If you want to spend your lunchtime learning new things, waking up your mind or getting inspired, there's plenty to do in South Kensington. Take a walk through Hyde Park, learn from exhibitions at the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, or wander through galleries at the V&A, Design Museum or Serpentine.
Join V&A volunteer guides for an architectural tour of their South Kensington building, which will take you through the history and setting of their collections.
Until 31st Dec 2026
11.30 am - 12.15 pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for Designing the V&A - The Story of our Museum at V&A South Kensington
Celebrate the innovative printmaking techniques and bold visions of 25 women printmakers from 1900 – Now. From Käthe Kollwitz to Faith Ringgold, explore the work of artists who have used print to make their own lasting impression. This event is free!
Closes 27th Sept 2026
Mon to Sun: 10 am - 5.45 pm; Fri: 10 am – 10 pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for Lasting Impressions: Women Printmakers 1900 – Now at V&A South Kensington
Their collection of photography from the United States – one of the largest outside North America – reveals the breadth of the country's photographic traditions and the central role of image-making in American life.
Until 16th May 2027
10 am - 6 pm
V&A South Kensington
Visit Website for American Photographs at V&A South Kensington
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
Visit Hyde Park, where the 1851 Great Exhibition was held. Download the free app to see a true-to-size recreation of the Crystal Palace. Explore the site, admire the building's scale and details, and learn about its fascinating history.
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?
Immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming zone, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone.
Join this insightful workshop to explore the fundamentals of natural dyes derived from plants and waste materials, and create your own unique piece of fabric.
4th July 2026
10 am - 12.30pm & 2 pm - 4.30 pm
the Design Museum
Visit Website for Workshop: Natural Dyes at the Design Museum
This July, Summit Photo returns to the Society to explore how photography and filmmaking can drive positive change and address today’s global challenges.
17th - 19th July 2026
11 am - 8.30 pm (Until 5.15 pm on Sun)
Royal Geographical Society
Visit Website for Summit Photo 2026 at Royal Geographical Society
Join Albert Einstein and Marie Curie as they share the DNA of CBBC’s hit comedy sketch show Horrible Science live at the Royal Albert Hall with some scientifically proven bangers from the classical canon.
25th July 2026
2 pm & 6 pm
Royal Albert Hall
Visit Website for BBC Proms: Horrible Science - The Big Bang Proms Experiment at Royal Albert Hall
The Royal College of Music Museum’s special exhibition explores the world of contemporary folk traditions, celebrating how and why folk musics continue to evolve, live and thrive.
Until 25th Oct 2026
Tue - Fri: 10.15 am - 5.45 pm; Sat - Sun: 11 am - 6 pm
Royal College of Music
Visit Website for Shared Airs: Our Thriving Folk Musics at Royal College of Music
Earth Photo addresses prescient issues affecting our planet, aiming to stimulate conversations about our environment and the impact of climate change.
26th June - 24th July 2026
10 am - 5 pm
Royal Geographical Society
Visit Website for Earth Photo Exhibition 2026 at Royal Geographical Society
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
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
PLATFORM is an annual display dedicated to showcasing contemporary design practice. Opening in February 2026, the second edition in the series will present the fascinating work of designer Simone Brewster.
Until Jan 2027
Mon to Thur: 10 am – 5 pm; Fri to Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
the Design Museum
Visit Website for PLATFORM: Simone Brewster at the Design Museum