Science Museum
Hands-on galleries from steam engines and Apollo 10 to space and medicine; great for families and free.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
Photo: Shadowssettle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
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- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Opening hours
- Daily 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:15; free ticket needed)
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 120 min
- Official website
- sciencemuseum.org.uk
What to expect
The Science Museum stands on Exhibition Road in South Kensington and was founded in 1857. Its present building opened in stages between 1919 and 1928, and the Wellcome Wing was added in 2000. Entry is free, although special exhibitions may charge. It has a mix of historic objects and hands-on galleries, which makes it a good choice for families.
Galleries run over several floors. Making the Modern World holds Puffing Billy, the oldest surviving steam locomotive. Exploring Space has the Apollo 10 command module, Charlie Brown. The Energy Hall has steam engines, including the oldest surviving Watt beam engine, and Wonderlab is a hands-on gallery with live demonstrations. There is also an IMAX cinema, and Power Up has more than 150 video game consoles.
Don't miss
- The Apollo 10 command module
- Puffing Billy steam locomotive
- The Babbage Difference Engine No. 2
- Aircraft in the Flight gallery
- Wonderlab hands-on experiments
Tips for your visit
- Pick two or three galleries and do those well, as the museum is very large.
- Go early in the day, before the popular galleries fill up.
- It is next to the Natural History Museum and the V&A, so choose one or two for the day.
- Check the website for the monthly adults-only evening events.
Getting there from Trafalgar Square
🚇 15 min by Tube (line District / Circle: Westminster → South Kensington) · 4.2 km · 53 min walk
Where to eat nearby
- Ognisko Restaurant (European · £££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 4 min walk
- Casa Brindisa (European · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 5 min walk
- Daquise (European · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 6 min walk
- Ceru (World · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 8 min walk
- Serpentine Lido Café (Café · £ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 15 min walk
Breakfast nearby
No breakfast spot within a 15-minute walk. Have breakfast near your hotel or in the centre before you go.
Other sights nearby
- Natural History Museum · Museum · 🚶 0.2 km · 3 min walk
- Victoria and Albert Museum · Museum · 🚶 0.3 km · 4 min walk
- Harrods · Shopping · 🚶 1.1 km · 14 min walk
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