Routes for exploring South Kensington

Walk Beneath the Largest Animal on Earth

Central Building, Hinze Hall

Hintze Hall is the gateway to the Museum, where you can explore everything from meteorites to mammals, minerals to insects. Don’t miss the breathtaking sight of Hope, the blue whale, diving from the ceiling.

Treasures

Central Building, First Floor

If you want to see the absolute best the Natural History Museum has to offer, your first stop should be Treasures. This single room contains some of the most wondrous historic items in the collection. See some of the specimens that helped Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution, and a piece of the moon that was brought back from the Apollo missions.

Minerals and the Vaults

Central Building, First Floor

Feast your eyes on the Museum’s world-leading collection of minerals and gems on display in The Vault, including the amazing 9,381-carat Ostro stone - the largest topaz of its kind. Other highlights include a giant emerald from Zambia known as Medusa, and Tissint – a Martian meteorite that landed in Morocco in 2011.

Dinosaur Gallery

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Dinosaurs gallery is a must‑see, featuring fossils from around the world and a life‑size animatronic T‑rex, plus insights into dinosaur life, extinction, and scientific discovery.

Do Do the Dodos

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Natural History Museum has an incredible collection of bird specimens, some of which are over 200 years old. A selection of top picks are displayed in the Birds gallery including the dodo specimen and the incredible hummingbird display cabinet.

Take a Trip Through Human Evolution

East Wing, Ground Floor

As you head out to Exhibition Road take a trip through Human Evolution with specimens spanning over seven million years. See the first adult female Neanderthal cranium ever discovered, life-size Neanderthal, early Homo sapiens models and the 3.5-million-year-old Laetoli canine, the oldest hominin fossil in the collection!

Feel the Earth Move

East Wing, Second Floor

Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, interactive games and the famous earthquake simulator, explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live in the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery. 

Natural History Museum Gardens

Explore the gardens to see how life on Earth has evolved, from dinosaurs to modern cities. Meet a full‑size Diplodocus, walk through diverse habitats, and enjoy free entry — perfect for a picnic or a stop at the Garden Kitchen (9.30 am – 4.30 pm).

Exhibition Road Entrance

The new Exhibition Road entrance, courtyard and basement gallery are the largest architectural project undertaken by the Museum in over 100 years. Designed by Amanda Levete and her practice AL_A, this new Quarter showcases the best of contemporary design, as well as celebrating the beauty of the V&A’s existing building.

V&A Cafe

Ground Floor

Choose from three spectacular dining rooms - the Gamble, Poynter and Morris Rooms - each has its own unique and historic decor. Henry Cole commissioned contemporary artists and designers to decorate the rooms in the latest style and materials.

Ceramic Staircase

Level 0

Take the Ceramic Staircase at the end of the hall up to Level 6.This is one of the most elaborately decorated parts of the Museum. Completed in 1869, it was the principal route from the original main entrance leading up to the Ceramics galleries and schools of art and science.

Europe 1600 - 1850

Level 0

Europe 1600 – 1815 showcases over 1,100 highlights of 17th‑ and 18th‑century European art and design, from grand furniture to exquisite fashion and decorative pieces.

The Cast Courts

Level 1

The Cast Courts, built in 1873, display plaster replicas of iconic artworks and architecture, including an impressive cast of Michelangelo’s David.

Medieval & Renaissance

Level 1

The Medieval collection  brings together treasures of sacred and secular art from around Europe. Highlights include an early 12th-century ewer in the form of a griffin, and a rare English iron helmet, that may have seen action in the Wars of the Roses.

Gilbert Collection

Level 2

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection celebrates some of the most beautiful objects ever made, many in precious materials, and often on a small scale. It is famous for European and British masterpieces, including gold and silver, gold boxes, painted enamels and mosaics. 

The Silver Galleries

Level 2

Head back down to the rooms 65-70, full of beautiful silver. The Silver collection is now displayed in was the Museum’s original Ceramic galleries. Silver objects range from a third-century Roman ointment pot, to a sixteenth-century Mexican perfume burner, to a table centrepiece created in 2012 by Miriam Hanid.

The Jewellery Gallery

Level 2

After the silver galleries, visit the incredible jewellery collections — over 3,000 pieces spanning 2,000 years, from ancient Greece to contemporary design, including medieval love rings and pendants given by Elizabeth I to her courtiers, Cartier jewels, Fabergé animals, and work by modern makers.

Power Up

Level -1

In the basement, immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming experience, 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, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart.

Space

Level 0

Directly after the Energy Hall is arguably one of the most exciting exhibitions in the museum - the Space gallery. Explore the story of space through iconic objects and inspiring missions, including the Soyuz descent module that flew Tim Peake to space and back, Helen Sharman’s spacesuit, and the Apollo 10 command module which orbited the Moon in 1969. 

Making the Modern World

Ground Floor

In this gallery, come face-to-face with the Apollo 10 command module, Stephenson’s Rocket, Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 1 and the first Apple computer. You’ll also find thought-provoking objects such as penicillin from Fleming’s laboratory, a porcelain bowl salvaged from Hiroshima and a clock that will tell the time for the next 10,000 years.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Level 1

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries house 3,000 remarkable objects, from the first MRI scanner and Fleming’s penicillin mould to prosthetics and cutting‑edge robotic surgery.

Information Age

Level 2

Visit Information Age to see how information & communication technologies have shaped the last 200 years. Discover how wireless technology saved many lives on the Titanic and ear the personal stories of the operators who worked on the Enfield Telephone Exchange, the last manual telephone switchboard.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

The stunning gallery, designed by world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, spans 400 years of human ingenuity, bringing mathematics to life through everyday stories, designs and architecture. Highlights include an Enigma cypher machine from 1934, one of the earliest mechanical calculators and a Handley Page aeroplane.

Wonderlab

Level 3

Ignite your curiosity and discover the beauty of the science and mathematics that shape our everyday lives in this interactive gallery. With over 50 mind-blowing science marvels to enjoy, try ordering live experiments at the Chemistry Bar, see lightning strike, play with forces on giant slides or travel through space under a canopy of stars.

Energy Revolutution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery

Level 2

This gallery explores past, present, and future energy systems through striking objects and interactive displays — from a 100‑year‑old electric taxi to a towering 7‑metre tidal turbine blade — showing the path to a low‑carbon future.

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Delve into Wes Anderson's extensive archive in this first retrospective exhibition devoted to his distinctive cinematic output, produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Explore the vision and legacy of Japanese designer and creative director NIGO – from street style to music and beyond, in the first UK exhibition showcasing his multifaceted creative work, alongside vintage objects and traditional crafts from his personal collection.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

Designer Maker User explores contemporary design through the roles of designer, maker, and user, spanning disciplines from architecture to fashion and digital design. Highlights include the Crowdsourced Wall, featuring over 200 everyday objects from 25 countries.

The Vault

Central Building, First Floor

Down in the Vault, there's all sorts of (literal) hidden gems including one of the biggest emeralds ever found, a Martian meteorite and an infamous cursed amethyst.

Cadogan Gallery

Central Building, First Floor

There are treasures of all sorts in the Cadogan Gallery, with its collection of 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years, including glass animals, a rare first edition of Darwin's On the Origin of Species, a carved nautilus shell, an emperor penguin egg collected during Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic expedition, and Guy the Gorilla.

Spirit Collection Tour

Meet in Hinze Hall

If you take the Spirit Collection Tour you can go behind the scenes for a look at the Museum's fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit. Explore some of the 27 kilometres of shelves and encounter Archie, the 8.62-metre-long giant squid.

Glass

Rooms 83,84, 129 & 131

Up on the third and fourth floors you can find one of the largest and most comprehensive glass collections in the world, tracing the history of glassmaking over the last 3,500 years.

Jewellery

Rooms 91-93

The dazzling jewellery section includes over 3,000 jewels set in historical tiaras, Elizabethan pendants, ancient treasures, and contemporary designs.

Ceramic Staircase

Level 0, near the Cafe

On your way off the Exhibition Road entrance, off the Blavatnik Hall is the stunning Ceramic Staircase which was designed by Frank Moody, a master in the Schools of Design, together with his students. 

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Level 0, Wellcome WIng

Escape the hustle and bustle of the museum and settle in for an unforgettable experience in the IMAX: The Ronson Theatre. The IMAX theatre hosts blockbusters, stunning 3D documentary films and cinema classics as well as live events. 

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Level 1

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is full of extraordinary medical artefacts, specially commissioned artworks, and interactive exhibits that bring the history of medicine to life. There are thousands of treasures to explore and even an immersive Victorian pharmacy for you to step inside.

Clockmakers' Museum

Level 2

Here you can see the collection of more than 1000 watches, 80 clocks and several fine sundials tracing the story of the capital’s clock makers and the evolution of the wristwatch.

Blyth Gallery

Level 5, Sherfield Building

Take a wander around the university and then visit this gallery, tucked away on the 5th floor of the Sherfield building, containing exhibitions by Imperial staff and students and visiting artists.

Britten Theatre

The Britten Theatre showcases outstanding young singers in a handful of productions each year, offering world‑class opera at a fraction of the cost — or simply enjoy the music drifting out as you pass by. There are usually 2 or 3 productions a year. Take a look at their events programme.

RCM Museum

Inside there is also a hidden gem - the Royal College of Music Museum which contains the earliest known guitar, the earliest stringed keyboard instrument and the most recognised portraits of Joseph Haydn and Farinelli. Learn about these and 56 other fascinating instruments specially chosen from the RCM’s designated collection of over 14,000 items.

Exhibitions

The Pavilion

The Society's Pavilion hosts a variety of free-to-visit exhibitions from photography to inspiring stories of some of the great explorers both past and present. No need to book — you can pop in as you walk past.

Italian Gardens

At the northern end of the Serpentine are the Italian Gardens, installed under the instruction of Prince Albert and restored to their original splendour in 2011.

Serpentine Galleries

With one gallery on either side of the Serpentine, there's always a variety of exciting contemporary free art for you to visit and explore. The Serpentine North has a stunning cafe & restaurant if you need to stop for refreshments.

Serpentine Pavilion

Open annually from June to October, the Serpentine Pavilion commission has become an international site for architectural experimentation and presents projects by some of the world’s greatest architects. The Pavilion hosts various free events which respond to the structure.

Explore Leighton House

Leighton House has a permanent exhibition of Victorian paintings, drawings and sculpture, including works by Leighton, Burne-Jones, Millais, Stevens, Alma-Tadema and the Cecil French Bequest. There is also a changing temporary programme of temporary exhibitions and lots of interesting events, including lates, life drawing and music recitals.

Leighton House Garden

Designed in the late 19th century by Frederic Leighton, this restored garden blends Victorian charm with contemporary planting. The De Morgan Café offers a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy garden views.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

Start your day with an introduction to the Design Museum’s collection, looking at the development of modern design through these three interconnected roles - Designer, Maker, and User.

Exhibitions & Events

Japan House London celebrates Japan’s creativity and innovation through a diverse programme highlighting artisans, designers, performers, and artists — from global leaders to emerging talent.

Japan House Shop

The Shop at Japan House London blurs the lines between retail space and gallery, offering guests the opportunity to learn about artists, designers, manufacturers and regions of Japan through a thoughtfully curated product collection.

Serpentine South Gallery

Situated in Kensington Gardens, Serpentine South presents contemporary art and architecture by emerging and established artists, alongside the Koenig bookshop specialising in modern and contemporary art, photography, and architecture.

Serpetine North Gallery

Cross the river from the Serpentine South to see a changing selection of work from a wide variety of artists — and don't miss out on a browse through the Serpentine shop! It is also a great place to enjoy their beautiful cafe and restaurant, which adjoins the gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid.

Jesús Rafael Soto: Pénétrable BBL Jaune

Step inside this vibrant, immersive sculpture by Venezuelan kinetic art pioneer Jesús Rafael Soto. Composed of thousands of suspended yellow tubes, the work invites visitors to walk through it, creating shifting visual effects and transforming the space through movement. Both playful and meditative, it’s a striking example of art you can physically experience.

Blyth Gallery

Level 5, Sherfield Building

The Blyth Gallery, curated by Mindy Lee, is an artist-run space for creative exploration of ambitious visual projects, hosting a range of exhibitions throughout the year including Imperial College student and staff shows, exhibitions of postgraduate Fine Art student work and work by visiting professional artists. 

The Exhibition Road Courtyard

Exhibition Road

Entering from Exhibition Road, you’ll find the Exhibition Road Courtyard — the UK’s first porcelain‑tiled public courtyard — designed by AL_A using 10,000 bespoke ceramic tiles inspired by the surrounding Victorian buildings.

Ceramic Staircase

Exhibition Road Entrance, Level 0

As you enter from the Courtyard, on the left, is the Ceramic Staircase, one of the most elaborately decorated parts of the Victorian buildings. Completed in 1869, it was once the principal route from the original main entrance, opposite the public café, leading up to the Ceramics galleries and the adjoining schools of art & science that shared the site.

Europe 1600-1815

Level -1, Rooms 1-7

Have a browse through over 1100 objects from the V&A’s collections of 17th- and 18th-century European art and design, displayed in a suite of seven galleries. The collection comprises some of the most magnificent works held by the V&A South Kensington.

Paintings

The V&A Paintings collection includes British and European oil and watercolour paintings as well as over 2,000 miniatures, for which the Museum holds the national collection. Find them in Rooms 81-82 and 87-88a up on the 3rd floor.

Sculpture

Rooms 21-24, 26, 27, 111 & 117

With masterpieces by Michelangelo, Bernini and Rodin, the National collection includes sculpture from the 4th century to the present, in a vast range of materials, from bronze, marble, terracotta and wood, to alabaster, amber, wax, lapis and shell. 

V&A Glass Collection

Rooms 83, 84, 129 & 131

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.

Gilbert Collection

Rooms 70-73

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection celebrates some of the most beautiful objects ever made, many in precious materials, and often on a small scale. It is famous for European and British masterpieces including gold and silver, gold boxes, painted enamels and mosaics.

The Raphael Cartoons

The Raphael Court

The Raphael Cartoons are seven full‑scale Renaissance designs by Raphael, commissioned for the Sistine Chapel and depicting the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. On loan to the V&A South Kensington since 1865, they are among the greatest treasures of the period.

The Cast Collection

Room 46a - 46b

Opened in 1873, the Cast Courts display copies of some of the world's most significant works of art reproduced in plaster, electrotype, photography, and digital media. The cast collection is famous for including reproductions of Michelangelo's David, Trajan's Column, and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, amongst many others.

Cast Courts

Level 0, Rooms 46, 46A, 46B

The Cast Courts built in 1873, display the V&A’s remarkable collection of plaster casts of art and architecture, including the famous cast of Michelangelo’s David, set within richly decorated Victorian galleries.

Cafés

Take a break in one of the V&A's cafés whilst you plan your route through the museum. With three to choose from, including the new Courtyard café, there's plenty of options - and you could even book a Victorian Afternoon Tea if you're visiting on a Sunday!

The Clockmakers' Museum

Level 2

Discover the beauty and sophistication of the world’s oldest clock and watch collection, featuring intricate designs from 600 years of clockmaking. Don’t miss the Collectors’ Cabinet, currently showcasing a set of rare watches designed by style icon Abraham-Louis Breguet.

Cafés and restauarants

Time for a snack stop? The Science Museum is home to three cafés for light refreshments and the Diner for pizza on demand. For something sweeter, don't forget to design your own ice cream milkshake at the Shake Bar.

Treasures

Central Building, First Floor

Explore 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years of the Earth's history. Each exhibit tells a remarkable story and has been chosen for its scientific, historical and cultural importance - enjoy the man-made artworks and be inspired by the natural world.

Café

Central Building, Ground Floor

Finish your day with an afternoon tea in one of the Natural History Museum cafés with selections of sandwiches, pastries and hot drinks, or enjoy a late lunch at the T. Rex Grill.

Dora House

The Society is based inside Dora House (closed until Autumn 2026), a remarkable Arts and Crafts building rich in decorative detail, from stained glass to carved interiors and artist studios — exploring it is part of the experience. Built in 1820 and remodelled in the 1880s for the photography studio Elliot & Fry, it has long been a creative hub. Sculptor Cecil Thomas later lived and worked here, before leaving the house to the Society in the 1970s, securing its future as a home for sculptors.

Exhibitions and Events

The Society have a programme of exhibitions and events designed to experience a diverse range of contemporary work through original exhibitions, artists' talks and creative workshops. Entry is free. Top tip - on the third Thursday of every month there is a chance to learn a new creative skill.

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Opened in 2004, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain features flowing water that cascades into a calm pool, symbolising Diana’s life, openness, and spirit.

Boating on the Serpentine

Hyde Park Boathouse

Hyde Park has a fleet of rowing and pedalo and rowing boats that you can rent on The Serpentine and enjoy a unique perspective of Hyde Park from the water. You can even hire an electric pedalo if you want to sit back and take it easy! Check online for opening times.

Serpentine Bar & Kitchen

A spot for lunch

Housed in Patrick Gwynne’s iconic building by the Serpentine, the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen offers a relaxed retreat with hot meals, light bites, cakes, and drinks, inspired by English country living.

LookOut Discovery Centre

Great for activities

The LookOut is a unique, eco-friendly building nestled in an acre of enclosed grounds in the heart of the park. It enables people of all ages, abilities and communities to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Learn about the natural world or take part in family and wellbeing activities. 

The Reformers' Tree

The Reformers’ Tree became a symbol of protest in 1866, when campaigners for voting rights gathered there. Today, a circular black‑and‑white mosaic marks the spot in memory of the tree and the right to assemble.

Peter Pan statue

West of Long Water

Find the Peter Pan statue west of the Long Water, on the spot where Peter lands in The Little White Bird. Inspired by Kensington Gardens, J.M. Barrie commissioned the statue in 1912 — bring it to life via Talking Statues using the nearby plaque.

Diana Memorial Playground

North of Kensington Palace

The Diana, Princess of Wales’ Memorial Playground features a giant wooden pirate ship at its heart. Opened in 2000 near Kensington Palace, it includes a sensory trail, teepees, a sandy beach, and imaginative play sculptures.

Exhibitions

The Serpentine Galleries are spread across two sites -- the Serpentine South and the Serpentine North just on the other side of Serpentine Bridge. They have a huge range of free temporary exhibitions. Check out their current programme here.

Serpentine Pavillion

The Serpentine Pavilion is an annual architectural commission launched in 2000 with Zaha Hadid, showcasing first UK structures by leading architects and hosting Serpentine’s summer programme (June-Oct.).

Kensington Palace Sunken Gardens

The beautiful Sunken Garden was planted in 1908, transforming part of the gardens previously occupied by potting sheds into a tranquil ornamental garden of classical proportions. It was modelled on a similar garden at Hampton Court Palace and celebrated a style of gardening seen in the 18th century. Today, the garden continues the tradition of rotational flower displays in the spring and summer. 

Queen Victoria statue

Outside Kensington Palace stands a statue of Queen Victoria, sculpted by her daughter Princess Louise to mark 50 years of her reign, depicting the young Queen in her coronation robes. The exceptionally gifted Princess Louise was a most accomplished sculptor in her own right. From the memoirs of her nephew Ernst Ludwig we know she was reluctant to make the sculpture but was persuaded by the famous painter Alma Tadema.

Albert Memorial

Unveiled in 1872, the Albert Memorial commemorates Prince Albert, showing him holding the Great Exhibition catalogue. Taking over 10 years to complete, its ornate design celebrates his passion for the arts through the sculpted Parnassus frieze.

The Arch by Henry Moore

The Arch is a six‑metre‑high travertine sculpture by Henry Moore, set beside the Long Water. Gifted to the nation in 1980, it is made from seven Italian stone blocks weighing 37 tonnes. The stones were sourced from a quarry in northern Italy.

Italian Gardens

Near Lancaster Gate

Created in the 1860s near Lancaster Gate, the Italian Gardens are an ornamental water garden believed to be a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria, inspired by Osborne House — look for the royal initials on the Pump House wall.

Coalbrookdale Gates

West Carriage Drive

We end the tour where it began, at the iron gates between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 by the Coalbrookdale Company, they were moved here in 1871 — look for the small plaques at the base of the pillars.

The Architecture Rooms

Level 3, Room 127

Explore over 1 million drawings by major British architects from the 15th century to the present plus important foreign groups in rooms 127-128a. And don't forget other magnificent large-scale architectural objects around the museum, including the eighteenth-century Norfolk House Music Room, part of the colonnade from the fort at Agra and casts of antique and medieval building details.

Jellyfish Installation

Level 3, Room 131

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. A particular highlight is Steffen Dam's Jellyfish Installation, featuring a series of glass jellyfish 'specimens'. 

Sketch Chair

Level 4, Rooms 133-135

The V&A has been collecting furniture and woodwork for over 150 years. This diverse collection is unrivalled for breadth and quality, spanning over six centuries of British and international furniture production, including the Sketch chair - a 3D-printed chair from Finland. 

Cafés

Take a break in one of the V&A's cafés to discuss your finds so far. With three to choose from, including the new Courtyard café, there's plenty of options - and you could even book a Victorian Afternoon Tea if you're visiting on a Sunday!

Mammals Hall

Central Building, Ground Floor

Discover the biggest mammals in the animal kingdom in this gallery. Look up and see the NHM's blue whale, seemingly swimming with the other cetacean skeletons and replicas suspended from the ceiling. On the ground, check out the extinct mammoths and giant elk and their living relatives, as well as giraffes, hippos, and horses.

Dinosaurs

Central Building, First Floor

Start your day with a visit to the Natural History Museum's world-famous dinosaurs. Meet the first T. rex fossil ever found, see the skull of a Triceratops and wander among fossils in the Dinosaurs gallery.

Birds

Central Building, First Floor

Discover an extinct dodo, the historical hummingbird cabinet, and a Victorian avian anatomy display in the Birds gallery. From endangered species to native British breeds and contemporary conservation efforts, explore the wonders of the Museum's bird collection.

Earth's Treasury

East Wing, First Floor

Discover gemstones, rocks and glow-in-the-dark minerals in the Earth's Treasury gallery. A glittering display includes everything from gold nuggets to Stonehenge rock and kryptonite. Find out how diamonds are formed and cut, and examine royal links to precious stones.

Human Evolution

East Wing, Ground Floor

Meet your ancient relatives, trace the origins and evolution of our species, and explore what makes us human with exhibits including the Gibraltar 1 skull - the first adult Neanderthal skull ever found - and fascinating insights into the cultural practices of early modern humans in Britain.

Café

Take a quick break before you head to your next stop, with a visit to one of the Natural History Museum's Cafés for a snack or to the T. rex Grill for lunch. We love the Garden Kitchen in the Museum gardens, but if you bring a picnic, you can enjoy your lunch in the stunning gardens - no tickets required!

Space

Level 0

Discover humanity’s journey into space through standout artefacts — the Soyuz capsule that carried Tim Peake, Helen Sharman’s spacesuit, the Apollo 10 command module, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 headset, and a three‑billion‑year‑old lunar rock.

Making the Modern World

Level 0

This free gallery presents some of the Museum’s most remarkable objects. Chart 250 years of science and technology and discover some of the most iconic items that have shaped our society. Come face-to-face with Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 1, Crick and Watson’s DNA model and the first Apple computer.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Level 1

Featuring three thousand objects and covers an area equivalent to 1,500 hospital beds, Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is the magnificent home for the most significant medical collections in the world. Free to visit.

Engineers

Level 1

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? This fascinating free gallery celebrates engineers, their prize-winning achievements and their extraordinary stories.

Information Age

Level 2

Enjoy a celebration of more than 200 years of innovation in information and communication technologies in the Information Age gallery. Re-live remarkable moments in history, told through the eyes of those who invented, operated or were affected by the new wave of technology, from the first BBC radio broadcast in 1922 to the dawn of digital TV. (Free to visit)

Mathematics Gallery: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

This bold and thought-provoking free gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, examines the fundamental role mathematicians, their tools and ideas have played in building the world we live in. The objects in Mathematics: The Winton Gallery reveal how mathematics connects to every aspect of our lives.

Energy Revolutution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery

Level 2

Looking at the past, present & future of energy systems, the free to visit gallery features recognisable & surprising objects, plus interactive exhibits, to highlight how we can journey to a more sustainable world—and our role in achieving that low-carbon future. You can see an electric taxi that’s 100 years old &  marvel at a vast 7 metre tidal turbine blade.

Exhibitions

The RGS Pavilion is home to a constantly changing programme of displays that include exhibitions created by external organisations, broadly linked to geographical themes and also by selected sponsors of the Society. 

Exhibitions

With an ever-changing selection of exhibitions and displays, the Design Museum offers insights into a wide variety of technologies and their uses in design, art and the wider world. Take a look at their exhibitions page to see what's currently on offer.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

The museum's Designer Maker User permanent exhibition is a fascinating visit for those interested in science and technology, as you trace the origins of some of the most well-loved and well-used science and tech inventions of contemporary society. 

Designer Maker User

Designer Maker User uses the museum’s collection to look at the development of modern design through these three interconnected roles. Find out more about how things are made and experiment with designing things for yourself in this free permanent exhibition.

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Delve into Wes Anderson's extensive archive in this first retrospective exhibition devoted to his distinctive cinematic output, produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Explore the vision and legacy of Japanese designer and creative director NIGO – from street style to music and beyond, in the first UK exhibition showcasing his multifaceted creative work, alongside vintage objects and traditional crafts from his personal collection.

The Explorer Trail

Ticket Desk

The trail includes creative looking, thinking and drawing activities as you explore the museum and exhibitions. After engaging in the museum building itself, the trail asks the user to consider what it's like to be a designer, maker and user of some of the wonderful objects in the collection, supporting children to discover that design is all around us, in things we use every day and everywhere. Takes 30-40 mins.

Boating

Rent out one of Hyde Park's fleet of pedal and rowing boats, and enjoy the sun from the middle of the Serpentine. You can even rent an electric pedalo, making them perfect for anyone who may find pedalling difficult or fancies a more leisurely sail. Check the website for times, which vary throughout the year.

Diana Memorial Fountain

The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table. Have a sit-down and splash your feet in this beautiful memorial water feature, a great place to stop for a picnic before carrying on around Hyde Park.

Outdoor activities

Taking place on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays, there's lots of activities suitable for the whole family including nature trails and arts and crafts at the LookOut in Hyde Park on these Discovery Days.

Serpentine Bar and Kitchen

If you haven't brought your picnic (or if the weather's not quite what you wanted!) head to the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen for lunch. With a wide menu, including a good kids' selection, it's a great place to stop for a snack.

The Garden

Level -1

Down in the basement of the museum, you'll find an exciting interactive space, created especially for children aged 3-6 and their parents and carers. It's an ideal place to discover science through play, exploring construction, water, light and sound.

Power Up

Level -1

Immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming experience, 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 all ages, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart. Age 5+

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Wellcome Wing, Level 0

If you want to give your feet a break, grab some popcorn and sit down and enjoy a film in the Science Museum's IMAX: The Ronson Theatre - one of the largest screens in the UK. 

Pattern Pod

Level 0

An amazing multi-sensory area for children under 9 years old, the Pattern Pod is full of interactive exhibits encouraging them to recognise and copy patterns, or create entirely new ones of their own!

Exploring Space

Level 0

Just after the Energy Hall lies one of the museum's most exciting exhibitions: the Space gallery. Explore the story of space through iconic objects and inspiring missions. Highlights include the Soyuz descent module that flew Tim Peake to space and back, Helen Sharman’s spacesuit, and the Apollo 10 command module which orbited the Moon in 1969. 

Making the Modern World

Ground Floor

This gallery presents some of the Museum’s most remarkable objects. Come face-to-face with the Apollo 10 command module, Stephenson’s Rocket, Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 1 and the first Apple computer. You’ll also find thought-provoking objects such as penicillin from Fleming’s laboratory, a porcelain bowl salvaged from Hiroshima and a clock that will tell the time for the next 10,000 years.

Information Age

Level 2

Visit Information Age to find out how our lives have been transformed by information and communication technologies over the last 200 years. Discover how wireless technology saved many lives on the Titanic and spread news of the disaster to the world within hours.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

The stunning gallery, designed by world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, spans 400 years of human ingenuity, bringing mathematics to life through everyday stories, designs and architecture. Highlights include an Enigma cypher machine from 1934, one of the earliest mechanical calculators and a Handley Page aeroplane.

Wonderlab

Level 3

Open daily on level 3, the Wonderlab has over 50 mind-blowing exhibits, shows and demonstrations to enjoy with loads of opportunity to get hands on with scientific phenomena. The gallery reveals the beauty of the science and maths that shape our everyday lives.

Kids Tour: The Young Explorers

Hinze Hall, Central Building

This 45-minute, interactive guided kids tour brings fascinating specimens to life with exciting stories and hands-on activities. Kids will get to use a map, discover clues and take part in activities to uncover surprising secrets across our galleries.

Spirit Collection tours

Hinze Hall, Central Building

Go behind the scenes with the Museum's science educators for a look at their fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit. Explore some of the Darwin Centre’s 27 kilometres of shelves & treasures, including the 22 million animal specimens housed here. Meet Archie, the 8.62-metre-long giant squid, view specimens collected by Charles Darwin and learn more about cutting-edge research. Suitable for children over 8, ticketed.

Walk Beneath the Largest Animal on Earth

Central Building, Ground Floor

Hintze Hall is the gateway to our collections and galleries. Inside it, you can wander among meteorites, mammals, fish, birds, minerals, plants and insects, and hear stories about the people whose work and ideas have shaped the Museum. But most of all, stand in awe below the 25-metre skeleton of Hope, the Blue Whale, suspended in a dramatic dive.

Do Do the Dodos

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Natural History Museum has an incredible collection of bird specimens, some of which are over 200 years old. A selection of top picks are displayed in the Birds gallery including the dodo specimen and the incredible hummingbird display cabinet.

Treasures in Cadogan Gallery

Central Building, First Floor

If you want to see the absolute best the Museum has to offer, your first stop should be Treasures. This room contains some of the most wondrous historic items in the Museum's collection. See some of the specimens that helped Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution, a piece of the moon brought back from the Apollo mission or come face to face with Guy the Gorilla.

Dinosaur Gallery

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Museum's dinosaurs are world-famous. Meet the roaring T. rex, see the skull of a Triceratops and wander among fossils in the Dinosaurs gallery. Explore the different time periods dinosaurs lived, sort the facts from the myths about why they died out and find out what our scientific research has taught us about these prehistoric giants.

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

East Wing, Second Floor

Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, interactive games and the famous earthquake simulator, explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live in the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery. Examine fossils from a time when all Earth's continents were joined, and the animals that evolved after the continents separated. See lava bombs, volcanic glass hair, and crystals created under intense pressure beneath Earth's surface.

Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience

West Wing, Zoology Spirit Building

Experience Visions of Nature, which dares to imagine a possible future 100 years from now. Equipped with a mixed reality headset, you'll be transported a century into the future to explore what could lie ahead for the planet. Journey around the globe and become visually and audibly surrounded by the awe and wonder of the future natural world.

Natural History Museum Gardens

Follow the story of how life on Earth has changed over time in the gardens, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today. 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. Bring a picnic or enjoy a snack or lunch at the Garden Kitchen - open 9.30 to 4.30 pm

Cafés

Start your day in one of the V&A's cafés whilst you plan your route through the museum. With three to choose from, including the new Courtyard café, there's plenty of options.

Trails

Online

Take a look at the digital trails and explore some of the wonders of V&A South Kensington. Or access the Secret Seekers website on your phone for a treasure hunt guided by characters from the Museum's history.

Family activities

Families can enjoy free activities at the museum every day. During the school holidays, there are hands-on making events and performances to inspire the whole family. The ever-changing programme is designed for all ages and encourages play and learning through the V&A collection and temporary exhibitions.

Theatre and Performance

Level 2, Rooms 103 - 106

The Theatre and Performance collections feature over 3,500 stage costumes and accessories from the mid-18th century to today, showcasing the creativity of designers and costume makers across drama, opera, dance, musicals, pantomime, rock, pop, music hall, film, cabaret, and circus.

John Madejski Garden

Have a splash in the John Madejski Garden water feature when the weather is hot. You'll find the outdoor café and picnic areas where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine while the kids enjoy the open space.

Family Events at the Institut

Explore the year-round programme of events, workshops and films for kids and families. The Institut regularly show many of the popular newly released animated films.

Bibliothèque Quentin Blake

The library offers hundreds of books and materials for children up to 12-year-old, Bibliothèque Quentin Blake takes its name from its patron, famous illustrator Sir Quentin Blake, who donated a gorgeous mural decoration following its 2015 refurbishment! To borrow books you will need to become a member.

Family Activities

As well as the library, the Institut has a great cinema for kids, showing French films with English subtitles as well as films in English - all set in a cosy independent cinema! They also have lots of other great activities for families, so check out their website.

Treasures

Central Building, First Floor

If you want to see the absolute best the Natural History Museum has to offer, your first stop should be Treasures. This single room contains some of the most wondrous historic items in the NHM's collection. See some of the specimens that helped Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution, and a piece of the moon that was brought back from the Apollo missions.

Minerals and the Vaults

Central Building, First Floor

Feast your eyes on the Museum’s world-leading collection of minerals and gems on display in The Vault, including the amazing 9,381-carat Ostro stone - the largest topaz of its kind. Other highlights include a giant emerald from Zambia known as Medusa, and Tissint – a Martian meteorite that landed in Morocco in 2011.

Walk Beneath the Largest Animal on Earth

Central Building, Ground Floor

Hintze Hall is the gateway to our collections and galleries. Inside it, you can wander among meteorites, mammals, fish, birds, minerals, plants and insects, and hear stories about the people whose work and ideas have shaped the Museum. But most of all, stand in awe below the 25-metre skeleton of Hope, the Blue Whale, suspended in a dramatic dive.

Do Do the Dodos

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Natural History Museum has an incredible collection of bird specimens, some of which are over 200 years old. A selection of top picks are displayed in the Birds gallery including the dodo specimen and the incredible hummingbird display cabinet.

Dinosaur Gallery

Central Building, Ground Floor

NHM's spectacular array of dinosaur fossils, showcased in the Dinosaurs gallery, is an absolute must-see. Discover dinosaurs from across the globe and come face to a face with a massive animatronic t-rex! Explore the different time periods in which dinosaurs lived, separate facts from myth about why they became extinct, and learn what the Museum’s scientific research has revealed about these prehistoric giants.

Take a Trip Through Human Evolution

East Wing, Ground Floor

As you head out to Exhibition Road take a trip through Human Evolution with specimens spanning over seven million years. See the first adult female Neanderthal cranium ever discovered, life-size Neanderthal and early Homo sapiens models and the 3.5-million-year-old Laetoli canine, the oldest hominin fossil in the Museum's collection.

Feel the Earth Move

East Wing, Second Floor

Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, interactive games and the famous earthquake simulator, explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live in the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery. 

Food and Drink

If you fancy stopping for a snack there's plenty of options - tea and cake at The Coffee House, a light lunch at the Central Cafe or The Kitchen or a full meal to warm you up in the T. rex Grill

Family Trails

Learner Centre

Borrow one of our family backpacks to explore V&A South Kensington through creative and fun multi-sensory activities. Discover curious ceramic objects, architectural inventions and incredible interiors. Our award-winning Backpacks are recommended for 5–12 years. Head to our Learning Centre during your visit and chat to a member of the team to find out more.

Europe 1600 – 1815

Level -1, Room 2a

Join The Masquerade! Join the party at the Venetian Carnival as it would have been over 200 years ago, with this interactive film. Dance at a ball, visit a gambling hall and watch a commedia dell'arte performance. Follow Harlequin and imitate his poses to move through your journey. Have fun!

Secret Seekers

Meet a cast of characters, collect gems and reveal the Museum's secrets in this interactive online game.

Jewellery

Rooms 91 -93

Dazzle your kids (and yourselves) with this extraordinary collection with over 3,000 jewels telling the story of jewellery in Europe from ancient times to the present day.

Theatre & Performance

Level 2, Rooms 103 -106

Find out about the fascinating past of theatre and performance, including displays on costumes, set design, puppetry, musical theatre and much more.

Food and Drink

Start your morning with snacks and drinks at one of the V&A's cafes - there's one in the courtyard as you enter or head through to find the world's first museum cafe.

Europe 1600-1815

Level -1, Room 2

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, 1773. When Marie-Antoinette was queen of France, it was fashionable for women to have huge hairstyles. To make their hair taller they sometimes used padding made of cow hair. They also used grease made from bear fat and big spiky pins to hold it all in place.  Create your own huge hairstyle with our Design a Wig game.

Star Trek Warp Trail

Pick up your guide on arrival

Calling all Starfleet recruits! Discover iconic Star Trek objects and outfits across the museum in this free trail. Set off on a voyage to see legendary items from the Star Trek archives that have been beamed across the galleries. On until 8th Sept. Takes 45 mins.

The Garden

Level -1

For children aged 3-6, this fun interactive gallery is a great way to discover science through play. Your kids can explore the main areas—construction, water, light and sound. While playing, they can find out about floating and sinking, shadows and reflections, and much more.

Power Up

Level -1

In the basement, immerse yourself in our hands-on gaming experience, 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, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart.

Space

Level 0

From rockets to satellites, probes to landers, this gallery showcases some out-of-this world objects. You’ll be able to see a full-sized replica of Eagle—the lander that took astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin to the Moon in 1969. Then discover how we are able to live in space—to breathe, eat, drink and go to the toilet.

Pattern Pod

Level 0

Visit Pattern Pod on the ground floor of the Museum—it’s a fun and stimulating place where children can learn through play to develop their science skills. Children can explore water ripples without getting their feet wet, create symmetrical images on touch screens, follow robot trails and much more. 

Information Age

Level 2

Visit Information Age to find out how our lives have been transformed by information & communication technologies over the last 200 years. Discover how wireless technology saved many lives on the Titanic & spread news of the disaster to the world within hours. Hear the personal stories of the operators who worked on the Enfield Telephone Exchange, the last manual telephone switchboard.

Energy Revolutution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery

Level 2

Looking at the past, present & future of energy systems, the gallery features recognisable & surprising objects, plus interactive exhibits, to highlight how we can journey to a more sustainable world—and our role in achieving that low-carbon future. You can see an electric taxi that’s 100 years old &  marvel at a vast 7 metre tidal turbine blade.

Medicine: The Wellcome Gallery

Level 1

Featuring 3000 objects and covering an area equivalent to 1,500 hospital beds, Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is the magnificent home for the most significant medical collections in the world. You can see the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment

Wonderlab

Level 3

Fuel your imagination and immerse yourself in a world of wonder at the most spectacular interactive gallery in the world. Revealing the beauty of the science and maths that shape our everyday lives, this unmissable experience will ignite your curiosity and fuel your imagination.

Food and Drink

Stop to regain your energy at one of the Science Museum's family friendly cafes and restaurants. There's a diner, several cafes, and even the Shake Bar up on level 3, where you can design your own ice cream tub or get a delicious made-to-order milkshake.

Imax: The Ronson Theatre

Level 0

Experience one of London’s most immersive cinema experiences at the Museum's IMAX. Grab some popcorn and settle in for breathtaking journeys across the wild plains of Antarctica, step back to the wonder year of the T. rex, dive into the secrets of the ocean, or explore life aboard the International Space Station.  

Food and Drink

Before you leave the Palace, take a quick stop at one of the cafes - the beautiful Orangery or the Palace Cafe at the front of the building.

Designer Maker User

Enjoy the museum's free permanent exhibition, Designer Maker User. An introduction to the museum’s collection, this looks at the development of modern design through these three interconnected roles. Plus find Explorer Kits for ages 5-11 on the Work in Progress table.

Create and Make

Each month the Design Museum holds a Sunday drop-in activity for families inspired by the museum and its exhibitions. These informal sessions focus on light-touch design and making activities for children aged 5–11. Check their website for dates and details.

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Delve into Wes Anderson's extensive archive in this first retrospective exhibition devoted to his distinctive cinematic output, produced in collaboration with la Cinémathèque française.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Explore the vision and legacy of Japanese designer and creative director NIGO – from street style to music and beyond, in the first UK exhibition showcasing his multifaceted creative work, alongside vintage objects and traditional crafts from his personal collection.

Explorer Trail

The free Explorer Trail includes creative looking, thinking and drawing activities as you explore the museum and exhibitions. The trail will take approximately 30 - 40 minutes to complete and you can collect it from the Ticket Desk or from a Welcomer when you arrive.

Cafe

Start your day with brunch in one of the museum's cafes, open from 10 am - choose from the Design Kitchen on the 2nd Floor Restaurant or the more casual Design Cafe on the Ground Floor.

Designer Maker User

The museum's permanent exhibit, Designer Maker User, is full of familiar objects kids will love exploring. Find out more about how things are made and experiment by designing things for yourself! The permanent exhibition is free and they also have a free explorer trail you can pick up at the Ticket Desk...if you decide to spend some time inside!

Create and Make

On the last Sunday of every month, the Design Museum holds a drop-in activity for families inspired by the museum and the exhibitions. Free, drop-in, these informal sessions focus on light-touch design and making activities for children aged 5–11.

The Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens is a beautiful, peaceful spot outside the Palace, perfect for families looking to relax and explore. Surrounded by colourful seasonal flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and shady seating areas, it offers a safe, open space where children can wander while adults unwind. At its heart sits the striking statue of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Broadwalk Cafe

Next to the Diana Memorial Playground, the Broadwalk Cafe offers a wide variety of hot food, as well as coffees, cakes and ice cream.

Peter Pan Statue

The Peter Pan statue stands down by the Long Water, providing a great place for a picnic with a bit of duck watching at the same time. It's also part of the Talking Statues project so you can arrange a special call-back from Peter Pan.

Italian Gardens

The Italian Gardens offer a family-friendly setting with a mix of beauty & open space. Set around fountains & ornamental pools, the area has wide paths that are perfect for prams & little legs. Children can enjoy watching the water feature, spotting birds, & exploring the symmetrical layout, while adults take in the historic charm and peaceful atmosphere. You can also find the Italian Gardens Cafe for a snack or leisurely lunch.

Serpentine Galleries

With regularly changing exhibitions and free entry, the Serpentine Galleries are a great place to stop in whilst enjoying your walk through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.

Serpentine Pavilion

Open during the summer months, the Serpentine Pavilion is designed by a different artist each year, and makes for a lovely stop on your route. The Pavilion hosts a small cafe, so a great place to stop for a hot drink or bottle of water for the little ones while admiring the architectural space.

Lido Cafe

With stunning views along The Serpentine and a large alfresco dining area, The Lido Café and Bar provides the ideal setting to drink and dine whilst watching the world go by.

Boating

Hyde Park Boat House

Rent out one of Hyde Park's fleet of pedal and rowing boats, and enjoy the sun from the middle of the Serpentine. You can even rent an electric pedalo, making them perfect for anyone who may find pedalling difficult or fancies a more leisurely sail. Check the website for times, which vary throughout the year.

Diana Memorial Fountain

The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table. Have a sit-down and splash your feet in this beautiful memorial water feature, a great place to stop for a picnic before carrying on around Hyde Park.

Discovery Days

Taking place on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays, there's lots of activities suitable for the whole family including nature trails and arts and crafts at the LookOut in Hyde Park on these Discovery Days.

Courtyard Cafe

As you head down Exhibition Road, enjoy lunch in the Museum's stunning Exhibition Road Courtyard Cafe or go through to the Garden Cafe for snacks, drinks and ice creams. Did you know that this is the UK's first porcelain-tiled public courtyard which has 10,000 bespoke ceramic tiles!

Family Activities

There's plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy at the V&A - take a look at their Families site to find out what's on during your visit.

Backpacks

Head to the Sackler Centre (or the Grand Entrance during holidays) to pick up an activity backpack that will guide 5-12 year olds around the museum, or grab an Agent Animal bag for under 5s.

John Madejski Garden

Have a splash in the John Madejski Garden water feature when the weather is hot. You'll find the outdoor café and picnic areas where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine while the kids enjoy the open space.

Natural History Museum Gardens

Follow the story of how life on Earth has changed over time in the Museum gardens, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today. 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.

Ciné Lumière

Hosting a wide array of events from talks, music, films, exhibitions, this is a great place to go at the end of the day. Ciné Lumière screens French, European and World cinema, combining new releases, repertory screenings, previews and exclusive on-stage events attended by directors and actors. If you are 25 or under you can grab a ticket for a fiver!

Theatre & Performence

Level 2 Rooms 103 -106

Discover the Theatre and Performance Gallery at the V&A, where students can explore the creative world of stage and screen through costumes, set designs, and iconic performances. From theatre and dance to film and live art, the gallery offers an inspiring look at how stories are brought to life, making it a rich resource for studying performance, design, and cultural history.

Jewellery Gallery

Level 3

After the silver galleries, visit the V&A's incredible jewellery collections. Dating back more than 2000 years, there are over 3,000 jewels telling the story of jewellery in Europe from Ancient Greece to the present day. From medieval love rings and pendants given by Elizabeth I to her courtiers to jewels by Cartier to animals by Fabergé and to modern day contemporary makers. 

Photography Centre

Level 2, Rooms 95 -100

The Photography Centre showcases objects from the beginnings of photography to the present day. From pioneering historical techniques to dynamic contemporary practices, the Centre is a place to discover photography’s many histories & explore its extensive impact on our lives. It’s an inspiring space to study visual culture & deepen understanding of how images shape our world.

Tours

If you fancy taking a more logical route through the miles of galleries than just wandering freely, there are a wide variety of free tours to introduce you to the museum's amazing exhibits, with a general intro tour or some more specialised topical ones.

Lates

Join the V&A on the last Friday of every month for a drop-in late event from 6.30-10pm to enjoy an ever-changing, programme of live performances, fashion, film, installations, debates, special guests and DJs, with bars, food, and late-night exhibition openings.

Food and Drink

Start your day with coffee in the V&A's Courtyard Cafe, right at the Exhibition Road entrance and open from 8.30.

Events for Young People

Under 26? You can get involved with free events, creative workshops, and festivals for young people at V&A South Kensington. Explore new skills, meet like-minded creatives, and gain an insight into the creative industries. Take a look at what's on offer.

Medieval & Renaissance

Level 1

The Medieval collections tell the story of early European art and culture from the decline of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance (300 – c.1500). The collection brings together treasures of sacred and secular art from around Europe. Highlights include an early 12th-century ewer in the form of a griffin, and a rare English iron helmet, that may have seen action in the Wars of the Roses.

The Cast Courts

Level 1

The Cast Courts were purpose-built in 1873 for the Museum's collection of copies of art and architecture. At a time when most people could not afford to travel abroad to see important works, it was common for museums to supplement their collections with replicas in plaster. One the cast of Michelangelo's David , is one of the most impressive to survive.

Gilbert Collection

Second Floor

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection celebrates some of the most beautiful objects ever made, many in precious materials, and often on a small scale. It is famous for European and British masterpieces including gold and silver, gold boxes, painted enamels and mosaics. 

Trails

If you don't know where to start with the musuem's huge range of collections, check out these suggested routes and take a wander through your favourite section.

Hintze Hall

Central Building, Ground Floor

You'll find the famous skeleton of 'Hope' the blue whale in this stunning entrance hall, Hinze Hall, and it's a great place to start exploring everything on offer in the amazing Natural History Museum.

Fossils

Central Building, Ground Floor

Enjoy a traditional museum experience by taking a look at the Fossils collection - see some of the most complete fossils of these prehistoric sea animals, including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, and learn about the work of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning.

Behind-the-scenes Tour

Hinze Hall, Central Building

Go behind the scenes with the Museum's knowledgable science educators for a look at the fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit. You’ll encounter numerous treasures hidden among the 22 million animal specimens housed here including Archie, the 8.62-metre-long giant squid.

Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience

West Wing, Zoology Spirit Building

Experience Visions of Nature, which dares to imagine a possible future 100 years from now. Equipped with a mixed reality headset, you'll be transported a century into the future to explore what could lie ahead for the planet. Journey around the globe and become visually and audibly surrounded by the awe and wonder of the future natural world.

Treasures in Cadogan Gallery

Central Building, FIrst Floor

If you want to see the absolute best the Museum has to offer, your first stop should be Treasures. This room contains some of the most wondrous historic items in the Museum's collection. See some of the specimens that helped Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution, a piece of the moon brought back from the Apollo mission or come face to face with Guy the Gorilla.

Natural History Museum Gardens

Follow the story of how life on Earth has changed over time in the gardens, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today. 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 ticket needed. Bring a picnic or enjoy a snack or lunch at the Garden Kitchen - open 9.30 to 4.30 pm

Events at the Natural History Museum

Keep an eye out for some exciting events on at the Museum including a silent disco, climate action evenings, yoga in Hinze Hall, Out of Hours Tours, a fabulous New Years Eve party, a sleepover for grown ups and so much more!

Star Trek Warp Trail

Pick up the Trail Guide on Arrival

Calling all Starfleet recruits! Discover iconic Star Trek objects and outfits across the museum in this free trail. Set off on a voyage to see legendary items from the Star Trek archives that have been beamed across the galleries. On until 8th Sept. Takes 45 mins.

Making the Modern World

Level 0

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.

Who Am I?

Level 1

Who Am I? invites you to explore the science of who you are through intriguing objects, provocative artworks and hands-on exhibits. Discover what your voice sounds like as a member of the opposite sex, morph your face to see what you’ll look like as you age, or collect DNA to catch a criminal in our brand-new interactive exhibits.

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Level 1

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is full of extraordinary medical artefacts, specially commissioned artworks, and interactive exhibits that bring the history of medicine to life. There are thousands of treasures to explore and even an immersive Victorian pharmacy for you to step inside.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery

Level 1

Explore Technicians The David Sainsbury Gallery , where you can discover the vital role technicians play in science, engineering, and creative industries. Through real stories, objects, and interactive displays, it offers insight into practical skills, problem-solving, and career pathways behind the scenes of innovation.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

This stunning space, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is fantastic to sit down and relax for a moment. Whilst it's less interactive, it contains some great pieces, including Florence Nightingale's little-known statistical work, and a wonderfully gruesome collection of glass eyes used in Victorian phrenology. 

Shake Bar

Level 3

Stop for a quick refreshment before you head back out with delicious made-to-order ice cream milkshakes or design your own ice cream tubs at the Shake Bar on Level 3.

Lates

Science Museum Lates are adults-only, after-hours events that give you the chance to explore the museum at night, take part in themed activities and much more. Entry is free. Over 18s only

Queen's Tower

Take in some academic history by sitting in the shade of the beautiful Queen's Tower, all that now remains of the Imperial Institute, which was built to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. 

Blyth Gallery

The Blyth Gallery is an artist-run space for creative exploration of ambitious visual projects, including Imperial College students and staff shows, exhibitions of postgraduate Fine Art student work and work by visiting professional artists.

Exhibitions

This often-missed building contains an exhibition space home to displays that cover a vast range of subjects, often looking at history, science, and art. With over two million items, you can also search through their Collections, which provide an unparalleled resource tracing 500 years of geographical discovery and research.

Foyle Reading Room

If you are looking for somewhere quiet to do some research, try the Foyle Reading Room, which is a modern and comfortable 70-seat space for consulting and researching items in the Society's Collections. Anyone over 16 can register as a reader in the Foyle Reading Room. Open Monday to Friday (full details on the website).

Albert Memorial

Looking across to the Royal Albert Hall, is the Albert Memorial . This is one of London's most ornate monuments and commemorates the death of Prince Albert in 1861 of typhoid. The memorial shows Prince Albert holding the catalogue of the Great Exhibition, held in Hyde Park in 1851, which he inspired and helped to organise. Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial, and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. 

Serpentine Galleries

The Serpentine Galleries sit on either side of the Serpentine, and host a changing variety of fantastic modern art exhibitions and installations. Plus, in the summer, you'll find the Serpentine Pavilion, designed each year by a different architect.

Serpentine Galleries

The Serpentine Galleries, situated in The Royal Parks were established in 1970 and showcase emerging and established contemporary art and architecture. In the summer months the Serpentine Pavilion hosts a series of Park Nights, an annual programme of experimental and interdisciplinary evenings. Entry to the Serpentine Pavilion and Galleries is free.

Boating

Rent out one of Hyde Park's fleet of pedal and rowing boats, and enjoy the sun from the middle of the Serpentine. You can even rent an electric pedalo, making them perfect for anyone who may find pedalling difficult or fancies a more leisurely sail. Check the website for times, which vary throughout the year.

Serpentine Lido Café

South Side of Serpentine

With stunning views along the Serpentine and a large alfresco dining area, the Serpentine Lido Café provides the ideal setting to drink and dine whilst watching the world go by. The Lido Roof Terrace is open seasonally, from the end of May to the beginning of September.

Kensington Palace

While you’re there, take a tour of Kensington Palace - Queen Victoria was born here and lived here until 1837. Experience life as an 18th-century royal courtier whilst making your way through the magnificent King's and Queen's State Apartments adorned with remarkable paintings from the Royal Collection. There are a range of exhibitions to explore including the Queen’s rooms and the elaborate King’s staircase. 

The Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden was created in 1908 at the instigation of King Edward VII, in an area of the gardens previously occupied by potting sheds and greenhouses. This new layout was modelled on the Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace. During her time at Kensington Palace, Diana, Princess of Wales was particularly fond of the Sunken Garden, so to mark the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017 the palace’s gardeners transformed the space into The White Garden in her memory. 

Queen Victoria Statue

Outside Kensington Palace stands a statue of Queen Victoria sculpted by her daughter, Princess Louise, to celebrate 50 years of her mother's reign. It thus shows a young, eighteen-year-old Queen in her coronation robes. The exceptionally gifted Princess Louise was a most accomplished sculptor in her own right. From the memoirs of her nephew Ernst Ludwig we know she was reluctant to make the sculpture but was persuaded by the famous painter Alma Tadema. 

The Italian Gardens

Created in the 1860s, you can find this ornamental water garden on the north side of park, near Lancaster Gate. The gardens are believed to have been a gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria. They are now recognised as being a site of particular importance and are Grade II listed by Historic England.The layout of the Italian Gardens can be traced to Osborne House on The Isle of Wight, where the royal family spent its holidays. Look out for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's initials on one of the walls of the Pump House, at the north of the gardens. 

The Albert Memorial

Head back to Kensington Gardens and admire the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens - it is one of London's most ornate monuments. It commemorates the death of Prince Albert in 1861 of typhoid. The memorial shows Prince Albert holding the catalogue of the Great Exhibition, held in Hyde Park in 1851, which he inspired and helped to organise. Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial, and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. 

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, that takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life. You will pass through four of the eight Royal Parks on this walk: St. James's Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. You can download the map here.

The Diana Memorial Fountain

Take a leisurely stroll through Kensington Gardens towards the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Take a walk around the fountain, which was built in 2004 as a memorial to Princess Diana. The fountain contains 545 pieces of Cornish granite - each shaped by the latest computer-controlled machinery and pieced together using traditional skills.

The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom.

The Great Exhibition 1851

On your route through the Park, you will pass the site of The Great Exhibition in 1851 which was the first international exhibition of manufactured products. It was organised by Henry Cole and Prince Albert, and held in a purpose-built Crystal Palace in Hyde Park with over 6 million visitors. Many of the objects in the Exhibition were used as the first collection for the South Kensington Museum which opened in 1857 and later became the Victoria and Albert Museum. The extraordinary legacy enabled a unique cultural estate to be created which became known as Albertopolis.

Take a tour around the Royal Albert Hall

Directly across from the memorial is the equally impressive Royal Albert Hall. Grab some lunch in the RAH Café Bar before taking a guided tour of the hall. Tours can be pre-booked from the Royal Albert Hall website. The Hall was originally supposed to have been called the Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but the name was changed to the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences by Queen Victoria upon laying the Hall's foundation stone in 1867, in memory of her husband, Prince Albert who had died six years earlier.

Royal History at the V&A

V&A South Kensington was founded to educate designers, manufacturers, and the public in art and design. Its origins lie in the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Museum was founded in 1852 with the profits of the Great Exhibition and moved to its current home in Exhibition Road in 1857. Formerly known as the South Kensington Museum, it was renamed after Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone in 1899.

Browsing the royal jewels

Jewellery Gallery, Level 2

The Museum has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of jewellery in the world. Over 3,000 jewels tell the story of jewellery in Europe from ancient times to the present day. Royal highlights include jewelled pendants given by Elizabeth I to her courtiers, diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia and a gold pendant representing the restoration of the health of George III.

V&A: Europe 1600-1815

Level 0

Downstairs in the Europe 1600 – 1815 galleries over 1100 objects from the V&A’s collections of 17th- and 18th-century European art and design are displayed in a suite of seven galleries. Discover objects made in Europe for some of the period’s most discerning leaders of taste - King Louis XIV, Queen Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great.

British Portrait Minatures

Level 3

The V&A holds the national collection of British portrait miniatures, a unique watercolour art form which developed during the reign of Henry VIII and had its heyday in the reign of Queen Victoria before the rise in popularity of photography. The collection contains over 2000 portrait miniatures including James I and Charles I.

Take a break in the V&A cafe

Designed by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter, the opulently decorated rooms reflect the eclectic tastes of the Victorian era which were opened in 1868. Treat yourself to one of the delicious cakes, scones and a selection of specialty teas. Or if the weather is fine, enjoy the Garden cafe in the courtyard or the new Courtyard Cafe at the Exhibition entrance.

Dora House

The Society is based inside Dora House, a remarkable Arts and Crafts building rich in decorative detail, from stained glass to carved interiors and artist studios — exploring it is part of the experience. Built in 1820 and remodelled in the 1880s for the photography studio Elliot & Fry, it has long been a creative hub. Sculptor Cecil Thomas later lived and worked here, before leaving the house to the Society in the 1970s, securing its future as a home for sculptors.

Sculpture Terrace

While Dora House is closed for restoration until September 2026, the Sculpture Terrace remains open, showcasing a rolling programme of contemporary sculpture. Currently on display is Richard Hudson MRSS's Tear, on view until 11th September.

Exhibitions

The galleries regularly showcase contemporary sculptures by emerging and established artists, often featuring experimental works and unusual materials.

Library

The Goethe-Institut’s library is a quiet hidden gem filled with German literature, design books, films, magazines, and graphic novels. Visitors are welcome to browse, work, or simply enjoy a peaceful break from the bustle of South Kensington.

Film Screenings & Events

Throughout the year, the institut hosts film nights, artist talks, exhibitions, and discussions exploring German and European culture. Keep an eye on the programme for contemporary cinema, photography, and creative workshops.

Language Courses

You might hear snippets of German drifting through the building - the institute runs language classes for all levels, adding to the lively international atmosphere of the space.

Blythe Gallery

Take a wander around the university and then visit Blythe Gallery, tucked away on the 5th floor of the Sherfield Building. The space hosts exhibitions by Imperial staff and students, alongside visiting artists, offering a surprising creative corner within the science campus.

The Queen's Tower

Queen's Lawn

Visible across London, the Queen's Tower is at the heart of Imperial's South Kensington campus. It is all that remains of the Imperial Institute, which was built to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. The Queen's Tower is 287 feet tall, clad in Portland stone and topped by a copper-covered dome. There are 324 steps from the ground to the base of the dome. The bells are rung on Royal Anniversaries.

Exhibitions

The Society hosts a variety of free-to-visit exhibitions, from photography to inspiring stories of explorers past and present. You can simply wander in as you pass by and discover maps, expedition photography, and tales from around the world.

Map Room & Collections

Hidden within the Society are archives containing historic maps, globes, and expedition records. The collections reveal stories of scientific discovery, mountain expeditions, and journeys across some of the world’s most remote landscapes. Highlights from their library collection include David Livingstone’s account of his search for the source of the Nile and historic images from the great Antarctic adventures of Scott and Shackleton to the pioneering journeys of Livingstone and many others.

Monday Night Lectures

The Society regularly hosts talks by explorers, photographers, scientists, and travel writers. From polar expeditions to conservation stories, the programme offers a chance to hear extraordinary adventures first-hand.

Tours

Step behind the scenes to explore hidden corridors, private royal areas, dressing rooms, and the vast auditorium beneath the famous domed ceiling. These tours reveal stories of legendary performers, royal history, and the engineering behind one of the world’s most celebrated concert halls. If you are lucky, you might even catch a rehearsal for the evening show in the magnificent auditorium!

Royal College of Music Museum

Discover a remarkable collection of rare instruments, manuscripts and musical curiosities from centuries of performance history. See one of the world’s oldest surviving guitars alongside unusual instruments designed to imitate birdsong, thunder and other sound effects.

Britten Theatre

The Britten Theatre is where some of the world’s best young singers prepare for future operatic careers, often performing for a fraction of the cost of major opera houses. There are usually several productions each year, and if you pass by at the right moment, you may even catch the sound of rehearsals drifting through the windows.

Leighton House

Leighton House is the studio home of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton - one of the most famous British artists of the Victorian age. He was well acquainted with members of the royal family (Queen Victoria bought his first major painting in 1855) and with most of the great artists, writers and politicians of the late Victorian era. You can see 2 large frescoes he completed at the V&A. Much mystery surrounds his love life - he never married; there are suggestions he fathered a child with one of his models, and that he may have been gay. He is now buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

Leighton House Garden

Designed by Frederic Leighton in the late 19th century, this peaceful garden blends Victorian charm with modern planting, with the De Morgan Café offering a relaxed spot for coffee and easy conversation (if things are going well, you can linger a little longer).

The Arab Hall: Past and Present

Inspired by Frederic Leighton’s travels through Turkey, Egypt and Syria, the stunning Arab Hall is one of the highlights of Leighton House - a richly tiled space brought to life through immersive installations and new perspectives that make it perfect to explore (and talk about) together.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Discover the world of Japanese designer NIGO, whose influence spans fashion, music and street culture. Featuring his own collections alongside vintage pieces and traditional crafts, this first UK exhibition offers plenty to spark easy conversation as you explore.

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Explore Wes Anderson's world through original props and costumes - ideal for film lovers looking for plenty to talk about together. From favourite scenes to the smallest design details, there’s more than enough here to keep both of you noticing new things as you go.

PLATFORM: Simone Brewster

Level 1

Discover the sculptural furniture and contemporary design work of Simone Brewster in this annual display celebrating new voices in design. Her bold shapes, textures and materials make this a striking gallery to wander through together.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

This free permanent display explores highlights from the collection through the eyes of designer, maker and user. From iconic chairs to everyday tech, it’s a fun way to see how design shapes daily life—while sparking conversation, from early mobiles to the tools of a modern first date.

Fables for our Time

Level 2

Displayed across the museum’s large tri-wall installation, Fables for our Time explores environmental change through storytelling, illustration and a specially created language of symbols and emojis. Its playful visuals and contemporary themes make it an engaging stop during your visit.

Design Kitchen

Floor 2

Continue the conversation over drinks with views across Holland Park. Alongside seasonal dishes and afternoon tea inspired by Wes Anderson: The Archives, the Design Kitchen is serving a limited-edition NIGO aperitivo menu until 4th October, featuring Japanese-inspired cocktails including a Yuzu Spritz and Matcha Sour, plus Japanese-inspired snacks and mochi ice cream.

Albert Memorial

One of London’s most ornate monuments, the AAlbert Memorial was commissioned by Queen Victoria after Prince Albert’s death in 1861. Look closely and you’ll spot Albert holding the catalogue for the Great Exhibition of 1851, which helped shape South Kensington into the cultural district it is today. Romantic gestures have changed a bit since then!

Queen Caroline's Temple

Built in 1734 for Queen Caroline, this small classical summer house overlooks the Long Water and remains one of the quieter corners of Kensington Gardens - perfect for escaping the crowds together. While you are there take a look together at some of the graffiti inside the temple, which dates back to 1821 when the park was first open every day to visitors.

Peter Pan Statue

Hidden beside the Long Water in Kensington Gardens, the bronze Peter Pan statue was installed in 1912 by author J.M. Barrie. Surrounded by squirrels, rabbits and mice, it adds a little magic to a walk through the park. As an icebreaker, bring the Peter Pan statue magically to life with your smartphone as part of Talking Statues. Simply swipe your phone on the nearby plaque and get a personal call-back from Peter Pan!

Italian Gardens

Created in the 1860s, the Italian Gardens are believed to have been a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. Look out for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's initials on one of the walls of the Pump House, at the north of the gardens - the ultimate sign of true love!  Ornamental fountains, stone urns and elegant pathways make this one of the most romantic spots for a stroll.

Italian Gardens Café

Take a break beside the fountains with coffee and pastries at the Italian Gardens Café, surrounded by one of the prettiest settings in the Garden. Handy for a reset, a refuel, or just stretching the date a little longer.

The Arch by Henry Moore

Installed in 1980, Henry Moore's monumental bronze sculpture changes shape as you walk around it. At the very least, it gives you both something interesting to look at, just in case you run out of things to say for a moment.

Serpentine North

West Carriage Drive

Set within Kensington Gardens, Serpentine North presents contemporary art in a relaxed gallery setting surrounded by greenery. This season includes works by David Hockney on until 23 August, making it an inspiring stop for art lovers. (You can pre-book tickets or walk up and the average queue time is 10 minutes).

Cafe and Restaurant

Serpentine North

If you're looking for a romantic spot for a drink or bite to eat, stop at Friends of Ours. Set within a striking Zaha Hadid–designed space beside Serpentine North, its floor-to-ceiling windows offer beautiful park views and a constantly changing backdrop of lawns, trees and seasonal colour. Sure to impress!

Serpentine South

Kensington Gardens

Set beside the Serpentine in Kensington Gardens, Serpentine South presents a changing programme of contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year, including works by celebrated artist Cecily Brown (on until 6 Sept) this season. Pair your gallery visit with a lakeside walk or a stop at the nearby Serpentine Pavilion (on until 25 Oct).

Serpentine Pavilion 2026

Serpentine South

Designed by Mexico City–based LANZA atelier, this year’s Serpentine Pavilion features a distinctive ‘crinkle-crankle’ wall inspired by the curves of the nearby Serpentine Lake. With a café inside, it’s the perfect place to pause, admire the architecture, or meet before heading into the park.

Serpentine Bar & Kitchen

Overlooking the lake in the heart of Hyde Park, the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen is an easy stop for coffee, drinks or a casual lunch during your walk through the park. Handy if neither of you is quite ready to call it a day.

Rose Garden

Created in the early 20th century, the Rose Garden is filled with colourful seasonal blooms, ornamental flower beds and quieter pathways, offering an ideal spot for a peaceful stroll together and a great place to capture a selfie together!

Serpentine Lido

The Serpentine Lido has been part of Hyde Park since 1930 and remains one of London’s best-loved outdoor swimming spots. Even if you stay dry, the surrounding lake views and waterside paths make it a lovely place for a wander together.

Diana Memorial Fountain

Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004, the Diana Memorial Fountain was designed to reflect Princess Diana’s spirit and openness. Water flows through the curved granite design in two directions, creating a peaceful spot to pause together in Hyde Park. On a hot day, it is a lovely place to stop and dip your feet in together....

Films in Concert

Watch iconic films accompanied live by a full orchestra in one of the world’s most famous concert halls - an unforgettable date night setting beneath the Royal Albert Hall’s spectacular domed ceiling. Cinematic experiences don't get bigger than this!

Royal Albert Hall Tour

Take a behind-the-scenes tour together and discover the royal boxes, backstage areas and stories from over 150 years of performances.

Science Museum Lates

On selected evenings, the Science Museum opens after hours for adults-only events featuring talks, music, workshops and interactive experiences across the galleries. The relaxed atmosphere makes these popular late openings ideal for an unusual date night in South Kensington.

Power Up Evening Sessions

Challenge your date to retro arcade games and modern favourites during adults-only evening sessions at Power Up. With more than 160 consoles spanning five decades of gaming history, it’s a nostalgic and playful way to spend an evening together, especially if you’re competitive!

Future of Food

Discover how science and innovation could shape the future of what we eat in this free Future of Food exhibition exploring sustainability, new technologies and changing food habits. Expect plenty of surprising ideas and conversation starters along the way. On until 1 Sept.

Star Trek Season

Space, the final frontier...Celebrate 60 years of Star Trek through special screenings, events and a Star Trek Warp Trail exploring one of science fiction’s most influential franchises. Whether you’re lifelong fans or complete newcomers, it’s a fun way to share an evening of classic sci-fi together.

IMAX Cinema

Settle in for an immersive cinema experience on one of the UK’s biggest screens at the Science Museum’s IMAX. With documentaries, science films and blockbuster screenings throughout the year, it’s an easy way to turn a museum visit into a date night.

Exhibitions

Level 0, The Porter Gallery

The Museum's major exhibitions are always worth a visit, bringing together fashion, design, photography & contemporary culture. Current highlights include Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific, & a free display featuring 50 ‘lost’ performance spaces from the 1980s to 2010s - Lost Music Venues.

John Madejski Garden

Level 0

Hidden at the centre of the museum, the John Madejski Garden offers a peaceful courtyard surrounded by the V&A South Kensington's grand Victorian architecture. On sunny days, grab a drink from the café and sit beside the shallow pool and fountains between galleries.

V&A Shop

Level 0

Before you leave, browse beautifully designed books, prints, jewellery and creative gifts inspired by the museum’s collections. The V&A South Kensington shop is the perfect place to pick up a small souvenir for your date.

The Melville Bed

Level 1, British Galleries, Room 54a

The tallest bed in the V&A was commissioned around 1698 by George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville. Draped in crimson velvet and set amongst richly detailed tapestries, it reflected the Dutch-influenced court style of the time. The crimson velvet would have been imported from Italy, while the ivory white silk damask came from China. Too soon to talk about beds??

Theatre & Performance Galleries

Level 2, Rooms 103 - 106

In Theatre & Performance Galleries, step behind the scenes of theatre, opera, music and dance through costumes, stage designs, posters and performance memorabilia. Whether you love film, fashion or live performance, there’s plenty here to discover together.

Photography Centre

Level 2, Rooms 95 -100

One of the largest photography collections in the world is housed here, with galleries ranging from early Victorian photographs to contemporary fashion and portrait photography. Wander through the changing displays together and discover how photography has shaped the way we see the world.

Jewellery Gallery

Level 2, Rooms 91

Explore more than 3,000 jewels spanning over 2,000 years of history, from medieval love rings and royal gemstones to Cartier designs and contemporary pieces. It’s one of the museum’s most dazzling galleries and always a good conversation starter.

Eye Minatures

Level 3, Prints & Drawings Study Room

Eye miniatures were a brief but fascinating trend in late 18th-century portraiture, inspired by the belief that the eyes are the window to the soul. In Britain, they were often exchanged as intimate love tokens. Visit the Prints & Drawings Study Room to view these intriguing keepsakes.

Level 4 Galleries

Level 4, Rooms 133 - 146

If you’re looking for a quieter corner of the museum during the day, head up to the Level 4 furniture and ceramics galleries. Beautifully crafted interiors, decorative objects and far fewer visitors offers an ideal place to slow down and chat while exploring the collections.

Friday Lates

Spend Friday evening exploring the V&A after hours, when the museum stays open until 10pm and the galleries feel calmer and more atmospheric. Enjoy live performances, film screenings, and great music with a DJ setting the tone for the evening.

Morris, Gamble & Poynter Rooms

Stop for coffee and cake in the world’s oldest museum café's, designed in the 1860s by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter. The richly decorated interiors, stained glass and ceramic details make this one of the V&A South Kensington’s most beautiful hidden spaces for a date.

Ciné Lumière

Catch a film at Ciné Lumière, the Institut français’ beautiful Art Deco cinema housed within its Grade II listed building. Named one of London’s best independent cinemas by The Londonist in 2025, it screens contemporary French, European and world cinema throughout the year.

Under 25s Scheme

If you’re under 25, cinema tickets are available for a fiver (no booking fees either!), making this a great affordable date night option in South Kensington. Proof that romance can be memorable and affordable.

Gazette Brasserie

Complete the French experience with coffee, wine or a bite to eat. Share a charcuterie board and a glass of French red in the elegant brasserie inside the Institut français.

Dale Chihuly Chandelier

Cromwell Road Entrance

As you enter the museum, look up to see Dale Chihuly’s dramatic blown-glass chandelier suspended above the entrance hall, assembled from thousands of individually shaped pieces. Each separate glass element was either free-blown or mould-blown into ribbed moulds. Each element was tied individually from bottom to top, and the entire project took over 5 days to complete.

Ceramic Staircase

If you enter from the Courtyard, on the left, is the Ceramic Staircase, one of the most elaborately decorated parts of the Victorian buildings. Completed in 1869, it was once the principal route from the original main entrance, leading up to the Ceramics galleries and the adjoining schools of art & science that shared the site. Look closely and you’ll spot symbols representing science and the arts woven throughout the design.

Cast Courts

Level 0

Explore the vast Cast Courts, built in 1873, which are home to towering plaster copies of some of the world’s most famous sculptures and monuments, including Trajan’s Column from Rome, displayed in two sections to fit inside the gallery. Also look out for the famous cast of Michelangelo’s David.

Jewellery Gallery

Level 2 Room 91

Discover extraordinary jewels including Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond coronet, created for the young monarch in 1840, alongside contemporary designs including the Papillon ring from Beyoncé’s collection.

Theatre and Performance

Level 2, Rooms 103 - 106

The Theatre and Performance collections feature over 3,500 stage costumes & accessories from the mid-18th century to today, showcasing the creativity of designers & costume makers across drama, opera, dance, musicals, pantomime, rock, pop, music hall, film, cabaret, & circus. Look out for an original Star Wars Stormtrooper uniform, Shirley Bassey's stage costume & lots of great theatre costumes!

Design 1900 - Now gallery

Room 74 - 76

Showcasing 250 objects spanning furniture, fashion, technology and graphic design - exploring how design shapes and reflects how we live, work, travel, communicate & consume.  Look out for the first-ever YouTube video, the first Apple iPhone from the 2000s and early Tupperware from the 1960s.

The Great Bed of Ware

Britain, Room 57

Look out for the enormous Great Bed of Ware, large enough to sleep several people and famous enough to be mentioned by Shakespeare. This spectacular four-poster bed is famously over three metres wide – the only known example of a bed of this size, and reputedly able to accommodate at least four couples!

The Melville Bed

British Galleries, Room 54a

The tallest bed in the V&A was commissioned around 1698 by George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville. Draped in crimson velvet and set amongst richly detailed tapestries, it reflected the Dutch-influenced court style of the time. The crimson velvet would have been imported from Italy, while the ivory white silk damask came from China. 

Hintze Hall

Central Building

Begin beneath the giant blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. Measuring more than 25 metres long, it is one of the museum’s most iconic sights as well as the largest creature to have ever lived. The Museum named the whale Hope, as blue whales were hunted to the brink of extinction in the twentieth century, but were also one of the first species that humans decided to save on a global scale.

Mammals Gallery

Central Building, Ground Floor

Explore the Mammals Gallery and discover why elephants are known as 'keystone species', helping shape entire ecosystems by creating pathways, spreading seeds and digging water holes used by other animals.

Smilodon Skeleton

Central Building, Ground Floor

In the Mammals Gallery, look out for the fearsome sabre-toothed tiger skeleton, whose curved canine teeth could grow up to 28 centimetres long. But apparently, scientists have recently discovered that when it comes to its sense of smell, the fearsome predator was on a par with a mouse! You can read more about the findings of the research here.

Stegosaurus Fossil

West Wing, Ground Floor

See one of only two known stegosaurus skeletons ever discovered, offering a rare glimpse into the Jurassic world over 150 million years ago. This specimen was found in Wyoming, USA and is now on display in the Earth Hall standing three metres tall and almost six metres long.

The Vault

Central Building, First Floor

Hidden beneath the museum, the Vaults contain one of the world’s largest collections of coloured diamonds, gemstones and meteorites. You can see the world's largest collection of coloured diamonds (they also glow in the dark), and the Latrobe gold nugget, one of the largest gold crystals ever found.

Events

The museum also hosts curious after-hours events throughout the year, from yoga sessions beneath the giant blue whale in Hintze Hall to late-night silent discos among the dinosaur skeletons and galleries.

Space Gallery

Level 0

There's lots to discover in the Space Gallery, from satellites & a three-billion-year-old piece of the Moon brought back during the Apollo 15 mission, the spacecraft that carried astronaut Tim Peake alongside the spacesuit worn by the first Briton in space, Helen Sharman. See the radio headset used by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong to communicate with Mission Control. 

Alan Turing’s Pilot ACE

Information Age Gallery, Level 2

In 1936, Alan Turing published a groundbreaking paper outlining the idea of a universal machine capable of solving any computational problem—a concept that underpins modern computers. Within a few years, such machines became reality, and by the mid-1950s, large, room-sized computers like the ACE were widely used in institutions and universities.

Enigma Machine

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery, Level 2

See the famous Enigma machine, used during the Second World War to encrypt messages once thought impossible to crack. Germany and its allies relied on Enigma for secure communications, but codebreakers at Bletchley Park ultimately intercepted and deciphered the code.

Dutch Globes

Science City 1550-1800: The Linburn Gallery, Level 2

Explore large celestial and terrestrial globes that helped people understand the Earth and the stars long before satellite navigation. A celestial globe is a three-dimensional model of the heavens, with stars mapped on the outside, used to teach and demonstrate astronomical concepts.

Foucault Pendulum

Level 0

Watch the giant pendulum slowly shift direction throughout the day, demonstrating the Earth rotating beneath your feet. (Part of the Science Museum's The Curios Tour)

'Billy' Doll

Making the Modern World Gallery, Level 0

In Making the Modern World Gallery, discover Billy - a doll created during the AIDS crisis to promote positive LGBTQ+ visibility. Billy was made to help create positive visibility for the gay community and promote safe sex. The later addition of Billy’s boyfriend Carlos in 1998 and best friend Tyson in 1999, sought to champion more diversity in gay representations.

LIGO Beam Splitter

Space Gallery. Level 0

Near the IMAX entrance you'll find a LIGO beam splitter used to detect gravitational waves - tiny ripples in space-time first predicted by Einstein over 100 years ago.

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, this dramatic gallery is shaped around the airflow of an aircraft and filled with beautiful mathematical curiosities and inventions that examine the fundamental role mathematicians, their tools and ideas have played in building the world we live in.

Amy Johnson’s Plane 'Jason'

Flight Gallery, Level 3

Discover the tiny aircraft flown by pioneering aviator Amy Johnson when she became the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia in 1930. She continued to break records throughout her lifetime, including becoming the first person to fly from London to Moscow in one day, with her co-pilot Jack Humphreys. 

The Clockmakers’ Museum

Level 2

The Clockmakers’ Museum is home to one of the world’s oldest collections of clocks and watches, featuring delicate mechanisms, strange inventions and beautifully crafted timepieces spanning hundreds of years.

Free Space Show

The Hans Rausing Lecture Theatre , Level 0

On weekends and holidays, the museum hosts live science shows filled with experiments, explosions and space-themed demonstrations for aspiring astronauts of all ages.

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

West Hall, level 0

The museum’s giant IMAX cinema screens immersive science and nature documentaries beneath one of the largest cinema screens in Britain. It’s an atmospheric hidden escape after exploring the galleries.

Science Afternoon Tea

Gallery Café , Level 2

Finish with the museum’s playful afternoon tea experience, where astronomy, chemistry and invention inspire the menu.

General Visiting

V&A South Kensington is open daily from 10:00–17:45 (last entry 17:15) and Fridays from 10:00–22:00 (some galleries open after 17:45). There is no need to pre-book a ticket for free entry to the museum. Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge. 

Family Trails

Learning Centre

Borrow one of our family backpacks to explore V&A South Kensington through creative and fun multi-sensory activities. Discover curious ceramic objects, architectural inventions and incredible interiors. Our award-winning Backpacks are recommended for 5–12 years. Head to our Learning Centre during your visit and chat to a member of the team to find out more.

Theatre and Performance

Level 2, Rooms 103 - 106

The Theatre and Performance collections feature over 3,500 stage costumes and accessories from the mid-18th century to today, showcasing the creativity of designers and costume makers across drama, opera, dance, musicals, pantomime, rock, pop, music hall, film, cabaret, and circus.

John Madejski Garden

Have a splash in the John Madejski Garden water feature when the weather is hot. You'll find the outdoor café and picnic areas where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine while the kids enjoy the open space.

Family activities

Families can enjoy free activities at the museum every day. During the school holidays, there are hands-on making events and performances to inspire the whole family. The ever-changing programme is designed for all ages and encourages play and learning through the V&A collection and temporary exhibitions.

Europe 1600 – 1815

Level -1, Room 2a

Join the party at the Venetian Carnival as it would have been over 200 years ago, with this interactive film. Dance at a ball, visit a gambling hall and watch a commedia dell'arte performance. Follow Harlequin and imitate his poses to move through your journey. Have fun!

Europe 1600-1815

Level -1, Room 2

When Marie-Antoinette was queen of France it was fashionable for women to have huge hairstyles. To make their hair taller they sometimes used padding made of cow hair. They also used grease made from bear fat and big spiky pins to hold it all in place.  Create your own huge hairstyle with our Design a Wig game.

Events for families at the V&A

Families can enjoy free activities at the museum every day. During the school holidays, there are hands-on making events and performances to inspire the whole family. The ever-changing programme is designed for all ages and encourages play and learning through the V&A collection and temporary exhibitions.

General Visiting

The Natural History Museum is open Mon–Sun, 10:00–17:50 (last entry 17:00). We advise visitors pre-book a free ticket in advance for guaranteed entry or become a Member for priority access. The Museum is closed on 24, 25 & 26 Dec. Book your free general admission ticket

Self guided trail

Start in the Gardens

If you want the full Museum experience, follow this self-guided tour that walks you through some of the biggest sights. It is perfect for families – whether you're a first-timer or a returning visitor. Start your trip in the new gardens before entering through the Central Entrance on Cromwell Road. Your tour should take about two hours.

Natural History Museum Gardens

The Natural History Museum's gardens are ideal for big and small explorers. Say hello to their full-size Diplodocus grazing in a Jurassic garden, come face-to-face with the earliest mammals and walk in the footsteps of our earliest ancestors. As you explore the grassland, wetland and woodland habitats, experience how nature can thrive in urban spaces. No tickets required and it's a great place to bring your sandwiches!

Volcanoes & Earthquakes:

East Wing, Second Floor

See the most intact Stegosaurus fossil skeleton ever found then take a journey through our Earth sculpture to head up to Volcanoes & Earthquakes. Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, and interactive games, explore the natural forces that shape our ever-changing planet. Don't miss the chance to feel the ground shatter beneath your feet in the earthquake simulator!

Hinze Hall

Central Building, Ground Floor

No visit is complete to the Museum without a trip to the magnificent Hintze Hall. Walk beneath the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale. Wander among stunning displays that reflect the story of evolution, diversity in the world today and our role in creating a sustainable future.

Dinosaurs

Central Building, Ground Floor

The Museum's dinosaurs are world-famous. Meet the roaring T. rex, see the skull of a Triceratops and wander among fossils in the Dinosaurs gallery. Explore the different time periods dinosaurs lived, sort the facts from the myths about why they died out and find out what our scientific research has taught us about these prehistoric giants.

Treasures in Cadogan Gallery

Gallery Central Building, First Floor

If you want to see the absolute best the Museum has to offer, your first stop should be Treasures. This room contains some of the most wondrous historic items in the Museum's collection. See some of the specimens that helped Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution, a piece of the moon brought back from the Apollo mission or come face to face with Guy the Gorilla.

Minerals and Vaults

Central Building, First Floor

Feast your eyes on the Museum’s world-leading collection of minerals and gems on display in The Vault, including the amazing 9,381-carat Ostro stone - the largest topaz of its kind. Other highlights include a giant emerald from Zambia known as Medusa, and Tissint – a Martian meteorite that landed in Morocco in 2011.

Water Refill Points

Make sure you bring a water bottle with you as there are plenty of water refill points at the Natural History Museum in the cafes and restaurants!

General Visiting

The Science Museum is open every day except 24, 25 & 26 Dec and you can visit us from 10.00–18.00 (last entry 17.15). Visitors are asked to pre-book a free ticket in advance. Book your free general admission.

Free Family Trails

Set off on a curated journey through the museum by following one of our many fun and free family trails. From a trail of the biggest items in the museum to a tour of the best things to see in the museum if you love space, there really is something for everyone! 

Star Trek Warp Trail

Pick up your guide on arrival

Calling all Starfleet recruits! Discover iconic Star Trek objects and outfits across the museum in this free trail. Set off on a voyage to see legendary items from the Star Trek archives that have been beamed across the galleries. On until 8th Sept. Takes 45 mins.

The Garden

Level -1

Down in the basement of the museum, you'll find an exciting interactive space, created especially for children aged 3-6 and their parents and carers. It's an ideal place to discover science through play, exploring construction, water, light and sound.

Space Gallery

Level 0

The new out-of-this-gallery celebrating human achievements in space is where you can walk among iconic spacecraft & out-of-this-world objects. Must-see exhibits include the radio headset used by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong to communicate with Mission Control, the Sokol spacesuit worn by first Briton in space, Helen Sharman &, in a world first, two human-flown spacecraft (Apollo 10 & Soyuz) displayed next to each other.

Future of Food

Level 1

Explore our free exhibition all about how food must change to protect the planet. From a 3,500-year-old loaf of bread to the first beef steak grown outside a cow, discover thought-provoking objects, hands-on interactive exhibits and compelling digital experiences that show us how we got here—and where we’re going.

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Level 0

Enjoy heart-pounding audio, awe-inspiring images and immersive 3D on one of the biggest screens in the UK. Explore our array of screenings and book your tickets for a unique and unforgettable cinema experience. This is a paid experience but, but book in advance and book for later films in the day to get cheaper ticket prices.

Wonderlab

Level 3

Book your ticket for an unmissable interactive experience at Wonderlab. See lightning strike before your eyes, play with forces on giant slides or travel through space under a canopy of stars whilst seeing the world around you in new and exciting ways.  £17 Day Pass and £24 Annual Pass. Book early for lower prices. Family discounts apply. Ages 3 and under go free.

Pattern Pod

Level 0

An amazing multi-sensory area for children under 9 years old, the Pattern Pod is full of interactive exhibits encouraging them to recognise and copy patterns, or create entirely new ones of their own!

Mathematics: The Winton Gallery

Level 2

The stunning gallery, designed by world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, spans 400 years of human ingenuity, bringing mathematics to life through everyday stories, designs and architecture. Highlights include an Enigma cypher machine from 1934, one of the earliest mechanical calculators and a Handley Page aeroplane.

Information Age

Level 2

Visit Information Age to find out how our lives have been transformed by information and communication technologies over the last 200 years. Discover how wireless technology saved many lives on the Titanic and spread news of the disaster to the world within hours.

Medicine: The Wellcome Gallery

Level 1

Featuring 3000 objects and covering an area equivalent to 1,500 hospital beds, Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is the magnificent home for the most significant medical collections in the world. You can see the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment

Ages 3 and under

Did you know that kids under 3 get free access to Wonderlab, IMAX documentaries (never too early to start learning about the science and our planet!) and Power Up!

The Space Show

Level 0

Join a free family spectacular show! Book online to guarantee seats—limited spaces available on the day. l. There will be flames, fun and a floating plate of whipped cream! Do you have what it takes, aspiring space explorer? Enjoy this exciting live show packed with out-of-this-world science demonstrations, taking place Saturdays & Sundays, as well as every day over the holidays. Age 5-12 years. Show lasts 20 mins

Picinic Areas

The Museum has a handy map that highlights their picnic area outside the Wonderlab gallery on the 3rd floor and also in the basement, near The Garden. The Museum also has a water refill station to charge up your bottles in the middle of most floors. Here is a handy map to help you find your pi

Albert Memorial

The Albert Memorial is a grand monument built to remember Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband. Look up to spot the shining gold statue at the centre, surrounded by colourful figures that celebrate art, science & cultures from around the world. It’s over 50 metres tall—about as high as a 15-storey building! The four big groups around the base represent Europe, Asia, Africa & the Americas. It took over 10 years to build. If you look closely, you can spot lots of tiny details, including animals, instruments and famous artists & scientists.

Broadwalk Cafe

Next to the Diana Memorial Playground, the Broadwalk Cafe offers a wide variety of hot food, as well as coffees, cakes and ice cream. Their cafes offer an affordable children’s menu alongside a grab & go picnic bag made fresh each day.

Italian Gardens

The Italian Gardens offer a family-friendly setting with a mix of beauty & open space. Set around fountains & ornamental pools, the area has wide paths that are perfect for prams & little legs. Children can enjoy watching the water feature, spotting birds, & exploring the symmetrical layout, while adults take in the historic charm and peaceful atmosphere. You can also find the Italian Gardens Cafe for a snack or leisurely lunch.

Peter Pan Statue

West of Long Water

Celebrating Kensington Garden’s famous fictional resident, the bronze statue features Peter Pan surrounded by squirrels, rabbits, mice & fairies. It stands in the same spot as Peter lands his bird-nest boat in the story, ‘The Little White Bird.’ Bring the Peter Pan statue magically to life with your phone, as part of Talking Statues. Simply swipe your phone on the nearby plaque & get a personal call-back from Peter Pan!

Diana Memorial Fountain

The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table. Have a sit-down and splash your feet in this beautiful memorial water feature, a great place to stop for a picnic before carrying on around Hyde Park.

Discovery Days & Family Events

Taking place on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays, there's lots of free activities suitable for the whole family including nature trails and arts and crafts at the LookOut in Hyde Park on these Discovery Days.

Frederic Leighton

Leighton House is the studio home of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton - one of the most famous British artists of the Victorian age. He was well acquainted with members of the royal family (Queen Victoria bought his first major painting in 1855) and with most of the great artists, writers and politicians of the late Victorian era. You can see 2 large frescoes he completed at the V&A. Much mystery surrounds his love life - he never married; there are suggestions he fathered a child with one of his models, and that he may have been gay. He is now buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

The Arab Hall: Past and Present

Explore one of London’s most extraordinary interiors through a new exhibition celebrating the Arab Hall’s rich history and continuing influence. Lined with antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey and Iran, the space becomes the setting for contemporary installations, film and newly uncovered research marking 100 years of Leighton House as a public museum.

Leighton House Garden

Originally designed as a peaceful artistic retreat in the late 19th century, the restored garden blends Victorian inspiration with contemporary planting. The De Morgan Café overlooks the space through floor-to-ceiling windows, making it a quiet spot to pause during your visit.

Dwellings, Rehomed

Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden

Discover imaginative birdhouses created by London designers alongside The Nest, a sensory-friendly installation hidden among the trees in the museum garden.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Explore the creative world of Japanese designer NIGO through fashion, music, street culture and objects from his personal collection, blending vintage design with contemporary creativity. Visitors can be curious with a replica of NIGO’s 1980s teenage bedroom, and examine objects collected and preserved from his youth that shaped his creative influences. Open till 4 Oct

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Delve into the colourful cinematic worlds of Wes Anderson through props, costumes, sketches and objects from across his films in the first retrospective exhibition dedicated to his work. Look out for his spiral-bound notebooks in which the director records ideas, the monumental candy-pink model of the Grand Budapest Hotel and the miniature worlds of Fantastic Mr Fox (2009). On until 16 Aug.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

This free permanent display explores nearly 1,000 objects through the relationship between designer, manufacturer and user, from early mass production to digital design.

Fables of Our Time

Level 2

Fables for our Time is a triptych of stories about environmental urgencies, that uses folktales and a new collection of emoji to examine humanity’s relationship with the natural environment. From afar, the artworks show a meadow with flowers, mushrooms, or a coral reef. Up close, they reveal hundreds of icons representing ecosystems and human interactions, including elements that change, pollute, or mimic nature.

Edward Linley Sambourne

Linley Sambourne (1844–1910) was a British illustrator and cartoonist for Punch magazine, known for his detailed and humorous depictions of Victorian society. His work combined realism with satire, making him a key figure in British illustration.  His most ambitious work, though, was the Diploma award for the International Exhibition of Fisheries, held in South Kensington in 1883

Inside Sambourne House

When the Sambournes moved into the house in 1875, they immediately redecorated it in the fashionable aesthetic style, installing stained glass windows, and Morris & Co. wallpaper.Linley was inspired by the grander houses of some of his artistic friends in the Holland Park Circle. After Linley and Marion’s deaths, the interiors were largely preserved by their children Roy and Maud. As a result, the house today appears much as they left it.

Exhibitions

Explore contemporary and traditional Japanese culture through changing exhibitions, installations and displays. Current exhibition Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai brings together photography across generations, exploring memory, place and identity through powerful imagery.

The Library

The library offers a quiet space to browse books and magazines on Japanese art, architecture, design, food, travel and literature. It is a great place to learn more about a wide range of subjects in Japanese culture and innovation, ranging from architecture, gardening, and aesthetics, to ancient poetry and contemporary manga.

Restaurant & Café

From matcha and wagashi sweets at The Stand to seasonal dining at AKIRA Restaurant, Japan House London offers several ways to experience Japanese food culture. You can also explore Japanese whiskies and signature cocktails at the AKIRA Cocktail Bar, or book the intimate Tatami Room for a quieter dining experience.

The Albert Memorial

The Albert Memorial is a grand monument built to remember Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband. Look up to spot the shining gold statue at the centre, surrounded by colourful figures that celebrate art, science & cultures from around the world. It’s over 50 metres tall—about as high as a 15-storey building! The four big groups around the base represent Europe, Asia, Africa & the Americas. It took over 10 years to build. If you look closely, you can spot lots of tiny details, including animals, instruments and famous artists & scientists.

Coalbrookdale Gates

Look out for the ornate Coalbrookdale Gates, originally created for the Great Exhibition of 1851 by the Coalbrookdale Company, they were moved here in 1871 — look for the small plaques at the base of the pillars. The gates were damaged by a bomb in World War II.

Peter Pan Statue

Hidden beside the Long Water, this much-loved Peter Pan sculpture was installed secretly overnight in 1912. Look closely and you’ll spot tiny animals climbing around its base. It stands in the same spot as Peter lands his bird-nest boat in the story, ‘The Little White Bird.’ Bring the Peter Pan statue magically to life with your phone, as part of Talking Statues. Simply swipe your phone on the nearby plaque & get a personal call-back from Peter Pan!

Italian Gardens

Stroll through the elegant Italian Gardens, where fountains, stone basins and classical sculptures gifted by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria bring a touch of Italy to Kensington Gardens.

Speaker's Corner

Visit the famous Speaker’s Corner, long associated with public debate, protest movements & free speech. From 1906 to 1914 the suffragettes held large & small meetings in Hyde Park as part of their campaign for votes for women. Historic figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin & George Orwell were known to often use the area to demonstrate free speech.Best time to visit, Sundays from 11am. 

Rose Garden

Rose Garden offers a quieter corner near Hyde Park Corner that bursts into colour during the warmer months with fragrant roses and benches tucked away from the busier pathways.

Boating on the Serpentine

Hyde Park has a fleet of rowing and pedalo and rowing boats that you can rent on The Serpentine and enjoy a unique perspective of Hyde Park from the water. You can even hire an electric pedalo if you want to sit back and take it easy! Check online for opening times.

Diana Memorial Fountain

Opened in 2004, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain features flowing water that cascades into a calm pool, symbolising Diana’s life, openness, and spirit. It contains 545 pieces of Cornish granite - each shaped by the latest computer-controlled machinery and pieced together by hand using traditional skills.

Hidden Cafés

Scattered around the parks are small cafés perfect for a pause, from waterside coffee spots beside the Serpentine to tucked-away kiosks beneath the trees.

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art

Level -1

Step into the extraordinary world of Elsa Schiaparelli, where fashion meets art. Surreal couture, bold colours and sculptural designs make this one of the V&A's most visually spectacular exhibitions.

Dale Chihuly Chandelier

Level 0

Look up as you enter the museum to admire Dale Chihuly's blown-glass chandelier. Suspended dramatically above the entrance, its vibrant colours and twisting forms create a recognisable and frequently photographed artwork.

Medieval & Renaissance, Room 50a, The Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery

Level 0

Step into a gallery inspired by the streets and courtyards of Renaissance Europe, where monumental sculptures, fountains and architectural fragments recreate the atmosphere of an Italian city. It's an atmospheric setting that feels worlds away from modern London.

The Cast Courts

Level 0

These soaring double-height galleries house full-size plaster casts of some of the world's greatest sculptures and monuments, including Michelangelo's David and Trajan's Column. Their dramatic scale makes this one of the Museum's most impressive and unexpected spaces.

Sculpture Galleries

Level 0

Home to works by Michelangelo, Bernini and Rodin, these galleries pair dramatic sculptures with elegant architecture and natural light. Whether you're drawn to intricate details or sweeping gallery views, there's plenty to capture.

John Madejski Garden

Level 0

Tucked away at the heart of the museum, this peaceful courtyard is framed by elegant arches, fountains and seasonal planting. Grab a coffee and enjoy one of the V&A's best hidden photo spots.

Morris, Gamble & Poynter Rooms

Level 0

Take a break in the world's oldest museum cafés, where richly decorated Victorian interiors, stained glass and colourful ceramic tiles have welcomed visitors since 1868. It's one of the V&A's most elegant spaces—and a favourite backdrop for photos.

Theatre & Performance Galleries

Level 2

From glittering costumes to elaborate stage sets, these galleries celebrate the creativity behind Britain's performing arts. Look out for iconic outfits and dramatic displays inspired by theatre, music and dance.

Exhibition Road Courtyard

The UK's first porcelain-tiled public courtyard combines contemporary architecture with traditional craftsmanship. Designed by Amanda Levete Architects and paved with over 10,000 handcrafted porcelain tiles, it's a favourite backdrop for photos throughout the year.

Hintze Hall

Central Building, Floor G

Stand beneath Hope, the blue whale, suspended dramatically from the ceiling of Hintze Hall. Then look a little closer at the magnificent Victorian architecture, where intricate terracotta carvings of monkeys, birds and other wildlife are hidden among the arches and columns.

Hintze Hall Grand Staircase

Central Building

One of the Museum's most photogenic spots, the Grand Staircase offers sweeping views across Hintze Hall. As you climb, look out for Alfred Waterhouse's beautifully carved panels celebrating the diversity of life on Earth.

Minerals Gallery

Central Building, Floor 1

Sparkling gemstones, atmospheric Victorian display cases and dramatic lighting make the Minerals Gallery one of the Museum's most visually striking spaces, perfect for colourful close-ups and moodier shots.

Earth Hall Escalator

East Wing, Floor G

Ride the dramatic escalator through the glowing metal Earth suspended above you — one of the museum's signature photo opportunities.

Darwin Centre Cocoon

West Wing, Floor G

The Darwin Centre's striking white Cocoon and glass walkways make this one of the Museum's most unique photo spots. Explore the displays inside and discover hundreds of fascinating specimens along the way.

NHM Gardens

Level G

Newly transformed, the gardens combine prehistoric sculptures, nature trails and beautiful planting with the museum's stunning Romanesque façade as a backdrop.

Guided Tours

Go behind the scenes to discover areas usually closed to the public, including the Royal Retiring Room, private royal spaces and backstage corridors. Along the way you'll hear stories from more than 150 years of remarkable performances while taking in spectacular views across the auditorium.

The Auditorium

Whether you visit for a concert or on a guided tour, take a moment to admire the Hall's spectacular interior. The vast domed ceiling, intricate decorative details and thousands of distinctive red seats create one of London's most recognisable performance spaces.

Albert Memorial

Commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of Prince Albert, this richly decorated monument is covered in gold leaf, colourful marble and intricate sculptures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Walk around each side to appreciate the extraordinary craftsmanship and changing views against the backdrop of Kensington Gardens.

Italian Gardens

Created in the 1860s, these elegant ornamental gardens are filled with fountains, stone urns and classical sculptures inspired by the great Italian Renaissance gardens. Symmetrical pathways and peaceful pools make this one of Kensington Gardens' most picturesque corners throughout the year.

Serpentine North

Discover David Hockney's first exhibition at Serpentine, centred around his monumental A Year in Normandie. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, the panoramic work captures the changing seasons in Normandy, while new paintings celebrate the beauty of everyday landscapes.

The Magazine Café & Restaurant

Take a break at The Magazine, the Zaha Hadid-designed café beside Serpentine North. Its sweeping glass architecture, light-filled interiors and leafy Hyde Park views make it one of the area's most photogenic cafés.

Serpentine South

British artist Cecily Brown returns to the UK with her first major institutional exhibition of paintings in two decades. Inspired by Kensington Gardens, Picture Making fills the gallery with expressive brushwork, vivid colour and dreamlike woodland scenes.

Serpentine Pavilion

Designed by Mexico City-based LANZA atelier, this year's Serpentine Pavilion features a distinctive crinkle-crankle wall inspired by the curves of the nearby lake. With its sculptural form and seasonal café, it's one of London's must-visit architectural landmarks, and an easy addition to your camera roll.

Jesús Rafael Soto: Pénétrable BBL Jaune

Step inside this immersive artwork by pioneering kinetic artist Jesús Rafael Soto. Made from 4,000 suspended yellow tubes, the vibrant installation shifts with every movement, creating a playful, eye-catching backdrop that's made to be experienced – and photographed.

NIGO: From Japan with Love

Level -1

Discover the world of Japanese designer NIGO through fashion, music, furniture and street culture. Bold displays, colourful collaborations and rare archive pieces create plenty of eye-catching moments for your camera roll.

Wes Anderson: The Archives

Level G

Step inside Wes Anderson's unmistakable world through original props, costumes and storyboards from his most celebrated films. Symmetrical sets, pastel palettes and meticulous details make this one of the museum's most Instagram-worthy exhibitions.

Designer Maker User

Level 2

Explore over 1,000 objects spanning furniture, fashion, transport and technology. Full of iconic designs and unexpected details, this free gallery is packed with inspiration and shareable moments.

Fables for our Time

Level 2

This striking three-storey installation uses bold illustrations, symbols and colour to explore environmental change through storytelling. Look up as you enter to appreciate its impressive scale.

The Design Kitchen

Level 2

Refuel with afternoon tea, coffee or a seasonal cocktail at the Design Kitchen, overlooking Holland Park. Beautifully presented dishes, Japanese-inspired treats and floor-to-ceiling windows make it an ideal stop before sharing your day's highlights.

Explore Leighton House

Explore the spectacular Arab Hall, browse Leighton House's Victorian paintings, drawings and sculpture, and discover a changing programme of exhibitions and creative events.

Garden & De Morgan Café

Escape to the tranquil Victorian garden, where original ornamental features, mature planting and peaceful lawns have welcomed visitors for more than 150 years. Overlooking the garden, the light-filled De Morgan Café serves seasonal food, coffee and cakes — an ideal place to pause and capture one last picture.