The Science Museum is where you can learn about science through objects, stories and hands-on exhibits. It is on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, very close to our favourite museum, the Natural History Museum.
Its mix of free galleries and interactive experiences makes it an excellent family visit if you are visiting London with children. If you go with older children, we particularly recommend booking Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery—that is the full name of one ticketed gallery, rather than two separate attractions.
The Science Museum was founded in 1857 and welcomes millions of visitors each year.
Science Museum London: opening hours, tickets and how to get there
| Opening times | Daily, 10.00 am–6.00 pm. Last entry is 5.15 pm and galleries begin closing 30 minutes before the museum closes. Closed on 24, 25 and 26 December. Check the museum’s website for any additional temporary closures. |
| Address | Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD. (Open in Google Maps). |
| How to get there | Underground: South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines) is about a five-minute walk away. Gloucester Road is another option, about 15 minutes away. Bus: Routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 and C1 stop outside South Kensington Underground station. Always check live TfL information before travelling. |
| Tickets | General admission is free, but you need to pre-book a free admission ticket. Wonderlab, Power Up, IMAX films and some temporary exhibitions or activities have separate tickets. |
How to get to the Science Museum
Science Museum: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD.
Underground: South Kensington is the nearest station and is in Zone 1 on the Circle, District and Piccadilly lines. The walk to the museum takes about five minutes. Gloucester Road is served by the same lines and is about a 15-minute walk away.
The nearest step-free Underground station is Knightsbridge, around 15–20 minutes away on foot; buses 14, 74 and C1 connect Knightsbridge with South Kensington. Check the museum’s current travel guidance and TfL status information before setting out.
Science Museum opening hours
The Science Museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December. Last entry is at 5.15 pm, and the galleries start to close at 5.30 pm.
The museum occasionally changes opening hours or closes individual galleries for maintenance and events, so check the official visit page shortly before you go.
Science Museum tickets and prices
General admission is free for adults and children, but the museum asks visitors to book a free timed ticket in advance. Your arrival window is printed on the ticket.
Most permanent galleries are free. Wonderlab, Power Up, IMAX screenings and some temporary exhibitions and activities cost extra, with prices depending on the date and experience. Book them directly with the museum; booking ahead can also be cheaper for some experiences. The old claim that the Science Museum’s IMAX cinema is included with the London Pass no longer appears in the pass benefits and should not be relied on.
Buggies are allowed in most galleries. Free buggy parking is available in the Spare Room opposite The Garden on level -1, although belongings are left at your own risk. Baby-changing facilities are available throughout the museum.
What to see at the Science Museum London
The museum is large and its gallery layout changes as spaces are refurbished, so download the latest museum map rather than relying on an old floor-by-floor list. These are the highlights we would prioritise:
Free galleries and family favourites
- Space: See rockets, satellites, the Apollo 10 command module and a real piece of Moon rock. We loved seeing genuine spacecraft objects rather than just models—the real satellites, not the dish from the balcony at home!
- Making the Modern World: A journey through 250 years of science and technology, including the Apollo 10 command module and an early Apple computer. It is one of the best galleries for seeing how familiar inventions developed.
- Energy Hall: Large steam engines and the story of how steam power transformed transport and British industry.
- Flight: Full-size aircraft and aero-engines from different periods. If you liked planes as a child, this is the gallery that can take you straight back.
- Information Age: More than 200 years of communication technology and the networks that changed how we share information.
- Mathematics: The Winton Gallery: A beautifully designed gallery showing how mathematics shapes everyday life.
- Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries: A major collection exploring how medicine has transformed life across different cultures and periods.
- Energy Revolution: A free gallery about the technologies and choices involved in moving towards lower-carbon energy.
- The Garden: A hands-on space designed especially for children aged 3–6, with construction, water, light and sound activities. This is a good first stop with younger children.
- Pattern Pod: A free multisensory area for children aged 3–8 to recognise and create patterns.
Ticketed experiences
- Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery: Our top recommendation for families with curious children, particularly ages 7–14. It has more than 50 hands-on exhibits, live science demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to experiment. Book a timed ticket separately.
- Power Up: A hands-on gaming experience covering consoles and video games from the past 50 years. It has a separate ticket and is especially good for older children and teenagers.
- IMAX: The Ronson Theatre: One of the biggest cinema screens in the UK, showing large-format science documentaries and selected feature films. Film times and prices vary, so check the programme and book separately.
Temporary exhibitions, science shows and gallery closures change throughout the year. Check the museum’s current See and do listings when planning your day.
Is the London Science Museum worth a visit?
In our opinion, a visit to the Science Museum is great fun whether you go with children or not, as there are plenty of objects and spaces designed to surprise adults too.
It is in the same area as two of London’s other major museums. Because general admission is free, you do not need to see everything in one visit: stay for a couple of hours, choose a few galleries or add a ticketed experience, then continue with your route around South Kensington.
In short, we recommend visiting the Science Museum. It is worth including whether you are travelling as a family or as adults.
What to see near the Science Museum in London
With its location in South Kensington, the Science Museum is close to several attractions, museums and parks. These are easy to combine with your visit:
- Natural History Museum: Our favourite museum and the one where we would spend the most time.
- Victoria & Albert Museum: Specialising in art, design and fashion.
- Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: Two adjoining green spaces that are ideal for a walk or picnic.
- Holland Park: A smaller park with plenty of charm.
- Harrods: The famous Knightsbridge department store, worth seeing even if you do not plan to shop.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.