The Royal Institution
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Free entry to a museum of 200 years of scientific history, tucked in a Mayfair townhouse with family talks laid on too.
The draw here is the Faraday Museum, which covers over 200 years of history-making science in one building, plus family talks and demonstrations that run alongside it. There are also Family Fun Days aimed at ages 6 to 12 with hands-on activities, so if your kids like poking things rather than just reading labels, those sessions are the ones to time your visit around.
It's free to get in, which is rare for a London science attraction and worth building a day around even if you only stay an hour or two. The catch is the opening hours are tight for working families: weekdays 9am to 5pm, and just one Saturday a month (the first, from May 2026, 1pm to 6pm), with the whole place shut on English bank holidays. Under 13s need a paying adult with them and kids aged 4 and up need their own ticket, so this isn't a drop-and-browse spot for teenagers on their own.
Step-free access runs right through via a lift in the atrium, and the theatre takes 4 wheelchair users, which is a decent provision for a historic building. The Ri Café covers hot drinks, snacks and meals, though it's only open Monday to Thursday mornings into early afternoon, so a Saturday visit means eating elsewhere. Parking on Albemarle Street itself is limited and metered, and drop-off is tight too, so the tube is the sensible option: Green Park is five minutes away.
Worth calling ahead if you're planning around a specific date, since private events can restrict access on the day. It's a fairly compact visit rather than a full day out, better paired with something else nearby in Mayfair or Piccadilly.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 6 to 12, with under 4s needing no ticket at all
- Parking
- Limited metered parking nearby
- Food
- Ri Café open Mon-Thu 9am-3pm for hot drinks, snacks and meals
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access via lift in atrium
- Getting there by bus or train
- Green Park station 5 min walk (Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly lines)
- Closed on every English bank holiday, so double check the date if it falls near one
- The Saturday opening only starts from May 2026 and is just the first Saturday of the month
- Ri Café shuts by 3pm and doesn't open Fridays or weekends
- Carer tickets are free but need emailing events@ri.ac.uk in advance
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Entry is free. The 45 minute welcome tours cost extra, £10 for non-members plus a booking fee, though it's free for members.
What age is it suitable for?
Under 13s need a paying adult with them, and anyone aged 4 or over needs their own ticket. The Family Fun Days are aimed at 6 to 12 year olds.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. From May 2026 it also opens on the first Saturday of each month, 1pm to 6pm. It's shut on all English bank holidays.
Is there food on site?
The Ri Café does hot drinks, snacks and meals, but only Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm. Don't rely on it for a Saturday visit.
Is there parking?
Only limited metered parking on Albemarle Street and drop-off is tight there too. Nearest public car parks are Old Burlington Street and Arlington Street, but the tube is easier, Green Park is a five minute walk.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, step-free from the street via a lift in the atrium, with accessible toilets and a theatre that takes 4 wheelchair users. Free carer tickets are available by emailing the events team.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link for general entry, but it's worth calling ahead since private events can limit access on any given day.
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