The Science Museum South Kensington

The Science Museum – A Favourite Museum of Bob

The Science Museum in South Kensington has attracted Bob again and again during his lifetime. It was as a young child that he was first brought to the Science Museum by his engineer father who himself told stories of when he was a child in the 1920′s and walked to Kensington from his home in Camden Town, several miles away.
Today its as popular as ever to people of all ages. If you are an “arts’ person don’t let the title put you off, its attractive at many  levels.

Free Entry

Like all London’s major museums and art galleries there is no admission charge. Free doesn’t mean the exhibits are inferior, this museum really is world class. A decade or so ago the government did withdraw its subsidy and admission charges were introduced for just a brief period.
One of the great things about free entry is that you can come back again and again and take in the exhibits in bite sized periods of a couple of hours or so. If you have a real interest in the subject matter you could easly spend well over a day in here.
Like all the “free” museums and art galleries in London there are a lot of signs encouraging you to make a voluntary donation. The suggested amount is currently £5. Bob stood at the main exit for 10 minutes and only saw one person make such a donation.
Again like all the “free” museums and art galleries in London although the core museum is free there are special exhibitions and special attractions like an IMAX cinema that are not free.

Great For Kids

‘The Basement’ is a great place to take your kids as an escape from overdosing on culture and history in London. Its that perfect combination for parents of something that is fun and educational at the same time. Lots of interactive educational exhibits - though if you look around there are an awful lot of rather big  kids in the basement that are equally enthralled. 

Visiting The Main Exhibition Floors

Its worth visiting the official web site prior to your visit. There is a constant stream of workshops, experiments and lectures that you might want to schedule around.
The museum itself has 5 main floors including the Basement. At first sight it doesn’t look that big from the main entrance. What is not immediately apparent is that the museum goes far further back than is immediately apparent with three major exhibition halls, one behind the other.
The actual exhibits range from old style display cabinets that Bob can remember from when he was a kid to full size aircraft and trains to the latest electronic ‘experiences’.
Its a bit chastening that some of the museum exhibits like the early computers and some consumer items Bob can remember using what only seems a very short time ago.  

Getting To The Science Museum

The Science Museum is next to the Victoria & Albert Museum and Natural History Museum, all major museums that can each take up a day of your time. South Kensington Underground Station is adjacent and there are special exits direct from the Underground to the museums.
Harrods, the famous depart ment store is only 5/10 minutes walk east and Hyde Park only 5/10 minutes north.
The Science Museum is on the edge of the major hotel district of Kensington. If your accommodation is in Kensington, walking to the museum is an option.
The museum is open every day until 6 p.m. , 7 p.m. during the school holidays of England.

Part of Transport Hall

Part Of The Space Hall

How A WC Works - Typical Interactive Exhibit In 'The Basement'