the home of science, arts and inspiration

Some things to do today

Google Arts & Culture: The Natural History Museum

Online
Natural History Museum
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Explore a story of natural history discovery in an interactive experience, Making Natural History, Dive into the museum's 80 million specimens, encounter a prehistoric marine reptile in virtual reality, discover pioneering Museum research, navigate the galleries in 360 degrees & take a tour of exhibits tackling natural history themes,

Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries

Daily
10-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Showcasing extraordinary medical artefacts including the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment.

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 Egerton House Hotel

Daily
The Egerton Hotel
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In the heart of Knightsbridge, on a quiet street overlooking private gardens, discover this enchanting boutique townhouse. Moments from Harrods and the V&A Museum, a passionate team welcomes each guest like family. With a unique character and beautiful traditional style, enjoy a delicious breakfast, Afternoon Tea by the fire or sip on one of London’s most famous martinis.

Energy Hall

Daily
10am-6pm (last entry 5:15pm)
Science Museum
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Trace the remarkable story of steam and how it shaped the world we live in today. Steam has been the driving force behind British industry for 300 years. Without it, the Industrial Revolution could never have happened. Even now, steam provides 75% of the electricity we use every day.

Professional Development at the V&A

Online & onsite
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Develop the professional skills you need to work in today's museum sector. Led by expert staff, these intensive part-time courses use V&A case studies to provide unique insights into our collections, work and best practice.

Hyde Park Self Guided Walks

All Year Round
Hyde Park
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Discover the magic of Hyde Park and head on a self-guided walk. All of the activities are guaranteed to get you walking and discovering interesting things about the history, wildlife and horticulture around you.

HABA Yoshitaka

Daily
10am-8pm; Sun 12noon-6pm
Japan House London
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The Library at Japan House offers a new approach to appreciate and engage with books, by displaying books in a particular way, and through bookshelf exhibitions curated by HABA Yoshitaka of BACH, a book specialist in Japan.

Mission to Mercury: Bepi Colombo

Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Come face-to-face with a full-size engineering model of BepiColombo, the European Space Agency’s first ever spacecraft to explore Mercury. Standing over six metres tall, this Structural Thermal Model (STM) of the spacecraft was used to test BepiColombo’s resilience during its seven-year journey to Mercury.

Victoria: A Royal Childhood

Wed to Sun
10am-6pm
Kensington Palace
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Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace. Explore how an indulged young princess blossomed into the independent and iconic monarch we remember.

The K Bar

Daily
The Kensington
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The ambience of The Kensington hotel’s discreet cocktail bar is set by its elegant décor: the oak panels, polished brass accents, mirrored walls and slate floor lend a strong, sophisticated feel that is matched by the creative and classic cocktails mixed by the immaculate staff.

Dining at The Kensington

The Kensington
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The natural charm of the hotel’s Drawing Rooms with their open fireplaces, colourful artwork and pretty objects d’art, provide the ultimate in luxurious yet relaxed living. The Drawing Room offers hotel guests and visitors an enticing selection of fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced menus throughout the day, including a quintessentially English Afternoon Tea.

Knightsbridge Hotel

Knightsbridge Hotel
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Knightsbridge Hotel is located in a tree-lined street just a short walk to Harrods and the V&A Museum, Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. There are 44 individually designed bedrooms and suites, as well as a drawing room and library serving afternoon tea all day long. The hotel provides 24 hour room service.

Number Sixteen

Daily
Number Sixteen
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Number Sixteen forms part of a mid-Victorian white stucco terrace and is situated in the quiet leafy street in South Kensington. The hotel has a beautiful tree-filled garden, which is perfect on a sunny day for dining, drinking, relaxing or entertaining friends. There are 42 individually designed bedrooms, a drawing room and library as well as The Orangery restaurant, which serves delicious seasonal food and Afternoon Tea all day.

V&A Photography Centre

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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The Photography Centre at the V&A houses over 600 spellbinding photos including some of the oldest known photographs to modern masters. The Museum began acquiring photographs in 1852, and its collection is now one of the largest and most important in the world.

Under the sea 3D (U)

Dates & Times vary
Science Museum
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Narrated by Jim Carrey and using incredible 3D technology, Under the Sea will leap off the screen and take you on a fascinating journey to discover the mysteries of the ocean floor.

Flight Gallery

Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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From mankind's earliest dreams of flying to the wide-body aeroplanes of today, discover the amazing story of flight. Overhead walkways allow you to get up close to planes suspended in the air while you learn about the incredible people who led this innovation in transport.

The Ampersand Hotel

Daily
The Ampersand Hotel
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The Ampersand Hotel is an elegant restored Victorian treasure, a small luxury hotel with a unique concept, uniting guests with the local surrounding area through the five themes of botany, music, geometry, ornithology and astronomy.

Akira

Tue-Sat
Lunch 12-3pm; Afternoon Tea 2:30-4:30pm; Dinner 6pm-11pm
Japan House London
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The Japanese restaurant, Akira, is on the first floor of Japan House London. Named The restaurant presents an authentic Japanese dining experience based on Akira’s ‘trinity of cooking’ principles – food, tableware and presentation. AKIRA is now offering a takeaway service.

Stein's Berlin Restaurant

Wed-Sat 12-11pm
Tues 12-9pm; Sun 12-8pm
Goethe-Institut
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Stein's Berlin Restaurant is a new and exciting addition to the well loved Stein's group of German restaurants. ​Their modern contemporary restaurant inside a Grade 2 listed building also features a fantastic terrace overlooking Princes Gardens. ​

The Cadogan Gallery

Daily
Natural History Museum
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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.From a meteorite to Darwin's pigeons, uncover some of the most extraordinary specimens in our collection.

Ceramics

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Visit the V&A's amazing collection of ceramics, first opened in 1868. The galleries include the stunning Ceramic Staircase which was designed by Frank Moody, a master in the Schools of Design, together with his students.

La Médiathèque

Daily
Institut français
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This is the largest French library in the UK, and also contains the Bibliothèque Quentin Blake, which is full of exciting and educational materials for children up to 12.

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.