Sage Educational Trust
Visits, Events and Activities for Families
Click on the topic area in the box below to take you to the relevant section.
Art:
- Apsley House, or 'Number 1 London', was the home of the Duke of Wellington and contains over 200 works of art. Hyde Park Corner. Adults £5.70, Children £2.90, Concessions £4.80. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.12679
- The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts venue, with a wide range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. Follow the relevant links. http://www.barbican.org.uk/
- Coram Foundling Museum - Britain's original home for abandoned children and London's first ever public art gallery. Closed on Mondays. Adults £5, concessions £4, under 16s free. http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/index.php
- Dulwich Picture Gallery. Adults £5, children free. http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/default.aspx
- The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Free. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
- 17th-century Queen's House, Greenwich houses the National Maritime Museum's fine-art collection. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/queens-house/
- National Portrait Gallery - founded in 1856 to collect portraits of famous British men and women. Explore 120,000 portraits from the 16th Century to the present day. Free. http://www.npg.org.uk/
- Tate Britain : the home of British art from 1500 to the present day. Offers a range of activities for children and adults to explore together, including any-time activities for families with children, plus drop-in and ticketed special activities for weekends and school holidays. Art Trolley weekends 11am to 5pm. Free daily tours. http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
- Tate Modern: International modern and contemporary art, including family-friendly space , with fun art books to browse. At weekends and holidays the Family Zone offers activities to get families exploring the galleries and encountering new ideas. Free daily tours. http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/information/
- The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays works of art collected from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries collected by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, whose widow, Lady Wallace, bequeathed it to the nation in 1897. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Free, including temporary exhibitions. http://www.wallacecollection.org/visiting
- Victoria and Albert Museum - the world's greatest museum of art and design. FREE and free daily tours at 15:30. http://www.vam.ac.uk
- William Morris Gallery is devoted to William Morris - designer, craftsman, writer, socialist and conservationist - and displays an internationally important collection illustrating his life, achievements and influence. Free. http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/william-morris
Drama and Dance:
- The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts venue, with a wide range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. Follow the relevant links. http://www.barbican.org.uk/
- The Laban Centre in Deptford has a wide variety of children, youth and adult courses available, also sessions for children with learning and/or physical disabilities or sensory impairment. Prices vary. http://www.laban.org/index.phtml
Science:
- The Natural History Museum. Entry is free, except some special exhibitions. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
- The Science Museum - Bringing science to life, and life to science. Entry is free, but charges apply for the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
- The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments. Free. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens. Holding over 1 in 8 of known plant species. Adults £13, Under 17s free. http://www.kew.org/
- National Maritime Museum - Explore Britain's encounter with the world at sea from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. Steer a ship into port, learn about waves and tides, see how our day-to-day lives depend on the ocean and hear the story of human exploration. Free. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/maritime-galleries/
- Royal Observatory. Situated where east meets west, the 'home of time' has been at the heart of nautical astronomy since the late 17th century. Free. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/royal-observatory/
- Geological Museum started life in 1841 as part of the Geological Survey. In 1985 it merged with the Natural History Museum, adding a collection of more than 30,000 minerals. FREE. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/history-architecture/geological-museum/index.html
- Thames Barrier: Visit the Information Centre to find out how the Thames Barrier was designed, built and how it works. During the school holidays there is a range of fun activities with an environmental theme, for children aged 3 to 12. £3.50/£2. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38353.aspx
History:
- Apsley House, or 'Number 1 London', was the home of the Duke of Wellington and is right in the heart of London, at Hyde Park Corner. Adults £5.70, Children £2.90, Concessions £4.80. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.12679
- The British Museum is free of charge and contains artefacts from modern and ancient cultures, ranging from Egyptian mummies to the art of the Aztecs. http://www.britishmuseum.org/
- Museum of London - lots of information about the history of the Capital. www.museumoflondon.org.uk/learning/index.html
- Benjamin Franklin House, where Dr Benjamin Franklin - scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, Founding Father of the United States and more - lived for nearly 16 years. The Historical Experience presents the excitement and uncertainty of Franklin's London years, using rooms as staging for a drama which seamlessly integrates live performance, cutting edge lighting, sound and projection technology. £7, under 16s free. http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/default.htm
- Museum of Childhood. Open Monday - Sunday from 10:00-17:45. Last admission is 17:30. Free. http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/
- Visit the Imperial War Museum http://www.iwm.org.uk/
- See what they’ve got at the Victoria and Albert Museum http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/index.html
- The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world's most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator . Adults £5, Children: £3, Families: £14.00 (2 adults & up to five children). http://www.dickensmuseum.com/
- Chislehurst Caves are a labyrinth of dark mysterious passageways which have been hewn by hand from the chalk, deep beneath Chislehurst. There are over 20 miles of caverns and passageways, dug over a period of 8,000 years. Adults £5, Under 16s and OAPs £3. http://www.chislehurstcaves.co.uk/
- Coram Foundling Museum - Britain's original home for abandoned children and London's first ever public art gallery. Closed on Mondays. Adults £5, concessions £4, under 16s free. http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/index.php
- Crofton Roman Villa house, was occupied from about AD 140 to 400 and was the centre of a farming estate of about 500 acres. The remains of ten rooms can be seen today, now within a modern cover building. Adults £1, children 80p. http://cka.moon-demon.co.uk/villa.htm
- Danson House, Bexleyheath is a revival of Italian villa design from the area around Vicenza in the second half of the sixteenth century and reflects the ideas of the leading architect at that time, Andrea Palladio. http://www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/dansonhouse/
- Eltham Palace and Gardens combines Art Deco with the remains of a medieval royal palace which was originally Henry VIII’s boyhood home. Adults £8.30, children £4.20. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12744
- Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum, at the historic Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, tells the story of the men and women who served as Gunners in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Firepower is a heritage attraction, a major educational resource and simply a great value day out where there really is something for everyone. Adults £5, children £2.50, family ticket for 4 - £12.00 (2 adults & 2 children/1 adult & 3 children). http://www.firepower.org.uk/index.asp
- The Geffrye Museum shows the changing style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. Admission to the museum and gardens is free. http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/
- The Golden Hinde is a full-sized reconstruction of the Tudor warship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world in 1577 – 1580. Self Guided Tours - Adults £6, Children £4.50, Family £18. http://www.goldenhinde.com/
- Old Royal Naval College is set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. A rich and varied events programme brings to life the magnificent interiors, courtyards, colonnades and dramatic vistas. Free. http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/
- Hall Place is a Grade I listed country house built in 1537, a fine Tudor mansion, with new visitor centre and award-winning gardens. You can enjoy fascinating history in a fabulous setting throughout the year. Free. http://www.hallplace.com/
- Hampton Court Palace - a Tudor palace, magnificently developed by Cardinal Wolsey and later Henry VIII, alongside a baroque palace built by William III and Mary II. Adults £14, children £7. http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/
- One of the most powerful large light cruisers ever built, HMS Belfast is now the only surviving vessel of her type to have seen active service during the Second World War. Adults £10.70, Under 16s free. http://hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk/
- The Handel House Museum was home to the baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death in 1759. £5 adults, £4.50 concessions, £2 children (5-16 years). http://www.handelhouse.org/
- The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments. Free. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
- The Imperial War Museum, is the multi-branch national museum of war and wartime life from the First World War, through the Second World War, to the present. Free. http://www.iwm.org.uk/
- The London Firebrigade Museum contains information and exhibits depicting history of firefighting in London from the Great Fire of London in 1666 to present day. Visits by APPOINTMENT ONLY, Adults £3, Children £2/£1. http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/VisitorsInformation.asp
- Museum of London Docklands. From Roman settlement to Docklands’ regeneration, this former sugar warehouse reveals the long history of London as a port through stories of trade, migration and commerce. Annual adult ticket £5, under 16s free. http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/
- Museum of London - discover prehistoric London, see how the city changed under Roman rule, and wonder at medieval London. FREE. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/
- Ragged School Museum is a family-friendly museum that welcomes all ages to taste a slice of Victorian life, through roleplay, hands-on exhibits and talks, an authentic and memorable experience of the poor of the East End a century ago. FREE. http://www.raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/nextgen/
- Rochester Castle: Strategically placed astride the London Road, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding. £5/£4. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14818
- Among the most outstanding Roman villa survivals in Britain, Lullingstone has been vividly re-displayed, providing a unique - and all-weather - opportunity to trace Roman domestic life over three centuries. £5.70/£2.90. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14714
Music:
- The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts venue, with a wide range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. Follow the relevant links. http://www.barbican.org.uk/
- Blackheath Conservatoire; summer courses and concerts. http://www.conservatoire.org.uk/index.php
- The Handel House Museum was home to the baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death in 1759. £5 adults, £4.50 concessions, £2 children (5-16 years). http://www.handelhouse.org/
- The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments. Free. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
- 'Take it away' is an Arts Council England scheme, designed to help people get involved in music. Individuals can apply for a loan of up to £2,000 for buying any musical instrument, and pay it back in nine monthly instalments, interest free. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/
Outdoors:
- Beckenham Park http://www.beckenhamplaceparkfriends.org.uk/
- Chessington World of Adventure. Save money when you book online. http://www.chessington.com/
- Chinbrook Meadows http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/ParksAndRecreation/LocalParks/ChinbrookMeadows.htm
- Creekside environmental centre encourages people to be involved in the Deptford Creek. Offer a programme of educational and leisure facilities, including low-tide walks. http://www.creeksidecentre.org.uk/
- Olympic Youth Ambassador Programme Is designed to give young people ages 8-14year olds a voice in the development of local community sports provision.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens. Holding over 1 in 8 of known plant species. Adults £13, Under 17s free. http://www.kew.org/
- Mudchute Park and Farm is one of the largest inner City Farms anywhere in Europe, with a wonderful collection of British rare breeds and currently over 200 animals and fowl! Free. http://www.mudchute.org/
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution - have 3 different types of lifeboat
stations:
Explore stations: offer free access, go inside and look around the station, see the lifeboat and, in most cases, pre-book a tour eg. Southend
Observe stations: welcome visitors but many are in inaccessible places and best suited to maritime rescue rather than visits, eg. Tower Lifeboat Pier, Victoria Embankment.
Discover stations: are equally welcoming to visitors but many were built before visitors were considered. Normally open their boathouse doors during summer months, eg. Gravesend. http://www.rnli.org.uk/ - Wisley Gardens - A Surrey garden for all seasons, offering a fascinating blend of the beautiful with practical and innovative design. £8.50/£2. http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/wisley/plan-your-visit.htm
- Greenwich Park - beautiful park and views and events as well. Free. http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich_park/events.cfm
Film:
- Get a free Orange SIM card with £5 credit on it. If you put it in your phone on a Wednesday you can get 2 for the price of 1 cinema tickets.
- For an A to Z of London Cinemas and Films currently showing see http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/ent/cinema.html
- The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts venue, with a wide range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. Follow the relevant links. http://www.barbican.org.uk/
- BFI is the British Film Institute. Our world-renowned archive, cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning resources are here to inspire you. http://www.bfi.org.uk/
General:
- A variety of ideas for children in London http://www.londonforkids.net/
- Lots of ideas for family events in London. http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whats-on-kids-family.aspx
- The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts venue, with a wide range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events. Follow the relevant links. http://www.barbican.org.uk/
- Chislehurst Caves. Chislehurst Caves are a labyrinth of dark mysterious passageways which have been hewn by hand from the chalk, deep beneath Chislehurst. There are over 20 miles of caverns and passageways, dug over a period of 8000 years. Adults £5, Under 16s and OAPs £3. http://www.chislehurstcaves.co.uk/
- The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments. Free. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
- Parliament is open to all members of the UK public and overseas visitors. You can attend debates and watch committee hearings, tour the buildings or climb the famous Clock Tower and see Big Ben. Booking required - approx. 6 months in advance. http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/index.cfm
- The Imperial War Museum, is the multi-branch national museum of war and wartime life from the First World War, through the Second World War, to the present. Free. http://www.iwm.org.uk/
- The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens. Holding over 1 in 8 of known plant species. Adults £13, Under 17s free. http://www.kew.org/
- The London Firebrigade Museum contains information and exhibits depicting history of firefighting in London from the Great Fire of London in 1666 to present day. Visits by APPOINTMENT ONLY, Adults £3, Children £2/£1. http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/VisitorsInformation.asp
- Southwark Cathedral is situated on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge it is open daily from 8.00am to 6.00pm. http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/
- Victoria and Albert Museum - the world's greatest museum of art and design. FREE and free daily tours at 15:30. http://www.vam.ac.uk
FREE!:
-
Get a free Orange SIM card with £5 credit on it. If you put it in your phone on a Wednesday you can get 2 for the price of 1 cinema tickets.
- For more information on free events see http://www.londonisfree.com/
- Museum of Childhood. Open Monday - Sunday from 10:00-17:45. Last admission is 17:30. FREE. http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/
- The British Museum is FREE of charge and contains artefacts from modern and ancient cultures, ranging from Egyptian mummies to the art of the Aztecs. http://www.britishmuseum.org/
- Olympic Youth Ambassador Programme Is designed to give young people aged 8-14 years a voice in the development of local community sports provision.
- The Natural History Museum. Entry is FREE, except some special exhibitions. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
- The Science Museum - Bringing science to life, and life to science. Entry is FREE, but charges apply for the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
- The Geffrye Museum shows the changing style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. Admission to the museum and gardens is FREE. http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/
- Old Royal Naval College is set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. A rich and varied events programme brings to life the magnificent interiors, courtyards, colonnades and dramatic vistas. FREE. http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/
- Hall Place is a Grade I listed country house built in 1537, a fine Tudor mansion, with new visitor centre and award-winning gardens. You can enjoy fascinating history in a fabulous setting throughout the year. FREE. http://www.hallplace.com/
- The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments. FREE. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/
- The Imperial War Museum, is the multi-branch national museum of war and wartime life from the First World War, through the Second World War, to the present. FREE. http://www.iwm.org.uk/
- Mudchute Park and Farm is one of the largest inner City Farms anywhere in Europe, with a wonderful collection of British rare breeds and currently over 200 animals and fowl! FREE. http://www.mudchute.org/
- Museum of London - discover prehistoric London, see how the city changed under Roman rule, and wonder at medieval London. FREE. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/
- National Maritime Museum - Explore Britain's encounter with the world at sea from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. Steer a ship into port, learn about waves and tides, see how our day-to-day lives depend on the ocean and hear the story of human exploration. FREE. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/maritime-galleries/
- Royal Observatory. Situated where east meets west, the 'home of time' has been at the heart of nautical astronomy since the late 17th century. FREE. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/royal-observatory/
- National Portrait Gallery - founded in 1856 to collect portraits of famous British men and women. Explore 120,000 portraits from the 16th Century to the present day. FREE. http://www.npg.org.uk/
- Ragged School Museum is a family-friendly museum that welcomes all ages to taste a slice of Victorian life, through roleplay, hands-on exhibits and talks, an authentic and memorable experience of the poor of the East End a century ago. FREE. http://www.raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk/nextgen/
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution - have 3 different types of lifeboat
stations:
Explore stations: offer free access, go inside and look around the station, see the lifeboat and, in most cases, pre-book a tour eg. Southend
Observe stations: welcome visitors but many are in inaccessible places and best suited to maritime rescue rather than visits, eg. Tower Lifeboat Pier, Victoria Embankment.
Discover stations: are equally welcoming to visitors but many were built before visitors were considered. Normally open their boathouse doors during summer months, eg. Gravesend. http://www.rnli.org.uk/ - Geological Museum started life in 1841 as part of the Geological Survey. In 1985 it merged with the Natural History Museum, adding a collection of more than 30,000 minerals. FREE. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/history-architecture/geological-museum/index.html
- Victoria and Albert Museum - the world's greatest museum of art and design. FREE and free daily tours at 15:30. http://www.vam.ac.uk
- Tate Britain : the home of British art from 1500 to the present day. Offers a range of activities for children and adults to explore together, including any-time activities for families with children, plus drop-in and ticketed special activities for weekends and school holidays. Art Trolley weekends 11am to 5pm. Free daily tours. http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
- Tate Modern: International modern and contemporary art, including family-friendly space , with fun art books to browse. At weekends and holidays the Family Zone offers activities to get families exploring the galleries and encountering new ideas. Free daily tours. http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/information/
- The Wallace Collection is a national museum which displays works of art collected from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries collected by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, whose widow, Lady Wallace, bequeathed it to the nation in 1897. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Free, including temporary exhibitions. http://www.wallacecollection.org/visiting
- William Morris Gallery is devoted to William Morris - designer, craftsman, writer, socialist and conservationist - and displays an internationally important collection illustrating his life, achievements and influence. Free. http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/william-morris
- Greenwich Park - beautiful park and views and events as well. Free. http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/greenwich_park/events.cfm