Museum · Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London
| Monday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 18:00 |
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
The Science Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington is Britain's national museum of science, technology, engineering and medicine, founded in 1857 and independent since 26 June 1909. It grew out of the same body as the Victoria and Albert Museum next door: the South Kensington Museum held art and science together until the science collections were renamed in 1885, given their own director in 1893 and finally separated when construction of the present building began in 1914.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
The route through the main building starts in the Energy Hall, where the beam engines include the oldest surviving one built by James Watt, alongside a reconstruction of Watt's garret workshop assembled from more than 8,300 objects removed from a room that had been sealed since his death in 1819.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
Allow two and a half hours. That covers the Energy Hall, Making the Modern World, one upper-floor gallery and either Wonderlab or Flight, which is about as much as a single visit sustains before the exhibits stop registering. Families should plan differently: Wonderlab and Power Up are timed, staffed, hands-on spaces where children settle in and do not want to move, so a family visit built around one of them plus the Energy Hall is more successful than a sweep of the building.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
Open daily 10:00-18:00, last admission 17:15; closed 24-26 December. Dated closures, ceremonies, performances, weather or security notices from the operator take priority over ordinary hours. Arrive early enough to complete the public route before final admission. Follow staff directions on arrival.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
General admission is free with a recommended timed ticket; IMAX, Wonderlab and special exhibitions charge separately. The base amount and currency follow the operator tariff; premium products and separate institutions remain excluded unless named.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
South Kensington Underground connects by the museum pedestrian tunnel. Use the named entrance and station because security, separate exits and large complexes can change the practical route. Allow extra time for screening and the final walk. Follow staff directions on arrival.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
Step-free entrance, lifts, accessible toilets, wheelchairs and sensory resources serve all public floors. Historic surfaces, crowds and security remain relevant.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
Individual exhibitions may post their own photography rules at the door; follow those. The Energy Hall is the best-lit space in the building, a tall top-lit room where the beam engines read as clean silhouettes against the glazing and where a phone camera does as well as anything.
Checked 2026-08-31 · Source
Open daily 10:00-18:00, last admission 17:15; closed 24-26 December.
General admission is free with a recommended timed ticket; IMAX, Wonderlab and special exhibitions charge separately.
Step-free entrance, lifts, accessible toilets, wheelchairs and sensory resources serve all public floors.
South Kensington Underground connects by the museum pedestrian tunnel.
Yes. Events, ceremonies, maintenance and security can alter the ordinary route or timetable.
No. Special tours, exhibitions and upgrades use separate tickets when offered.
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Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
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