CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Science & Discovery Centres in London
South Kensington is the obvious start, with the Natural History Museum free to enter (book your timed slot for the dinosaurs and the blue whale) and the Science Museum next door, also free, with Wonderlab ticketed separately. A short trip further out, Discover Children's Story Centre charges from £9 and builds its play worlds around books rather than screens, good for ages 0-11. Down in Deptford, the Creekside Discovery Centre gets wellies on for dipping in the creek itself. For free indoor options, the Dana Research Centre and Library and the Royal Institution (ages 4+, in a Mayfair townhouse) both need tickets booked ahead but cost nothing. Toddlers will do better at Discover's climb-through worlds than at the more talk-based Royal Institution. If you want the party to come to you, Mad Science London runs from £270. A longer trip out to Luton, Stockwood Discovery Centre is free and has gardens and an old carriage collection for when indoor galleries feel like enough.
7 places 4 free to visit
Creekside Discovery Centre
London
Wellies on, down the sloped bank into Deptford Creek to dip for animals and read the mud like a history book.
Booking requiredPublic transport nearbyToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeDana Research Centre and Library
London
Free hands-on science galleries with experiments, retro video games and a space section, though you'll need to book tickets in advance.
Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBooking required+12 more
from £9Discover Children's Story Centre
London · ages 0-11
Two floors of play worlds to climb through and act out stories in, plus a garden, all built around books rather than screens.
Baby changeBike parkingBlue badge parkingBooking required+7 more
from £270Mad Science London
London
A science party that comes to you, with slime, bouncy balls and a big final experiment to send everyone home buzzing.
FreeNatural History Museum
London
Dinosaurs, a blue whale and rainy-day halls in South Kensington - free entry, book timed tickets.
Booking requiredGift shopFood on siteWheelchair accessible+3 more
FreeScience Museum
South Kensington, London
South Kensington free science galleries plus ticketed Wonderlab - Soft Play N never.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredGift shopGroup bookings+1 more
FreeThe Royal Institution
London · ages 4+
Free entry to a museum of 200 years of scientific history, tucked in a Mayfair townhouse with family talks laid on too.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+5 more
Good to know: science & discovery centres in London
Are any of them free?
Yes, Dana Research Centre and Library, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and The Royal Institution are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £9 at Discover Children's Story Centre. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find science & discovery centres in London and South Kensington. Every place we list is in or around London, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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