Founded back in 1857 based on surplus items from the Great Exhibition, the Science Museum on South Kensington’s Exhibition Road is now one of London’s most visited attractions. It boasts more than 300,000 items, including the world’s first jet engine and the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the world, the Puffing Billy, and is renowned for its interactive exhibits.
Take time to learn about the latest in digital technology in the Wellcome Wing and step into the IMAX 3D cinema that showcases science and nature documentaries. The Science Museum is also home to the early steam locomotive known as Stephenson's Rocket and the first prototype of the Clock of the Long Now, which is designed to keep time for 10,000 years.
Delve into the history of medicine in the “Glimpse of Medical History” exhibit that features numerous objects collected by Henry Wellcome and get up close to ancient medical instruments from across the world in the “Science and the Art of Medicine” display. Learn about the benefits of space exploration in the “Exploring Space” exhibit and get hands-on in the interactive Launchpad gallery, then be inspired while understanding the mechanics behind the “Engineer your Future” gallery.
The Science Museum regularly organizes Science Nights when young guests can overnight in the museum’s galleries, as well as evening lectures and silent discos on the last Wednesday of every month. The complex also includes the Dana Library and Research Centre, a world-class archive collection that also features an urban cafe and bar.