Military Museums • Science Museums
THE 10 BEST London Science Museums
Science Museums in London
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Types of Attractions
Museums
Museums
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13 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Bloomsbury
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southwark
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Westminster
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Whitechapel
What travelers are saying
- Marc WBracknell, UK108 contributionsThis is one of the larger aircraft museums in the UK obviously the aircraft and other exhibits are all related to the RAF or it's adversaries. It's based on what is left of the old airfield at Hendon, although the runway etc are long gone. There's a great selection of aircraft, right from the early days of aviation right up to relatively modern aircraft. The aircraft are in several halls and hangers around the site with some grouped in a theme or from a period. For example, the historic Grahame White hanger contains the WW1 collection.
The museum is free to enter although they will happily take donations. The car park is also chargeable, unsurprisingly given it's location. There are also various chargeable activities such as the chance to sit in a cockpit of a Spitfire. There are also several tours such as the Cold War tour which I did on this visit, these are also chargable.
This tour starts at the Vulcan which you are able to sit inside whilst a guide shows you around and explains the history and operation. Then you tour the museum with another guide looking at various cold war aircraft and being told about their history and role. It ends with the chance to sit at the controls of an RAF Phantom. It's an excellent experience and very imformative.
The museum also has two on site cafes, one of which serves hot meals.
Overall it's an excellent museum which is well worth a visit.Written September 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - jw1983Leicester, UK555 contributionsVisited here on a recent short break in London. It’s free to enter (with some optional pay extra exhibits) but you should book in advance for faster entry. There are probably exhibits to interest most people here. Seeing the large machines and vehicles and then the appliances through the years were probably my favourite exhibits. There were several places to grab a bite to eat or drink if you wanted.Written September 14, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura LChelmsford, UK130 contributionsDelighted to have finally discovered this fabulous place - why had I never heard about it before?! A few minutes’ walk from Euston Square tube station, it’s a light and airy museum and exhibition space. Went there to see the unusual and interesting ‘Milk’ exhibition which closes soon but it seems they have various exhibitions during the year, connected to science and humanity, and a permanent one about the human body. Great place to take inquisitive children and teenagers, and free, too! Also found they have a Picasso mural that he drew on a friend’s wall in 1950 - it’s on the second floor next to the stunning library which contains more than books. Absolutely loved it and wished I had more time to spare - could have been there all day! There’s also a great cafe and a gift shop. Plenty of staff around and each one I encountered, from the moment I entered, was friendly and helpful - and happy! A place to raise your spirits and I came out on a high!Written September 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kittiwake74London, UK16 contributionsWhat an amazing place! If you are interested in engineering and testing or just love listening to experts talk about their subject then this is a wonderful place to visit, highly recommended. David Kirkaldy deserves to be much better known, the man was a genius.Written September 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Master JonjonLondon, UK344 contributionsONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY.
A review of engineering works on tap water, flood prevention and sewer systems.
Attraction within 5-min walk:
Guards Museum
Jewel Tower
Pyx Chamber (Westminster Abbey)
Chapter House (Westminster Abbey)
WHERE TO START.
Exhibits not in any particular order—although, you can start with a "hut" at the end of the corridor, which loops on with an intro video. The clip will run through engineering inventions throughout history, from lighthouses to combustion engines and from post war urban design to recent discoveries.
HIDDEN GEMS.
Behind the hut is a hidden corner dedicated to Joseph Bazalgette, designer of London's sewer system (opened 1866).
Fun fact—The system contributed to the end of London's pandemic cholera outbreaks.
(Interested in this part of history? Travel west for a detailed discussion from the London Museum of Water and Steam.)
OUT OF SERVICES.
A VR headset experience is suspended during our WARS outbreak.Written June 26, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Paula GriffinLondon, UK885 contributionsPart of Guys Hospital this compact gallery houses regular exhibitions focused on issues effecting healthcare and science in our modern age interpreted through via various artistic media, visual, verbal and written among them. When I visited the theme was that of mental health with resources on hand to help those who may be experiencing problems in their own lives. After all this is more than just art this is therapy.Written January 10, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- greenwichgir1London87 contributionsLoved it!
A fascinating couple of hours spent in the company of a wonderfully engaging volunteer? staff member who was so enthusiastic about his subject.
In a variety of sheds hidden in a suburban garden there is a wonderland of equipment showing the history and development of radio and televisions.
Can't wait to make a return visit.Written September 27, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TFAtravelChicago, IL411 contributionsSo tucked between some modern apartments on the west side of the river sits a one story nature center. What makes it so special is it’s location. Rather than situated in pristine forest or other natural place, Creekside is on the banks of a crusted rusty industrial river that fills and empties with the tide. It offers visitors a chance to experience the resilience of nature and the beauty of the small and hidden. Go. Especially children.Written November 26, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- millypoppymoBarnet, UK40 contributionsThe pod is an amazing space. Very space age with great interactive educational games. My kids are 8 and 6 and they enjoyed this immensely. Afterwards we went to one of the lecture theatres for a talk one the subject we went for - gut feeling. It was a great talk, lots of audience participation and interaction. But at 1hr I felt perhaps trimming it to 45mins or so would have made it even better. Staff there very enthusiastic and friendly. Great experience.Written May 31, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MarkFarnborough, UK4 contributionsA fascinating, enlightening, well presented gem of a museum that focuses on the history of surgery. There are loads of exhibits to look at, that range from the truly bizarre to the disturbing, but all of it is presented within a sensitive context.
A big shout out too, for the lovely, friendly, professional visitor-focused staff who ( .. along with the kind person who handed it in ) reunited me with my lost wallet during my visit on 17th June. It was genuinely appreciated.Written June 18, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - futtock21London, UK11,578 contributionsWhat is the Dana Centre? I wondered, speculating as to whether it might be a musical venue commemorating the life and times of Ireland’s first Eurovision winner in 1970. Or a Bulgarian cultural centre? In fact it’s a library and research centre that is part of the Science Museum. Designed by Richard MacCormac of MJP Architects it opened in 2003 as a venue for contemporary scientific debate. It re-opened in late 2015 as a library and research centre with the aim of providing a ‘world-class environment for academic research, bringing together the museum’s thriving research and public history department with access to its library and research collections.’Written October 20, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EJAmumGreater London, UK1 contributionA lovely place to visit in the he heart of the historic buildings of University College London. My son and his two friends, aged 10, really enjoyed the freedom to open up the drawers and touch and hold different rocks and minerals. The curator is very patient and friendly and answered all their questions. There are other temporary, interactive exhibitions there too and you could combine your visit with the Grant zoology museum also at UCL. It was also great to be mingling with all the students in the relaxed courtyard areas. Thank youWritten October 30, 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sophtommoLuton, UK8 contributionsThe new exhibit SCOOP is a wonderful premise, what with the recent heatwave in the UK too. It teaches you about the history of ice cream in the UK and with plenty of historical artefacts like penny licks and scents of ice creams from the 18th century, it does fill the "history foodie" section. After this, you can go and make some ice cream (about 1ml worth, but still fun nonetheless). Then you go into a room where you can take your cool Instagram shots and explore the darker side of vanilla. With glow in the dark ice cream and brain-wave experiences with ice cream, it does make you think about your relationship with the food. But then it's done.
If it were an exhibition for a longer amount of time, then it should definitely be cheaper. It's fun but it's not meant to be an exhibition that you spend longer than an hour in.Written August 14, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about London
- These places are best for science museums in London:
- Royal Air Force Museum London
- Science Museum
- Wellcome Collection
- Science Gallery London
- The Institution of Civil Engineers Visitor Centre
- These are the best places for kid-friendly science museums in London:See more science museums for kids in London on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking science museums in London:See more science museums for couples in London on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly science museums in London:See more budget-friendly science museums in London on Tripadvisor