into a tranquil ornamental garden. Today, the garden continues the tradition of rotational flower displays in the spring and summer.
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
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.
Go on a journey of discovery and exploration around the Science Museum.
Engineers shape the world that we live in, creating bold, ground-breaking innovations that respond to global challenges and improve billions of lives. But how much do we know about the people behind these innovations?
Ciné Lumière screens new releases, UK premieres, classics, documentaries, family films, and curated series or festivals, often accompanied by on-stage discussions with directors, actors, and critics.
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.
The Royal College of Music's Museum offers a unique opportunity to interact with over 500 years of musical history. Items include the world’s oldest guitar and earliest keyboard instrument with strings. Enjoy a tour of the Museum, led by their knowledgeable team on Wednesdays at 12:30pm.
10:15am–5:45pm
Royal College of Music
Visit Website for The Royal College of Music Museum & Guided Tours at Royal College of Music
The Italian Gardens is a 150-year-old ornamental water garden located on the north side of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate. It is believed to have been created as a gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria.
The Blyth Gallery, curated by Mindy Lee, is an artist-run space for ambitious visual projects. Exhibitions include Imperial College students and staff shows, postgraduate Fine Art student work and work by visiting professional artists.
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.
Visit the V&A's amazing collection of ceramics, first opened in 1868. The galleries include the stunning Ceramic Staircase which was designed by Frank Moody, a master in the Schools of Design, together with his students.
Daily
Mon - Sun: 10 am - 5.45 pm; Fri: 10 am – 10 pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for Ceramics at V&A South Kensington
The V&A's glass collection is one of the largest and the most comprehensive in the world, showcasing the development of design and technology in glass-making over 3,500 years. Find the exhibition in rooms 131, 129 and 83-84.
Open Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for The V&A's Glass Collection at V&A South Kensington
One of the finest collections of jewelry in the world - over 3,500 jewels, including pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I.
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for V&A jewellery collection at V&A South Kensington
In July 2026, Leighton House marks 100 years since it opened as a public museum in Kensington. As part of the anniversary programme, the museum will host a spectacular one-twelfth scale miniature of the house and its richly decorated interiors, created by specialists Mulvany & Rogers.
15th - 20th July 2026
11 am - 2 pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House
Join Daniel Robbins, Senior Curator on a tour of Leighton House's major exhibition, The Arab Hall: Past and Present, exploring the artists and makers involved in its creation. The tour will focus on each of their contributions, how they became involved and what they thought of the resulting Arab Hall.
17th Sept 2026
1 pm - 2 pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House
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.
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
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
Leighton House presents the first major exploration of its extraordinary Arab Hall, one of London’s most iconic interiors, through a specially commissioned short film, three site-specific art installations and an exhibition and new publication containing extensive new research.
21st Mar - 4th Oct
10 am - 5.30 pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House
Visit Website for The Arab Hall:Past and Present at Leighton House and Sambourne House
Explore these intimate rooms created for Queen Mary II. The Queen's apartments were where Mary, and later royal consorts, lived. This is where they had their bedroom, took their meals, entertained their friends and distinguished guests, and relaxed.
Wed - Sun
10 am - 6 pm from Mar to Oct; 10 am - 4 pm from Nov to Feb
Kensington Palace
Visit Website for The Queen's State Apartments at Kensington Palace
Explore the King's State Apartments, each grander than the last. These rooms contain many sculptures and works of art, such as the terracotta busts of George II and his wife Queen Caroline, made by Michael Rysbrack in 1738 and 1739.
Wed - Sun
10 am - 6 pm from Mar to Oct; 10 am - 4 pm from Nov to Feb
Kensington Palace
Visit Website for The King's State Apartments at Kensington Palace
The Jewel Room displays commissioned gems for Queen Victoria by her beloved husband, Prince Albert.
Wed - Sun
Mar to Oct: 10 am - 6 pm; Nov to Feb: 10 am - 4 pm
Kensington Palace
Visit Website for The Jewel Room at Kensington Palace
Known for her vigorous brushwork, vivid colour and dynamic compositions, Cecily Brown presents paintings inspired by Serpentine’s unique location in Kensington Gardens, a site of personal significance to the artist.
Until 6th Sept 2026
10 am - 6 pm
Serpentine
Visit Website for Cecily Brown: Picture Making at Serpentine