STEM Events and Exhibitions 2026
Astronomers Take Over + Planetarium Show – National Maritime Museum
A new interactive experience in Greenwich. Meet real astronomers, try your hand at landing a Mars rover, use a starlight splitter and step inside an awe-inspiring ‘galaxy box’ to find out how amazing our Universe is. A range of Planetarium Shows are available with an additional ticket. They include: Animals in Space! (age 1-7), Solar System Sightseeing (age 5+), The Night Sky (Live) (age 7+) and Cosmic Journey (age 11+).
Currently booking to 3 January 2027 | All ages | National Maritime Museum, London
rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/astronomers-take-over
Hurst October Half Term Camps:
– STEM Camp
– Woodland Camp
Holiday camps held at Hurst College over the half term. Some Camps are held for one day, some are available for a full week. Find out more on the Holiday Camps page – and book directly from there.
hppc.co.uk/holiday-camps
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends – Young V&A
An exhibition showcasing models, storyboards and the making processes behind iconic stop‑motion films. Recommended for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 and those interested in animation, model‑making, materials and storytelling.
Running until 15 November 2026 | All ages | Young V&A, Bethnal Green, London
vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/inside-aardman-wallace-gromit-and-friends
Mousehunt at RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Children can become a wildlife detective and help track down some of the secretive mammals who make their home at Pulborough Brooks. They will deploy special footprint tunnels and live mammal traps as well as learning how to look for animal tracks and signs, like feathers, nibbled nuts and poo!
30 October | Junior Prep | RSPB Pulborough Brooks
events.rspb.org.uk/events/173942
Power Up – The Ultimate Gaming Experience – Science Museum
Immerse yourself in hands-on gaming experiences, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone. Challenge friends and family in multiplayer tournaments or experience the latest virtual reality adventures, all in one place.
On going | 11+ and Senior School | Science Museum, London
sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/power
Science Museum – Half Term activities
The Science Museum has a range of exhibitions aimed at children of all ages. During half term the museum will have the following events:
For under 5: Bubble Explorers, Pattern Pod and The Garden
For ages 5-12: Pokémon Space Trail and Wonderlab (a live show with light experiments)
For teenagers: Power Up – The Ultimate Gaming Experience (see above)
The museum also has galleries on topics that will interest teenagers, such as space, AI, robotics and real-world technology.
24 to 30 October | ages 5-12 | Science Museum, London
sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/half-term
Sheffield Park and Garden: Stranger Folk Adventure (with phone app)
Head to Sheffield Park and Garden this autumn and download the Stranger Folk app. This is a games-based story aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds and their families. Use the app to follow an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore.
Running to 15 November | All ages/Adventure trail ideal for ages 7-11 | Sheffield Park, Uckfield
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden/visiting-sheffield-park-with-family
The Ultimate Bubble Show
Ray Bubbles, International Bubbleologist and World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various different gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects, and magical displays.
27 October | Junior and Senior Prep | White Rock Theatre, Hastings
whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/ultimate-bubble-show-2026/
Wakehurst: Wallace & Gromit: Fantastic Fungi Trail
Help Wallace and Gromit identify Wakehurst’s fantastic fungi, recording their tricks and treats as you go. But keep your eyes peeled for Feathers along the way. Don’t let him get hold of the fungi secrets you’ve uncovered! This is a family trail through Wakehurst’s autumn landscape to discover the fascinating world of fungi. The trail activity pack includes an activity guide and sticker sheet.
17 October to 1 November | Junior and Senior Prep | Wakehurst, Haywards Heath
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition – The Natural History Museum
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is an internationally acclaimed exhibition, celebrating the very best in nature photography. Journey from polar landscapes to tropical rainforests, vast oceans to remote deserts, through 100 extraordinary images that have come out on top in this year’s competition. Thoughtfully displayed in a calm, contemplative setting, the exhibition invites you to slow down, look closer and experience nature’s most remarkable stories.
16 October 2026 – 11 July 2027 | 11+ | The Natural History Museum, Kensington, London
nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year
Places to Visit
Alice Holt Forest giant marble run
Open all year | Junior Prep | Farnham, Surrey
forestryengland.uk – alice holt
Booth Museum of Natural History
Victorian Taxidermy.
Open all year | 13+ | Brighton, East Sussex
brightonmuseums.org.uk/booth-museum-of-natural-history
The Science Museum
Discover award-winning exhibitions, iconic objects and stories of incredible scientific achievement.
Open all year | All ages | South Kensington, London
sciencemuseum.org.uk
British Wildlife Centre
View wild animals and learn about the Centre’s conservation efforts.
Open all year | All ages | Lingfield, Surrey
britishwildlifecentre.co.uk
Brooklands Museum
The history of British engineering, especially in aviation and motorsport – including a Concorde.
Open all year | All ages | Weybridge, Surrey
brooklandsmuseum.com
Centre for Computing History
Explore the machines that changed the world.
Open Wed to Sun during term time and every day during school holidays | All ages | Cambridge
computinghistory.org.uk
Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine – at The Science Museum
Open all year | All ages | Science Museum, South Kensington, London
sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/charles-babbages-difference-engines-and-science-museum
The Design Museum
Contemporary design in every form, from architecture and fashion to graphics and product design.
Open all year | Senior Prep + | South Kensington, London
designmuseum.org
Drusillas Park
Explore a world of curious creatures.
Open all year | All ages | Alfriston, East Sussex
drusillas.co.uk
Faraday Museum at the Royal Institution
Explore equipment used in some of the world’s most famous science experiments.
Open all year | All ages | London
rigb.org/visit/faraday-museum
Friends of Millbank
A society of historians of military medicine. Monthly talks in London or online (free to students).
Open all year | 16+ (Medics) | London
friendsofmillbank.org
Herstmonceux Observatory Centre
Discover the domes and telescopes of a world famous astronomical observatory.
Open all year – Open Sat and Sun | All ages | Hailsham, East Sussex
the-observatory.org
Hidden London Guided Tours
Step behind the scenes of the city’s most famous locations and enjoy exclusive access to secret places including disused stations, secret wartime shelters and time-capsule corridors.
Open all year | 11+ | Various locations around London
ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london
HMS Belfast
A historic Royal Navy warship docked near Tower Bridge. Visitors can explore the ship and look at engine rooms, mechanical systems and naval engineering.
Open all year | All ages | Central London, near Tower Bridge
iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast
Ightham Mote (National Trust)
Open all year | All ages | Kent
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/ightham-mote
Kew
From rainforest to rose garden, explore the diversity of plants at the botanical gardens.
Open all year | All ages | Richmond, London
kew.org
Knepp Rewilding Project
The first major lowland rewilding project in England across 1,400 hectares.
Open all year | All ages | Dial Post, West Sussex
knepp.co.uk
The London Transport Museum
This museum explores 200 years of London city’s transport heritage, featuring iconic red buses, the world’s first underground steam train and interactive exhibits.
Open all year | All ages | Covent Garden, London
ltmuseum.co.uk
Magna Science Adventure Centre
Explore water, fire, earth and air.
Open all year | Junior Prep | Rotherham, South Yorkshire
visitmagna.co.uk
Natural History Museum
Fixing Our Broken Planet Gallery with practical, nature based solutions.
Open all year | All ages | Kensington, London
nhm.ac.uk
The Old Operating Theatre
Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre. Fascinating for future medics!
Open Thu to Sun | All ages | London
oldoperatingtheatre.com
Tower Bridge Experience
Learn about the bridge’s history, construction and Victorian steam powered engineering.
Open all year | All ages | Tower Hill, London
towerbridge.org.uk
Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder
Open all year | All ages | Perthshire, Scotland
pitlochrydam.com
Rampion Off Shore Centre
Explore the world of offshore wind energy.
Open Tue to Sun | All ages | Brighton, East Sussex
rampionoffshore.com/visitor-centre
Royal Institution Science Workshops
In person and online Science lectures for children, young people, children and families.
Seasonal events | All ages | London
rigb.org
Royal Observatory
Explore the science of the skies.
Open all year | All ages | London
rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
Science Museum
Open all year | All ages | London
sciencemuseum.org.uk
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, located in ‘The Walkie-Talkie’ on the 43rd floor. Offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline, it features landscaped gardens, an open-air terrace and is excellent for discussing modern structural engineering and high‑rise architecture. Entry is free but tickets must be booked in advance.
Open all year | 11+ | Fenchurch Street, Central London
skygarden.london
Thames Barrier
Explore the engineering of the gateway that guards the Capital.
Open Saturdays | All ages | Greenwich, London
visitgreenwich.org.uk
Wakehurst
Explore nature’s time capsule at one of the world’s largest seed banks.
Open all year | All ages | Ardingly, West Sussex
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/wakehurst
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
Open all year | Junior & Senior Prep | Winchester
winchestersciencecentre.org
