Science Museum
Museum exploring science, technology, medicine and engineering with interactive galleries and an IMAX cinema
Museum exploring science, technology, medicine and engineering with interactive galleries and an IMAX cinema
From Stephenson's Rocket to the Apollo 10 command module, the Science Museum traces 300 years of human ingenuity across seven floors. Hands-on exhibits, an IMAX cinema and the ticketed Wonderlab gallery make it one of London's best days out for families.
The museum sits on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, steps from the Natural History Museum and V&A. Late-night openings for adults, seasonal exhibitions and Science Night sleepovers for children mean there is always something beyond the permanent collection worth planning around.
The Science Museum grew out of the Great Exhibition of 1851, when surplus items from the Crystal Palace were gathered into what became the South Kensington Museum. It formally separated from the V&A in 1909 and moved into its current building on Exhibition Road in 1928. The stripped-back Portland-stone facade was deliberately plain — the drama was always meant to be inside.
Post-war expansion added the Wellcome Wing in 2000, a £50-million project designed by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard. The museum now holds over 300,000 objects, from Charles Babbage's Difference Engine to an early Cray supercomputer. Only a fraction is on show at any time, with the rest stored at a facility in Wroughton, Wiltshire.
Seven floors cover everything from steam power to space exploration. The ground-floor Making the Modern World gallery is the best starting point, housing Stephenson's Rocket, a Ford Model T and the Apollo 10 capsule in a single chronological sweep. Upstairs, the Flight gallery on Level 3 suspends dozens of aircraft overhead, and the neighbouring Space gallery traces humanity's journey beyond Earth.
Wonderlab on Level 3 is the museum's ticketed interactive zone, aimed at families but engaging for all ages. Live demonstrations run every 30 minutes, covering chemistry reactions, friction and electricity. On Level 2, the Information Age gallery maps the story of communication from the telegraph to the smartphone using over 800 objects.
The museum's IMAX cinema screens science and nature documentaries on a five-storey screen. Shows run throughout the day and tickets can be booked online in advance. For adults, Science Museum Lates take place on the last Wednesday of each month, offering themed evening access with bars, DJs and talks until 22:00.
Science Night sleepovers run several times a year for children aged 7–11, who sleep in the galleries surrounded by rockets and locomotives. School-holiday workshops and toddler-friendly Explorer sessions round out the family programme. Check the website before you visit — popular events sell out weeks ahead.
Under 3s free for Wonderlab. Members get free IMAX and exhibition entry.
Timed tickets sell out fast during weekends and school holidays. Book online at least a day ahead to guarantee entry.
Making the Modern World gives you a chronological overview from 1750 to today. It is the best way to orient yourself before exploring specialist galleries.
The main Exhibition Road entrance can queue at peak times. The side entrance on Queens Gate has shorter waits and step-free access.
The Natural History Museum is next door and the V&A is across the road. All three are free and you can comfortably visit two in a day.
The last Wednesday of each month is adults only from 18:30 to 22:00. Themes vary and entry is free, but registration is required.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 5, 2026
