Get ready to be amazed! The Science Museum is a treasure trove of interactive exhibits that bring science to life. From early technology to space travel, there’s something for everyone. Bring the family and ignite a passion for the mysteries of the world and the cosmos!
This article guides you through the museum’s most popular exhibits, giving you all the essential information for planning a fantastic visit.
Tiny Explorers: The Garden
Down in the basement, you’ll find The Garden, a vibrant sensory play zone designed specifically for little ones under six. It’s a wonderland of water, light, sound, and building blocks, where children can unleash their creativity and learn through play. Don’t forget to bring a waterproof apron or spare clothes, especially for the water play area, which is always a splash-tastic adventure!
Making the Modern World: From Steam Engines to Smartphones
Ascend to Level 0 and step into the Making the Modern World Gallery. It’s a dazzling showcase of revolutionary inventions that have shaped our world. From locomotives and planes to cars, you’ll trace the evolution of technology from the Industrial Revolution in the 1750s right up to the present day.
Reaching for the Stars: Exploring Space
Another Level 0 highlight is Exploring Space, a gallery that will leave you starstruck. Marvel at genuine rockets and satellites, including a full-size replica of the Eagle, the lunar lander that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. You can even see the actual Soyuz module that brought astronauts Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko, and Tim Kopra back from the International Space Station in 2016.
The Information Age: A World Transformed
On Level 2, you’ll discover the Information Age Gallery, where you’ll learn how information and communication technologies have transformed our lives since the 19th century. From the telegraph to smartphones, this exhibit reveals the fascinating story of communication. Don’t miss the wireless messages sent from the sinking Titanic, the first BBC radio broadcast, and a Soviet BESM-6 supercomputer.
Mathematics: The Winton Gallery
Also on Level 2, Mathematics: The Winton Gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, offers a captivating exploration of math’s role in our daily lives. Discover how this fundamental subject influences everything around us.
Medicine: A Journey Through Time
Step into the Medicine Galleries on Level 2, a captivating journey through the history of medicine. Here, you’ll see objects from the museum’s collection, alongside artifacts from the personal collection of Sir Henry Wellcome, a renowned pharmacist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. From the world’s first MRI machine to prosthetic arms and robotic surgery tools, the exhibition reveals the incredible progress in medicine over time.
Taking Flight: The Flight Gallery
Level 3 is home to the Flight Gallery, a haven for aviation enthusiasts and aspiring pilots. Children will be mesmerized by the array of gliders, hot-air balloons, and aircraft, including the De Havilland Gipsy Moth airplane Jason I, flown to Australia by Amy Johnson in 1930. Get hands-on with flight simulators (additional charge) and experience the thrill of flying with the Red Arrows, taking a low-level mission in a Typhoon fighter jet, or even experiencing a virtual-reality descent with astronaut Tim Peake.
Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery
The Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery (adult/child £11/9) on Level 3 is a place where science becomes an exhilarating adventure. Interactive exhibits allow children to create sound waves, explore the solar system, test their paper airplane designs, and even build a bridge with curved blocks. Live experiments with occasional explosions and knowledgeable “Explainers” are on hand to answer all your questions.
Planning Your Visit: Important Information
While general admission to the Science Museum is free, you’ll need to book your tickets online in advance. If you plan to visit a specific gallery, check if advance booking is required. Remember, there may be time limits for certain exhibits, such as the Garden, which allows 20-minute slots.
Tickets for the IMAX, virtual-reality experiences, flight simulators, Wonderlab, and special events are subject to charges.
The museum has a café and snack bar for refreshments. Lifts and accessible toilets are available throughout, and wheelchair loans are also available.
The Science Museum is a captivating place to spend a day discovering the wonders of science and technology. It’s an experience that will spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and leave you amazed. So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets and prepare to be inspired!
