UK Travel Guide

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Science Museum

Both this and the Victoria & Albert Museum evolved from the South Kensington Museum set up in 1857. In 1876 an international exhibition of scientific instruments was held there and in 1884 the Patent Office handed over its patent stock including 2 extremely valuable items, namely Stephenson’s Rocket and Arkwright’s original textile machinery. As both the arts and science collections increased in size, the two had to be separated and in 1928 the Exhibition Road building where the Science Museum moved was opened by King George V. The Museum continued to acquire more and more and with the addition in 1976 of the Wellcome Collection of some 125000 items relating to medicine, the museum now covered just about every aspect of science technology and medicine. Found here are early steam trains, vintage cars, an Apollo 10 space capsule, Fox Talbot’s first camera, Edison’s first phonograph and hands-on interactive galleries include the Launch Pad and Flight Lab. There is also an IMAX cinema and a Special Exhibition for which an additional charge is made. However, it is cheaper to buy a combined ticket and the ticket office will be happy to advise you. The new Wellcome Wing has interactive displays which, amongst other things, will show what you will look like when you are older or younger, or show how you would look if you were the opposite gender. There is just so much to see and do at this museum.

Located at: Exhibition Road, London, SW7

Telephone: 020 7942 4455/4454

Opens: 10.00 am – 18.00 pm daily.

Cost: Adults £6.95, Students £3.50 Concessions Free

Closest Subway Station: South Kensington Station (Click to see more atrraction at this station)