A museum was founded in 1857 under Bennet Woodcroft from the collection of the Royal Society of Arts and surplus items from the Great Exhibition as part of the South Kensington Museum, together with what is now the Victoria and Albert Museum. It included a collection of machinery which became the Museum of Patents in 1858, and the Patent Office Museum in 1863. This collection contained many of the most famous exhibits of what is now the Science Museum. In 1883, the contents of the Patent Office Museum were transferred to the South Kensington Museum. In 1885, the Science Collections were renamed the Science Museum and in 1893 a separate director was appointed. The Art Collections were renamed the Art Museum, which eventually became the Victoria and Albert Museum.
When Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for the new building for the Art Museum, she stipulated that the museum be renamed after herself and her late husband. This was initially applied to the whole museum, but when that new building finally opened ten years later, the title was confined to the Art Collections and the Science Collections had to be divorced from it. On 26 June 1909 the Science Museum, as an independent entity, came into existence.The Science Museum’s present quarters, designed by Sir Richard Allison, were opened to the public in stages over the period 1919–28.This building was known as the East Block, construction of which began in 1913 and temporarily halted by World War I. As the name suggests it was intended to be the first building of a much larger project, which was never realized. However, the Museum buildings were expanded over the following years; a pioneering Children’s Gallery with interactive exhibits opened in 1931, the Centre Block was completed in 1961-3, the infill of the East Block and the construction of the Lower & Upper Wellcome Galleries in 1980, and the construction of the Wellcome Wing in 2000 result in the Museum now extending to Queensgate.
Listing Details
- Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
- Phone: 020 7942 4000
- Website: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
- Email: info@sciencemuseum.ac.uk
- Get there by bus: 360
- Get there by tube/train: Circle, District, Piccadilly
- Wheelchair access: yes
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Additional information:
A large print accessibility map is available on entry to the Museum from the Information and Ticket Desks. The map provides information about the location of stairs, lifts, ramps, eating areas and toilets, as well as information on accessible resources.
Museum floor plans are also available on the network of touchscreen terminals located throughout the museum. Museum staff are on hand to give assistance and can also provide help with the lifts for groups of visitors.
Wheelchairs
The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible. A limited number of adult and child wheelchairs are available and may either be booked in advance by telephoning 0870 870 4868 or borrowed on the day by asking a member of staff at the Information Desk. The Science Museum would like to thank Goldman Sachs for its support of the innovative Trekinetic wheelchairs.
Parking
A small number of disabled parking spaces are available outside the Museum on Exhibition Road. Blue Badge holders may park in these spaces for four hours between 08.30 and 18.30. These spaces are controlled by the council rather than the Museum and cannot be booked in advance. For more information please see the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's website.
Places to eat
The Revolution Café is located in the Energy Hall on the ground floor and is a self-service café with moveable seating, some of which have backs and arms.
The Deep Blue Café is located on the ground floor of the Wellcome Wing and provides a waiter service. If you have specific dietary requirements, please call the Enquiry Line in advance of your visit so that we can help to cater for your visit (this service is only available at the Deep Blue Café).
If you would like to book a table in either the Revolution Café or the Deep Blue Café please call the Enquiry Line in advance of your visit.
The Eat Drink Shop is located in the basement and provides hot and cold snacks.
Allergy information is provided on food packaging and on menus.
Opening Times
- Monday 10.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday 10.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday 10.00 to 18.00
- Thursday 10.00 to 18.00
- Friday 10.00 to 18.00
- Saturday 10.00 to 18.00
- Sunday 10.00 to 18.00
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