English French German Italian Spanish Japanese
Natural History Museum Cromwell Road South Kensington London SW7 Tel: 020 7942 5000 website: www.nhm.ac.uk
There are hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits on display. Highlights include 'Dinosaurs', the ultimate dinosaur exhibition; 'Creepy-Crawlies', guaranteed to have you scratching in minutes; 'Human Biology', the must-see exhibition about ourselves; 'Ecology' and 'Mammals', with its unforgettable blue whale. And don't miss 'The Power within', 'Restless surface', 'From the beginning', 'Earth's treasury' and 'Earth Today and Tomorrow' which throw light on our ever-changing planet and explores the extraordinary natural forces that shape it.
Opening times: Mon-Sat, Bank Holidays, 10.00-5.50; Sun, 11.00-5.50. Last admission 5.30. Closed 24-26 Dec.
Admission: FREE
Science Museum Exhibition Road South Kensington London SW7 Tel: 020 7942 4454 website: www.nmsi.ac.uk
See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years. More than 40 galleries filled with the world's finest collections in the history of science, technology and medicine. From original working steam engines to the actual Apollo 10 Command Module and from penicillin to brain scanners. A unique mixture of permanent displays and over 2000 hands-on exhibits. The Wellcome Wing opens summer 2000 and is devoted entirely to contemporary science, medicine and technology.
Opening times: Daily, 10.00-6.00. Closed 24-26 Dec.
Victoria & Albert Museum Cromwell Road South Kensington London SW7 Tel: 020 7942 2000 website: www.vam.ac.uk
The V&A holds one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of the decorative arts. The 146 galleries contain unrivalled collections dating from 3000BC to the present day. Furniture, fashion, textiles, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, books, prints and photographs illustrate the artistic life of many different cultures from around the world. The museum's magnificent Victorian and Edwardian buildings also contain the National Art Library and some of Britain's best national collections including sculpture, glass, and watercolours.
Opening times: Open daily, 10.00-5.45. Closed 24-26 December. Late views Wed 6.00-10.00*
Admission: FREE *Late views provide V&A visitors with a unique atmosphere in which to explore the museum: themed lectures, live music, buffet suppers, wine bars. Admission is free but lecture attendance is £5.00.
Kensington Palace State Apartments Kensington Gardens Kensington London W8 Tel: 020 7937 7079
You can see furniture and ceiling paintings from the Stuart-Hanoverian periods, rooms from the Victorian era and works of art from the Royal Collection. Highlights include the recently restored Kings Apartment with a magnificent collection of Old Masters, Tintoretto and Van Dyck amongst them. The Palace is also the home of 'Dressing for Royalty', a unique display of royal, ceremonial and court dress including a selection of dresses worn and owned by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Kensington palace was the London home of Diana, Princess of Wales and is still home to several other members of the Royal Family.
Opening times: Open daily 1 Apr-31 Oct 10.00-5.00; 1 Nov-31 Mar 10.00-4.00. Closed 25-26 Dec
Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road Chelsea London SW3 Tel: 020 7352 5646
The Chelsea Physic garden is the second oldest surviving botanical garden in England. It was founded by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in 1673. Sir Hans Sloane, Dr. to George II, wanted the apothecaries of the Empire to cultivate 50 botanical species per year - some 7,000 plants still grow here today.
Opening times: April-November. 12.00-5.00 Wed. 2.00-6.00 Sun.
Admission: £4.00 Adults £2.00 Children (2-15 yrs)