Summer in South Ken
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.
NAOMI In Fashion
Gallery 40
NAOMI In Fashion - explore the extraordinary career of fashion model Naomi Campbell. Delve into Campbell’s personal wardrobe of haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles from key moments in her career, displayed alongside loans from designer archives and objects from the V&A’s collections.
Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail
Across the V&A
Explore a free trail across V&A South Kensington celebrating Taylor Swift, with a range of her iconic looks on display.
Photography Centre
Galleries 100 and 101
The expanded Photography Centre at V&A South Kensington is the largest space in the UK dedicated to a permanent photography collection – hosting a world-leading programme of displays, events, and opportunities for research. Pioneering historical techniques to dynamic contemporary practices will be on display, from an exploration of AI to a walk-in camera obscura. More details can be found here.
Family Fun Activities
Pick up one of our free family backpacks and resources and explore the V&A through creative and fun multi-sensory activities. Build, make, move and explore with family-friendly events, trails, games and activities. Head to our Learning Centre during your visit and chat to a member of the team to find out more.
Summer Family Festival: Build!
Throughout the Museum
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of the Tropical Modernism exhibition, architecture and illustration. Dive into a day filled with immersive workshops, hands-on activities, and captivating performances. All families are invited to take part in a diverse array of creative experiences that foster kindness, community, and spark ideas for new worlds.
Nature Study: Ecology and the Contemporary Photobook
Photography Centre
Explore this display where works of contemporary artists reflect an ongoing transformation in how humans understand and impact the natural world. These books are diverse in subject, geography and form but share a common thread of collaborative practice, curiosity and reverence of our natural world.
Metalworking Now
Silver, Room 66, The Whiteley Galleries
Take a look at the display of recent acquisition highlights from the contemporary metalwork collection.
Tours at the V&A
Dome, Cromwell Road Entrance
We have a great variety of free daily tours to fuel your curiosity. From collection highlights such as fashion, architecture, and theatre to female voices and LGBTQIA+ highlights. Our full list of tours can be found here.
Patric Prince: Digital Art Visionary
Leighton, Room 102
Explore visionary collector Patric D. Prince's unique collection of digital art and the fascinating collaborations and use of technology it reveals. The 14 works on display provide a snapshot of digital art practices from the 1960s to early 2000s.
Henry Willett's Collection of Popular Pottery
Ceramics Galleries, Room 146
From animal menageries to souvenirs of early balloon flight, the 19th-century philanthropist Henry Willett collected an eccentric array of pottery. Loaned from Brighton Museum, this display showcases more than 300 years of popular British history.
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. Book your free general admission ticket.
New Gardens open
The Natural History Museum's new gardens open from 18 July 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 our grassland, wetland and woodland habitats, experience how nature can thrive in urban spaces.
Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre
Waterhouse Gallery
A hoot for all the family, our new exhibition invites you into their world like never before! Today there’s more than 11,000 species. From pigeons to penguins, ostriches to ospreys, birds live on every single continent on Earth, so what’s the secret to their success? From sucking blood to bathing in acid, our feathered friends have found surprising, clever and downright freaky ways to survive.
The River
Jerwood Gallery
Dive into the depths of the River Thames in this captivating art installation by Jana Winderen. Experience new and unique recordings that unveil the beauty and significance of underwater sound and explores how human-made noises can contribute to sound pollution in our waters. The River is the third edition of the Museum's art programme. Free.
John James Audubon and his Birds of America
Blue Zone
This free display of prints from John James Audubon’s book The Birds of America reaffirms why it continues to inspire artists, bird experts and conservationists alike. Published between 1827 and 1838, the 435 prints transformed bird illustration through using realistic proportions, animated poses and innovative new printing techniques.
Volcanoes & Earthquakes:
Red Zone
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, 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!
Hintze Hall
Green Zone
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.
General Visiting
The Science Museum is open every day (except 24, 25 and 26 December) 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 some of the more unexpected objects you might find, there’s something for everyone!
Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery
Level 2
Discover how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably to limit climate change in our new, free gallery. See a pioneering electric taxi that’s 100 years old, challenge yourself to balance electricity supply and demand in one of our interactive games, and marvel at a vast seven metre tidal turbine blade.
Turn it Up: The Power of Music
Level 1
Play with beats and melody in this family-friendly, interactive exhibition all about the impact music has on all of us. Step into a unique musical playground, see weird and wonderful instruments and explore how music unlocks emotions and creates unforgettable memories. Book your tickets now for this fun-filled experience!
Power Up
Level -1
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.
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.
Wonderlab
Level 3
Book your ticket this summer 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.
General Visiting
The Hall is open at 9am on show dates. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information. Our café, restaurant and gift shop are located at Door 12. This is also where tours start.
BBC Proms
The BBC Proms is the world's biggest and longest-running classical music festival, held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall. Whether you're a first-time visitor or an experienced Prommer you are sure to be blown away by the glittering array of artists and orchestras from around the world. 19th July – 14th September
Royal Albert Hall Tours
Door 12
See the jaw-dropping auditorium and the stage that’s hosted some of the world’s biggest change-makers, history-shapers & stars. You’ll discover how the building was founded 150 years ago, the royal love story that made it happen, and how we solved one of the UK’s most enduring engineering challenges – the Royal Albert Hall echo. You might even be lucky enough to hear an artist in soundcheck!
Afternoon Tea
We’ve been observing the tradition of Afternoon Tea for over 100 years, even serving royalty with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II for the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Institute. Today, we are proud to continue this ritual with a Royal Albert Hall flair. Our menu features classic finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a whimsical mix of musically-inspired cakes as a nod to the legendary performances that take place on our stage.
Verdi Italian Kitchen
Grand Tier (Level 1)
Verdi Italian Kitchen is a relaxed restaurant offering satisfying Italian favourites in a family-friendly setting.
Summer in South Kensington
From free museum galleries to explore, to extraordinary exhibitions, magical musical performances, stunning outdoor gardens and behind-the-scenes tours – take a look at our South Ken summer highlights.
South Ken Digital Guide
If you plan to visit the area, check out the free digital guide to the museums, galleries, parks & cultural venues in South Kensington. Download the Bloomberg Connects app and explore London's home of the arts and sciences.