London - Science Museum
First computer, first locomotive and Apollo 10 Space capsule
The Science Museum has numerous hands-on working displays from the Victorian Bathroom to the Space Age.
Do-it-yourself takes on a completely different meaning at the Science Museum. This is a museum adored by children (fathers too). Visitors can experience the major scientific advances of the past 300 years while at the same time enjoy the many hands-on interactive activities on offer.
London - The Science Museum - How It All Started
Who would have thought, way back in 1852 when a Museum of Ornamental Art opened, that this would lead to the birth of today’s world-renowned Science Museum. The collection began to broaden its base as loans from various libraries and government departments started to share space with the art collection. Some of those early contributions included a collection of scientific instruments; Puffing Billy - the world’s oldest steam locomotive which constructed in 1813; Stephenson’s Rocket, and many, many more.
In 1898 it was recommended that there should be a division of the arts and science sections and the following year the Victoria and Albert Museum was built. By 1913 the science collections were moved to buildings on their present site, which were expanded over the years until the final extension was opened in 1977 - to become Britain’s foremost museum of science.
London - The Science Museum - For Children
The Science Museum holds the world's largest and most significant collection illustrating the history and contemporary practice of science, technology, medicine and industry. And if all this sounds a bit worthy and possibly dull, the reality of the place is quite the opposite. Children often learn best when they are having fun while doing so. The iMax film theatre shows nature and science in fabulous 3D; they can have a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how science and technology worked in the making of the film trilogy The Lord of the Rings, and an interactive display allows them the opportunity to be shrunk to the size of a hobbit. There’s plenty of fun to be found at this museum. (Adults must be accompanied by children!)
London - Science Museum - Seven Floors of Exhibitions
The huge breadth of scientific knowldege and history, filling seven floors, can be a bit overwhelming. If you are a real science junky you will probably stay the course and spend most of your holiday here. But for the average person who might just want to see the stars of the show, it would be a good idea to make a list of what you really want to do before you arrive and stick to it, spending quality time on those exhibits that interest you. It’s just too easy to be distracted by the gems in this treasure house.
London - Places to eat:
- If you are on a strict budget a good plan would be to buy some food to bring with you. There’s an area on the first floor where seats are provided.
- Revolution Cafe on the ground floor is self-service and serves sandwiches, salad and soup, plus some hot meals.
- Deep Blue is a family restaurant on the ground floor at the back of the museum which offers a variety of dishes dishes from pasta to pizza and lots inbetween. Activity boxes are provided for younger children.
Further Info:
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD.
Tel: 0870 870 4868
Open 10am – 6pm every day except 24 to 26 December.
Entry is free, but charges apply for the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions.
The nearest tube station is South Kensington on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.
