What to do · London
Science Museum
Information
- Price
- Free with booking · Wonderlab from £13.50
- Duration
- 2 h 30
- Who it's for
- All ages
What it is and what you see
The Science Museum is London's great museum of science and technology, on Exhibition Road, next to the Natural History Museum. It was founded in 1857 and in 2025 more than 2.8 million people visited.
Some pieces you should not miss:
- The Apollo 10 command module.
- Puffing Billy, one of the oldest surviving steam locomotives.
- Babbage's Difference Engine No. 2.
And some galleries: Space, now on level 0; Flight; Information Age; and Power Up, devoted to video games. Some galleries have partial closures: check the website beforehand.
Wonderlab
Wonderlab is the hands-on experiment hall, with more than 50 interactive exhibits and live shows during the day, included in the ticket. It is designed for children aged 7 to 14, although all ages enjoy it. It is paid:
- Day pass: from £13.50; the price varies by day and is cheaper if you book earlier.
- Under 3s: free.
- Families: 3 to 5 people, with a maximum of 2 adults, £3 off per pass.
- Opening hours: every day 10:00 to 17:40.
Most people spend between one and two hours. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. In school holidays tickets sell out: the museum does not guarantee that any will be left on the day. Some shows have loud, sudden noises, which are announced.
Opening hours
Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:15. Galleries start to close half an hour earlier. Closed from 24 to 26 December and the odd day: in 2026, for example, on 26 November it closes at 17:00.
Entry and booking
Entry is free, but you must first book a free timed ticket on the museum's website. Wonderlab and some temporary exhibitions are paid separately.
How long
Two to three hours, with Wonderlab included. If you have already done the Natural History Museum in the morning, leave the Science Museum for the afternoon and focus on Wonderlab and one or two galleries.
Getting there
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD. The Tube station is South Kensington. With contactless or Oyster, as we explain in Oyster and contactless.
With children and teenagers
With children aged 7 to 14, Wonderlab is what works best. Teenagers like Power Up and the space galleries. With small children, the museum is large: choose the galleries beforehand. There are lifts and staff help if you need them.
Tips
- Book Wonderlab in advance It is cheaper and in the holidays it sells out.
- Combine it with the Natural History Museum One in the morning and the other in the afternoon: they are door to door.
- Leave before 17:30 The galleries close half an hour before the museum.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Science Museum free?
Yes, but you must book a free timed ticket. Wonderlab and some exhibitions are paid.
How much does Wonderlab cost?
From £13.50 for the day pass, cheaper if you book earlier. Under 3s do not pay.
What ages is Wonderlab for?
It is designed for children aged 7 to 14, although all ages like it.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagers
