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What's On

The Kensington

Daily
The Kensington
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Traditional service and Victorian grandeur come together with sleek style and contemporary comfort at the Kensington, in one of London’s most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods. Embrace a sophisticated member’s club vibe, whether over afternoon tea or all day dining in the light, lively drawing rooms, cocktails in the glamorous K Bar.

The King's State Apartments

Wednesday to Sunday
10:30-5pm; last admission 4pm
Kensington Palace
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This is the ideal time to explore Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in Victoria's re-imagined childhood rooms and the magnificent King's State Apartments and Queen's State Apartments.

The Long Time Sessions

Free Online
Ongoing
Serpentine
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A fortnightly online talk series on cultivating care for the world beyond our lifetimes. It brings together leading thinkers and doers from art, culture, philosophy, science, technology, law, finance and politics to take a longer view. Speakers will explore how engaging with the long-term can change the way we act in the short term.

The Magazine Restaurant

Tue - Sun
10.30am - 6.30pm
Serpentine
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The restaurant was designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The Magazine restaurant offers a contemporary all-day menu, a kids menu, homemade ice creams and cocktails. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

The Milestone

Daily
The Milestone
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Discover old world charm, beautiful rich furnishings, exquisite original arts, outstanding cuisine and an experienced and passionate team. This elegant historic hotel is perfectly located opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens, and close to the Royal Albert Hall. Enjoy Stable’s Bar and the signature ‘Smoking Old Fashioned’, Afternoon Tea in the Park Lounge or dine in Cheneston’s or The Oratory, the stunning original chapel.

The Pelham London – Starhotels Collezione

Daily
The Pelham
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The Pelham is an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of South Kensington. It has the aristocratic atmosphere of a London townhouse and its interiors are a romantic mix of elegant patterns and rich tones, complemented by the warm welcome and flawless service of a noble residence.

The Queen's State Apartments

Daily
Kensington Palace
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William III and Mary II were crowned as joint monarchs in 1689, after they were invited by Parliament to take the throne in the place of Catholic King James II, Mary’s father. They bought Kensington Palace to become their new home, away from the bustle of Whitehall Palace, and transformed the building into a royal home.

The Raphael Court

Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Rediscover the newly refurbished V&A’s Raphael Court - home to the iconic Raphael Cartoons. Commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X for the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, they depict the lives of the apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The Rembrandt

Daily
The Rembrandt
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The Rembrandt is a four-star hotel bursting with culture and history. The beautifully modernised Edwardian rooms were originally apartments for Harrods. The Rembrandt also boasts modern event suites, a stylish restaurant, plus Aquilla Health and Fitness featuring an indoor pool.

The Royal College of Music Museum & Guided Tours

10:15am–5:45pm
Royal College of Music
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The Royal College of Music's Museum offers a unique opportunity to interact with over 500 years of musical history. Items include the world’s oldest guitar and earliest keyboard instrument with strings. Enjoy a tour of the Museum, led by their knowledgeable team on Wednesdays at 12:30pm.

The Royal Parks Podcast

Online
The Royal Parks
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A podcast series where you can take a behind-the-scenes look at the eight Royal Parks. Meet some of the incredible experts who work at The Royal Parks and discover the fascinating stories of these iconic green spaces.

The Serpentine Lido Cafe

Daily
The Royal Parks
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What better location to host a celebration this summer than overlooking the Serpentine in London’s largest Royal Park. Choose from a variety of hot and cold food options including a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Serves a selection of teas, specialty coffees and is licensed for alcohol.

The Shop at Japan House London

Mon to Sat
10am-8pm
Japan House London
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Recognised as the cultural home of Japan in London, be inspired by the beautifully displayed cabinets that blur the lines between a gallery and a store. From crafts rooted in Japanese traditions to one-of-a-kind pieces by artists, each product has a story to tell and will make a wonderful gift this Christmas.

The V&A Story

Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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From its early beginnings to the foundation stone laid by Queen Victoria in 1899, to today's state-of-the-art galleries, the Museum has constantly evolved in its collecting and public interpretation of art and design. Its collections span 5,000 years of human creativity in virtually every medium, housed in one of the finest groups of Victorian and modern buildings in Britain.

The V&A's Glass Collection

Open Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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The V&A's glass collection is one of the largest and the most comprehensive in the world, showcasing the development of design and technology in glass-making over 3,500 years. Find the exhibition in rooms 131, 129 and 83-84.

The Vanderbilt Hotel

Daily
The Vanderbilt
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The 4-star Vanderbilt hotel is a 19th century, Grade II listed townhouse situated on Cromwell Road. Combining historical features with modern style, the beautiful bedrooms and Italian marble bathrooms all boast individual layouts, thanks to the building’s history.

The Vault

Daily
Natural History Museum
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Some of nature's most unique and valuable treasures are on display in the Vault gallery. See the world's largest collection of coloured diamonds, discover gems that glow in the dark, and marvel at rare meteorites from out of this world.

Theatre & Performence

Daily
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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The collections document current practice and the history of all areas of performing arts in the UK, including drama, dance, opera, circus, puppetry, comedy, musical theatre, costume, set design, pantomime, popular music and much more...

Thomas J Price at the V&A

Until 27th May
10am-6pm
V&A South Kensington
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British artist Thomas J Price is celebrated for his arresting yet contemplative sculptures depicting everyday people. This display sets his work in dialogue with the V&A's historic collections.

Ticket Mate Fund

Daily
Design Museum
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The Design Museum has launched a new pay it forward scheme in partnership with local charities, including The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, The scheme is aimed at offering free access to the museum's temporary exhibitions to young people and adults in the local community for whom price might be a barrier to participation - including those most affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

Today’s Masters Meet Tomorrow’s Talents

14th - 19th May
11am - 7pm
Cromwell Place
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Part of London Craft week. This exhibition celebrates the results from craft talents collaborating with master artisans across Europe during the first edition of Homo Faber Fellowship, a programme that facilitates the transmission of skills from one generation to the next

Tomorrow's World

Daily
10am-5:45pm
Science Museum
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How do today’s scientific discoveries shape tomorrow’s world? Get the scoop on the most surprising science stories and the biggest breakthroughs in the Tomorrow's World gallery.

Tour of the Great Exhibition

Online
The Royal Parks
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Navigate through a virtual Crystal Palace and experience Prince Albert's great achievement and see what captured the hearts of the Victorian world.

Treasures

Open Daily
Natural History Museum
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Explore 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years of the Earth's history in this collection of some of the museum's most extraordinary specimens.. Each exhibit tells a remarkable story and has been chosen for its scientific, historical and cultural importance.