Plan your visit

30 June - 5 July 2026 | 6 - 9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

The Summer Science Exhibition is a free annual showcase of some of the cutting-edge science and technology in the UK, suitable for all ages. Meet real scientists, discover the exciting research and technology they work on, have fun with exciting interactive activities and hear from a range of brilliant scientists, authors, science journalists and broadcasters in an exciting programme of talks.

We recommend you register for a priority entry ticket in advance via Eventbrite, with booking opening soon. Walk-up entry is available each day, by booking a ticket at the box office on the forecourt of Carlton House Terrace, for those who arrive without advance bookings, subject to availability. During busy periods, there may be a delay to entry.

Be first to hear about priority ticket booking and for the latest updates on this year's programme by signing up to our email newsletter. Don’t forget to follow us on our socials: Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok; #SummerScience.

For all enquiries, please contact exhibition@royalsociety.org or call +44 20 7451 2500

Date Times

Tuesday 30 June

Primary School groups only (8 - 11 years old), no admission to general public

Please note that the Primary school day is fully booked with a waiting list in operation

Late opening for adults only with specially curated talks and activities

 

10am - 3pm

 

6pm - 10pm

Wednesday 1 July

School and college group visits (14 - 18 years old) alongside general public visitors

 

10am - 4pm

Thursday 2 July

School and college group visits (14 - 18 years old) alongside general public visitors

 

10am - 4pm

Friday 3 July

School and college group visits (14 - 18 years old) alongside general public visitors

Late opening for adults only with specially curated Pride-themed talks and performances

 

10am - 4pm

6pm - 8pm

Saturday 4 July

Families and general public visitors

Please note the Pride in London Parade is taking place on this day*

10am - 6pm

Sunday 5 July

Quiet entry

Families and general public visitors

British Sign Language Tour

 

9.30am - 10.30am

10.30am - 6pm

11am - 1pm

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time and the café finishes serving 30 minutes before close.

*We advise visitors to plan ahead, check before travelling and allow more time for journeys. Please check this page closer to the date for further guidance on how to prepare your visit to the exhibition.

The exhibition can be a busy event, and we strive to make it as accessible to everyone as possible. The exhibition is usually less busy between 10am - 11am on weekdays, and a quiet space is available during opening times. More information about venue accessibility can be found below.

Located in central London, easily accessible by public transport and just a short walk from several attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.

Our address is:
The Royal Society
6 – 9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG

Access

Please note there is no step-free access to the building from The Mall. If you require step-free access, we recommend that you approach the building from the north side, via Pall Mall or Piccadilly.

Public transport links

  • Underground stations: Charing Cross (10 minute walk), Piccadilly Circus (7 minute walk), Green Park (10 minute walk; step-free) and St James's Park (15 minute walk)
  • Coach station: Connections from Victoria coach station
  • National Rail stations: Charing Cross (10 minute walk). Victoria and Waterloo are also a half hour walk or short bus ride away

Please check TfL before you travel for the latest travel news.

If you plan to arrive by car, there is street parking available around the Royal Society building, but we do not have parking spaces for the public. There are a limited number of parking spaces close to the front door which may be booked in advance by visitors with a Blue Badge disabled parking permit. Details for how to book these spaces will become available at the end of May. Coaches and minibuses can drop off and collect outside the venue, but alternative parking will need to be found.

You can find information on where and how to park in the area by visiting the City of Westminster’s website.

Please note on Saturday 4 July the Pride in London Parade is taking place so services may be busier, and roads may be closed. Please check this page closer to the date for further guidance on how to prepare your visit to the exhibition.

We strive to make the exhibition as accessible to everyone as possible. Below are some details to help you plan your visit, but if you have any questions please contact us directly at exhibition@royalsociety.org.

  • Entrance access is via ramp to the front of the building
  • Once inside the exhibition, all the exhibits and the café can be reached without using steps. The café is located on the terrace, which is accessible by ramps
  • There is an accessible toilet on the basement floor
  • There may be queues to enter the building at busy periods. If you are unable to queue, please inform a member of staff when you arrive, and we will make alternative arrangements
  • Portable seats are available on request
  • A limited number of Blue Badge disabled parking spaces are available and must be booked in advance. Details for how to book these spaces will become available at the end of May
  • There will be water stations available throughout the building to refill bottles
  • There is a quiet room for those who need a moment of calm, which offers a variety of comfortable seating and is intended to be as noise-free as possible
  • Some of the exhibits may contain flashing lights or high-pitch sounds, which will be clearly highlighted during the exhibition. If you require information on these exhibits, please contact a member of the staff for advice or email us in advance
  • Baby changing facilities are located in both the male and female toilets. Buggy parking space is also available on the ground floor
  • Please inform a member of staff at any point during your visit if you need any help (Look out for the red exhibition t-shirts)
  • All talks will be live captioned with hearing loops available in the Talks Room (infra-red loop) and Kohn Centre (induction loop)

Take a break at our café, situated on the terrace, which is open every day until 30 minutes before the exhibition closes.

Food and hot drinks will not be allowed in the exhibition areas.

Health and safety: First Aid attending medics will be present throughout the Exhibition week. If you need medical or first aid attention, approach any member of staff or security.

Please follow the below links for our latest policy statements: