The London Science Museum in South Kensington attracts 3.3 million science enthusiasts each year. The huge museum has over 250,000 items in their collection, including rockets, antique airplanes, vintage cameras, and much more.
If you’re interested in taking a look during your trip to London, this guide will help you make the most of your visit.
History Of The Science Museum
The London Science Museum was founded by a man named Bennet Woodcroft in 1857. Back then, the museum was known as the South Kensington Museum and displayed both scientific items and art. In 1862, the Science Collection moved into its own building on Exhibition Road, and in 1893 a new director was appointed to oversee it.
While the Science Collection and Art Collection were displayed in different buildings, they were still technically part of the same museum. That all changed in 1909. That year, the Art Collection was renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Collection became the London Science Museum.
After the Science Museum became its own independent entity, the directors decided to build a bigger building so they could expand their collection. They started working on the East Block in 1913 but had to delay construction when World War I began. The building was finally completed in 1928.
Expansion
As the years went by, the museum continued expanding. In 1931 a Children’s Gallery opened, complete with interactive exhibits. This was the first sign that the museum was beginning to prioritise visits from members of the public over specialists and researchers.
It was followed in 1980 by the opening of the Lower & Upper Wellcome Galleries, and in 2000 the museum opened the Wellcome Wing, containing a state-of-the-art IMAX theatre.
The Science Museum is still growing and expanding today.
The new Medicine galleries, due to open in 2019, will share personal stories about how medicine has changed people’s lives. They will also display fascinating medical tools from throughout history.
Highlights
The London Science Museum is full of historical exhibits, scientific artifacts, and displays that predict where technology is going in the future. If you want to learn more about the history of space travel, check out the Exploring Space gallery on Level 0. This gallery is filled with rockets, satellites, and space probes. You can even see a piece of the moon here.
While you’re on Level 0, check out the Energy Hall. This hall shows how steam power has developed and changed over the past 300 years and includes George Stephenson’s iconic Rocket locomotive. You can also see an authentic mill engine from 1903.
Great For Kids
If you’re visiting the London Science Museum with kids, be sure to check out some of the interactive galleries. This includes the fun Who Am I? gallery. In this gallery, you and your little ones can learn more about what makes you, you.
You’ll get to morph your face to see what it looks like at different ages, hear what your voice would sound like if you were the opposite sex, and more. This thought-provoking gallery is interesting for visitors of all ages.
The London Science Museum also has a gallery that provides in-depth information about our modern digital age. This gallery, The Information Age, discusses the ways that communication has changed in the past 200 years, and shows how our lives have been transformed by information.
On the top floor of the museum, you’ll find an exhibit that’s perfect for anyone who’s interested in airplanes. The Flight Gallery has antique planes on display, and it discusses the achievements in air travel in Britain and around the world. For a fee, you can also hop into a 3D flight simulator and pilot your own plane.
These are just a few of the many fascinating galleries in the London Science Museum. The Science Museum has exhibits that are perfect for every type of science enthusiast.
It offers fascinating exhibits for visitors of all ages. If you want to learn about the scientific achievements of the past few centuries, it’s the perfect destination.
Getting The Most From Your Visit To The Science Museum
Like all national museums in the UK, the London Science Museum is free to visit.
However, there are some parts of the museum that have a fee. This includes the IMAX theatre, the flight simulators, and many of the specials exhibits. You’ll find the prices for these exhibits and the IMAX movies on the
London Science Museum’s website.
The museum is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm with the last entry at 5:15pm. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to get to the museum right when it opens.
Typically, the museum won’t fill up until midday, so if you go in the morning, you’ll get to enjoy a few hours of quiet. Also, if you can, try to go on a weekday — the museum is busiest on Saturdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually quietest.
The London Science Museum is huge, with tons of different exhibits to see. If your time is limited, take a look through the museum’s map before you go and check out all the exhibits available. Then plan out which exhibits you’d like to visit.
If you’re thinking of doing lunch at the museum, there are plenty of places to eat. Each level of the museum has its own café that serves everything from sandwiches to salads to ice cream. You can also bring a packed lunch and eat it at museum.
How To Get To The Science Museum
The closest tube station is South Kensington. Walk out of the station onto Thurloe Road, and then make the first left onto Exhibition Road. From there, it’s just a five-minute walk to the museum entrance.
You can also take the bus. The 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 and Cl buses all stop in front of South Kensington Tube Station. The 9, 10, 52, 452 and 70 buses all stop in front of the Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore, which is about a 10-minute walk from the museum.
If you need help mapping out your trip, check out the Transport for London Journey Planner. Here, you can pop in your starting address and destination, and the transport planner will tell you the best route to take.
In summary, then, the London Science Museum is the perfect fun, but educational, trip for the entire family…
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