Explore the history of scientific and industrial developments and achievements of our world that allow us to live in the way we do by visiting one of London's most popular museums...
The Science Museum in London showcases many industrial, engineering, and scientific accomplishments and artifacts from hundreds of years of world history.
It draws in over three million visitors each year and there are over seven million items kept in the museum’s collection including a number of very famous objects on display:
There are many galleries and artifacts within the museum to visit and explore with a number of interactive activities to enjoy.
The initial idea of a science museum grew from the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. Prince Albert expressed that excess money from the exhibition should be used for educational purposes.
The first museum called the South Kensington Museum was opened in 1857 and is situated where the current Victoria and Albert Museum stands now and contained industrial and scientific collections.
The scientific aspects of the collections grew and when buildings were built on Exhibition Road for the International Exhibition of 1862, the scientific and industrial parts were moved across to this venue.
In 1909, after the Victoria and Albert Museum was opened as an art museum, the science, engineering, and industry part of the collections were taken under their own administrative authority and officially named the Science Museum.
Extension to the original buildings began in 1913 designed by Sir Richard Allison but nationwide financial issues meant postponements to further developments in the 1930s.
The old buildings were demolished in 1949 and over the next 10 years, the current building was constructed.
The collections have expanded over time and include the opening of ‘outstations’ in different parts of the UK (The National Railway Museum in York in 1975 and the National Museum of Photography in Bradford in 1983). There was an official name change that encompassed the other museums to the ‘National Museum of Science and Industry’ in 1984.
The Wellcome Trust sponsored the opening of a new wing in 1996 along with a new gallery called ‘Making the Modern World’.
The museum is split over five floors with permanent galleries as seen below, along with a number of changing temporary exhibitions;
During school holidays the museum is open every day of the week from 10am until 6pm (however it closes for a short time over the Christmas period) .
During term time it is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm. The galleries start to close down approximately 30 minutes before the museum officially shuts.
General entrance to the museum is free and can be booked online or by phone on 0330 058 0058. Tickets can be accessed on the day at the museum itself but there is no guaranteed availability or access. The Pattern Pod and The Garden are also free but tickets must be booked in advance.
The Wonderlab, Fly 360°, the IMAX theatre and certain special exhibitions cost to visit, and can be pre-booked via the website.
It takes approximately 2 hours to visit the museum.
Guided tours are currently not available due to the COVID pandemic. Virtual tours and collection overviews can be accessed online at www.sciencemuseum.org.uk. For visually impaired visitors there is an Audio Eyes app that can be downloaded and this describes certain main exhibits and the tactile displays.
Bags may be checked on arrival and certain items are prohibited. Large suitcases and bags are not allowed in the museum. Prohibited items include alcohol, animals (with the exception of Guide and Assistance dogs), balloons and potentially dangerous items such as knives or fireworks.
There are chargeable self service lockers on Level -1 for guests to use
Most of the lifts within the museum are wheelchair accessible with audible announcements and Braille labelling. There is currently no access to the Mezzanine floors in two areas due to ongoing issues.
Accessible toilets are available on all levels of the museum and the Wellcome Wing. There is also a Changing Places toilet available between the Exploring Space gallery and the Energy Hall which can be accessed with a RADAR key (or alternatively speak to a member of staff for access).
Wheelchairs and folding stools can be borrowed from the museum. Wheelchairs can be booked in advance or picked up on the day (however there is no guarantee of availability without booking).
Hearing loops are fitted at all information and ticket desks and also in the Hans Rausing Theatre (Level 0) and the show space in the Wonderlab gallery (Level 3).
British Sign Language (BSL) is incorporated into certain films and many of the films shown have subtitles.
Large print guides for certain galleries are no longer available in the museum, however there are versions available to download.
There are tactile objects accessible in three of the galleries which have Braille and large print labels. These can be found in; Science City 1550-1800: The Linbury Gallery, Information Age and Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries.
Guide and Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.
Baby changing facilities can be found in three areas - Level -1 (access via lift D), Level 0 (next to the Exploring Space gallery) and Level 2 (between Mathematics:The Winton Gallery and Information Age.
Breastfeeding is welcomed anywhere on the museum site.
A family room is available for use on Level -1.
Toilets can be found on all levels of the museum.
Eating and drinking is only permitted in specifically designated areas. The picnic area can be found on level 3.
A number of outlets throughout the museum serve food:
There is free Wifi available in the museum for guests to use when visiting.
There is a small shop on Level 3 but the main museum gift shop selling many Science based gifts is on Level 0.
Smoking, including that of e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere within the museum.
Guests are permitted to take photos/videos using handheld cameras/phones for personal/non-commercial use only. Photos and filming are prohibited in certain areas but these are clearly marked as such.
The Science Museum is located on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.
It is surrounded by the Victoria and Albert Museum to the east, The Royal College of Music and Kensington Gardens to the north and The Natural History Museum and Cromwell Road to the south.
By Tube
The nearest tube station is South Kensington (Circle and District line) which is a two minute walk from the museum. Another nearby station is Gloucester Road (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) which is approximately an eight minute walk from the museum.
By Train
The nearest mainline overland train stations are Paddington and Victoria (both approximately a 35 minute walk from the museum) which can take you out of the City and to other parts of the UK.
By Car
Driving in central London is not recommended due to lack of, and price of, parking and also due to the congestion charge which applies to vehicles entering this central zone. However if it is necessary to drive, the nearest car parks to the museum are the Chelsea Cloisters car park, ParkBee at the nearby Holiday Inn or Kingston House Garage South which can be all booked online.
There are no parking facilities at the museum and on-street parking is limited around it. There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces on Exhibition Road where badge holders can park for four hours. These are first-come, first-served, and cannot be booked.
By Boat
Westminster Pier is the nearest pier, although this is approximately a one-hour walk from the museum.
By Bus
The following bus services pass close by to the museum - 70, 345, 360 and 430.
Due to the location of the museum there are numerous options for accommodation in the central London vicinity.
From hostels and budget hotel options all the way through to five star luxury, there are many places to stay.
Central London, by its nature as a capital city, has many attractions to see and things to do. Just a few of the many options available in the vicinity of the museum are:
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General entry to the Science Museum is free. To ensure guaranteed admission, tickets need to be still booked online. The Wonderlab, Fly 360°, the IMAX theatre and certain special exhibitions cost to visit, and can be pre-booked via the website.
It takes approximately 2 hours to go around the Science Museum.
Drinks can be taken into the Science Museum, however, they should only be consumed in designated areas.
No, there are no dinosaurs at the Science Museum.
There are many galleries and exhibits to see and explore at the Science Museum. With over seven million items contained (not all on display at once) the items illustrate the history and development of science, industry, and engineering throughout the world.
The Science Museum became a museum in its own right in 1909 making it over 110 years old.
There are five floors to explore at the Science Museum.
The Science Museum is not based within London’s congestion charge zone however you may need to plan your route to the museum carefully if driving as some routes may pass through it.
The nearest tube station to the Science Museum is South Kensington.
The Science Museum is in London travel zone 1.
On average there are more than three million people visiting the Science Museum each year.
Aimed at children aged 7 - 14 the Wonderlab is an interactive experience allowing children to see the world around them in a new way in seven zones. Exploration is through live demonstrations and shows.
The Science Museum was not founded by any one person, rather it was developed from ideas after the Great Exhibition where there was a collection of scientific items that were deemed to require their own premises.
The Science Museum became a museum in its own right in 1909.
The building which currently houses the Science museum was designed by Sir Richard Allison.