Best & Cool Science and Space Museums in River Wandle

"Another free museum in South Kensington, dedicated to the miracle of technological progress… and all the neat things we’ve discovered along the way. Some of the ‘classic’ galleries focusing on the birth of steam power are a little fusty, but the bit about space travel is neat, and there are tons of neat interactive exhibitions to play with. The Wonderlab area (which isn’t free alas) is full of hands-on experiments that kids will go absolutely bananas for."

"The Science Museum is one of London's must-see museums and is one of three that sits on South Kensington's Exhibition Road (the others are the Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum). Founded in 1857, the Science Museum has a collection of 300,000 objects that sees more than three million visitors this year. Some of the objects on display include Puffing Billy, Stephenson's Rocket, and the Apollo 10 command module."

"See a real piece of the moon 🌚 or lightning strike ⚡️ before your eyes at Science Museum. From space travel to IMAX, the interactive galleries bring science to life."

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"

"The Chislehurst Caves is mainly a tourist attraction, but it did play an important role in the history of London. Up until the 19th century the caves were intensely used for mining but during the two World Wars, they had a different purpose. It was used as an ammunition depot in WWI, air raid shelter for about 15 thousand inhabitants, an emergency hospital and some sections were converted to a chapel."

"While Richmond Park is by far the most famous park in the area, Old Deer Park is an open space dedicated to sports facilities and community events. It has play areas, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and sports pitches. You can also access Pools on the Park, a sports, fitness and pool complex."

"The Old Deer Park today is an important site for sport and events. The Pools on the Park Complex offers indoor and outdoor pools plus a gym. There are facilities for football, cricket, rugby, an outdoor gym and both hard and grass tennis courts."

"This neo-Gothic house built in the late 1890s for William Waldorf Astor, of hotel fame and once the richest man in America, showcases art from UK museum collections outside the capital. Visit as much to see the opulent house (it's astonishing) as the collections on display, but note it's only open for a few months each year for the Winter Exhibition Programme (see the website). Check out the bronze putti (cherubs) chatting on old telephones on the steps!"

"The Tate Modern’s older sister focuses on British art and holds pieces from heavyweights including Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and William Hogarth within its imposing Pimlico building. The museum hosts regular Lates, which fall on the last Friday of the month and have a different theme each time: LGBTQ art, perhaps, or creative learning, with licensed bars in the galleries and a live DJ. Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RGTelephone: +44 20 7887 8888Website:tate.org.ukEntry fee: admission is free, exhibitions cost extra"

"A temple to the work of British artists over the past 500 years, with a vast collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, two rooms of Henry Moore sculptures, a free picture library filled with rare and fragile sketches from major artists, and a restaurant with a mural by Rex Whistler. Late at Tate Britain: On the first Friday of every month, Tate Collective Producers curate an evening exploring a different abstract theme, with a little help from DJs, activists, artists and more. Details: Millbank, SW1P 4RG | Free entry | Find out more and book–"

"Tate Britain, which opened its doors in 1897, has a quite incredible collection of art on display in its beautiful riverside building, including paintings by William Blake, John Constable, Whistler and Millais (his iconic painting of Ophelia). It also has the largest number of Turner paintings in the world. A truly wonderful location, and a really first class selection If you want to visit both Tates on the same day, you can take a boat ride from one museum to the other, a much recommended trip in itself."

"One of the branches of Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Childhood was founded in 1872, but only in the 1920s began to concentrate primarily on children. With an enormous collection of childhood objects, the Museum successfully fulfils its mission of giving everyone the opportunity to explore the wonderful ways of the designated world. The unique exhibitions, galleries of toys (older and newer) and the entertainment programs prepared for children will definitely get them prancing around."

"The V&A Museum of Childhood, part of the Victoria & Albert Museum, is a London museum dedicated to housing collections by and for children. The museum's collection includes costumes, toys, and objects dedicated to celebrating childhood. In addition to its permanent collection, the V&A Museum of Childhood regularly hosts temporary exhibits."

"Out in Bethnal Green, you’ll discover the free Museum of Childhood. Operated and curated by the V&A, it’s home to toys, dolls houses, and thousands of other interesting items, but a major refurbishment is aiming to turn it into a “world-leading museum of design and creativity for children and young people”."

"Known as the place angsty teenagers, punks and creatives go to hang out, Camden Market is a must-visit in London if you want to experience an energetic and engaging counterculture. Made up of a number of adjoining markets, you’ll be able to find iconic band t-shirts, sterling silver jewellery, tattoo parlours and bespoke boutiques selling 1950s clothing and serious rock and roll attire. Camden Lock is the place to go for eating, with a huge range of street food stalls selling cuisine from all corners of the globe."

"Camden Town is home to a series of markets, encompassing an astonishingly eclectic array of goods to suit all tastes. Pick up some vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, music, or bric-a-brac. The market around Camden Lock features designers and artists, with a selection of international food vendors, too."

"Located in a complex of historic railway arches off Deptford High Street, the Market Yard is a hip hub of indie shops, bars and on-trend street-food eateries. If you’re peckish, head to the Tapas Room for Spanish nibbles and fine wine or Mama’s Jerk for funky Caribbean classics. If you’re simply after some booze, set your sights on Taproom SE8 (a real ale and craft beer mecca with pizza) or Little Nan’s Bar, where the cocktails are served in teapots."