the home of science, arts and inspiration

Some things to do today

Hiring the Royal Albert Hall

Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

There is limited availability to hire the iconic auditorium but with a broad selection of event spaces outside the main auditorium, the Hall is the ideal venue to host daytime meetings or bespoke evening functions with capacities from 12 to 500 people.

Imperial College London Venue Hire

Imperial College London
Map
Visit Website

The South Kensington Campus offers a diverse range of spaces, from grade II listed buildings to modern meeting spaces all in one great central location. From venues for conferences, meetings, training sessions to private parties, weddings, dinners and receptions.

Room Hire at Institut français

Institut français
Map
Visit Website

The Institut can accommodate functions with a cultural focus, from large-scale parties to small group events. It also provides a stunning backdrop for filming and photoshoots. The Ciné lumière can also host private screenings for up to 229 people.

Venue hire at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Map
Visit Website

The Society provides the perfect location for everything from strategy away-days to investor relation events and major conferences, with meeting rooms and the Ondaatje Theatre offering capacities from 20 to 700 delegates. There are also private dining spaces for parties, dinners and weddings.

Hire the Royal College of Music

Royal College of Music
Map
Visit Website

As part of our continued investment in facilities, the Royal College of Music is embarking on a major £40m project to create a range of new spaces, including new performance areas and public spaces. Currently they are not accepting commercial or external event bookings.

Hire the Look Out in Hyde Park

Hyde Park
Map
Visit Website

The LookOut is an enclosed and flexible event space set within an acre of beautiful gardens in the heart of Hyde Park. A great venue for hosting conferences, private celebrations, press events and summer parties.

Holding events Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens

Hyde Park
Map
Visit Website

The Royal Parks have a history of hosting events from small events such as sponsored runs, community sports, guided walks, competitions, picnics etc to major events and celebrations.

Venue hire at Kensington Palace

Wed - Sun
Kensington Palace
Map
Visit Website

Discover the stylish spaces available for events at Kensington Palace catering for weddings, stylish dinners and receptions, private tours or for staging large-scale commercial events.

Gallery Hire at Serpentine

Serpentine
Map
Visit Website

Available for corporate and private hire, Serpentine South Gallery and Serpentine North Gallery and the Magazine restaurant are contemporary art spaces in which to hold beautiful events.

Institut Français at Your School

Online & From School
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

A range of possibilities for your school including the French Box, a collection of resources available for hire, activities with the Bibliothèque Quentin Blake team for 3-12 year olds and with the Language Centre team for 7-18 year olds.

French Day à la Carte

Booking required
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

A full day of French culture including a visit to the Institute's library - storytelling for younger children, and useful resources for teens - and a viewing of a celebrated French film, chosen by you with the help of the Institute's staff.

School Screenings

Contact for film times
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Bring your class to watch a celebrated French film from the general programme at Ciné Lumière – £5 per student, free for teachers.

Natural History Museum Resources

Online
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

A collection of resources for teachers from the Natural History Museum. With options for all ages, these can build on a trip to the museum, or can even be used if you haven't had the chance to visit!

V&A Schools

Special event dates vary
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

A wide variety of possibilities at the V&A for primary & secondary school children. Including information about planning a visit, discovery sessions, literacy live storytelling, practical workshops and special events.

Private Room Hire at Ognisko Polskie

Ognisko Polskie
Visit Website

Ognisko is well suited to large corporate events, exhibitions, product launches, gala dinners, fashion shows, weddings and other private functions.

Venue hire at the V&A

V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

The magnificent gallery spaces and stunning John Madejski Garden combine to make the V&A a unique venue for corporate entertaining. The Museum is available to hire for a range of events, from breakfasts and private views to fundraising dinners and awards ceremonies. Also available for filming.

Venue hire at the Design Museum

Design Museum
Map
Visit Website

Host your event in London’s newest venue located on Kensington High Street with beautiful views over Holland Park. The stunningly refurbished 1960s building features an incredible hyperbolic paraboloid roof and features seven beautiful spaces for hire.

Venue hire at the Science Museum

Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

The museum offers the perfect destination for an inspirational and accessible event experience. The Science Museum has a wide range of unique galleries and blank canvas spaces to accommodate from 10 to 1500 guests for either events in the day or evening.

Venue hire at the Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

The Natural History Museum is one of London's most iconic venues. Its magnificent architecture and collections create the perfect backdrop for any event. From informal and intimate to creative and spectacular, the Museum's variety of spaces will suit any corporate event, private party or wedding.

Learning resources at the Science Museum

Online
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

This site brings together learning resources from their four Museums, including activities, games and videos. Browse all the resources and discover activities to support a range of curriculum topics for use in the classroom, in museum galleries and beyond.

The Vault

Daily
Natural History Museum
Map
Visit Website

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.

V&A Secret Seekers

Online
V&A South Kensington
Map
Visit Website

Set off on a treasure hunt to unlock the secrets of the museum hidden in its walls. Meet a cast of characters, collect gems and reveal the museum's secrets!

The Sunken Garden

Wed - Sun
9.30-17.45
Kensington Palace
Map
Visit Website

The beautiful Sunken Garden was planted in 1908, transforming part of the gardens previously occupied by potting sheds into a tranquil ornamental garden. Today, the garden continues the tradition of rotational flower displays in the spring and summer.

The Italian Gardens

Daily
Kensington Gardens
Map
Visit Website

The Italian Gardens is a 150-year-old ornamental water garden located on the north side of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate. It is believed to have been created as a gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria.