1 British Museum
2 Covent Garden Piazza
3 Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster)
4 National Gallery
5 Natural History Museum
6 St Paul's Cathedral
7 Science Museum
8 Tower of London
9 Victoria & Albert Museum
10 Westminster Abbey
Don't be put off by the name or the concept of a museum of science. This is an exhibition of how things work and how technology has evolved.
The Science Museum is one of the world's finest collections of its kind. It is a huge undertaking, however, and you can't hope to see and understand everything here in a single visit. On the other hand there are so many pieces which are landmarks of industrial history, technological milestones, works of art, or just amazing objects in their own right, there really is something that everyone can identify with and admire.
To see the best of the collection in one visit buy the excellent museum guidebook which will navigate you through the 'must-see' exhibits such as Stephenson's Rocket, Edison's early lamps, the ill-fated Ford Edsel motorcar, the prototype computer (the dauntingly huge Babbage's Difference Engine), the Apollo 10 Command module, the first iron lung, ancient orreries, and many other famous technological landmarks. The Science Museum is famous for its pioneering interactive hands-on areas and adults with children should start down in the basement, then progress to Launch Pad. Here youngsters can discover how machines and gadgets work. Other family favourites include the Flight Galleries, featuring a whole array of historic aircraft, many of them slung dramatically from the ceiling. For sheer spectacle it's hard to beat the East Hall, where some of the great beam-and-steam behemoths which powered the Industrial Revolution still push and thrust their mighty workings. If you have any energy left, the Wellcome History of Medicine on the top floor is a fascinating collection with an emphasis on ancient and tribal medicines, and features some blood-curdling practices.Address: Exhibition Road
Phone: (020) 7942 4454/5 WEBSITE: www.science museum.org.uk
Open: Daily 10-6. Closed 24-26 Dec
Restaurant: Museum café (Inexpensive), picnic areas
Bus: 9, 9A, 10, 14, 49, 52, 74, C1
Metro: South Kensington
Accessible: Excellent
Admission: Expensive. Children free. Free after 4:30
Practical: IMAX cinema (additional charge)
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