Plan your visit

The Summer Science Exhibition is an annual display of the most cutting-edge science and technology in the UK. This free, week-long festival features 22 exhibits and a series of inspiring talks and activities for all ages. Meet the scientists, discover the exciting research and technology they work on and have fun with exciting hands-on activities.

The exhibition is suitable for all ages. Public entry is free and no advance registration is required. However, school groups need to register in advance. Visit our schools and colleges page for more information.

Download the full programme (PDF)

How to get to the exhibition

We are centrally located, easily accessible by public transport and just a short walk from several London attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. 

Our address is:

The Royal Society
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG

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)
• Bus routes: 12, 13, 15 and 453
• 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. 

The Pride in London Festival will take place on Saturday 6 July, and will disrupt general travel around the Piccadilly area, with road closures likely to impact step-free routes to the building. For more information about the parade visit the Pride in London website.

Opening hours

On Tuesday 2 July there will be a late night opening of the exhibition for adults only, with an evening of special talks and activities.

When you arrive

Accessibility

• You can access the entrance to the exhibition via five steps with a hand rail, or by using a lift which is operable by reception staff. If you need to use the lift please use the buzzer to the right of the entrance steps or inform a member of staff when you arrive.
• Once inside the exhibition, all of the exhibits and the café can be reached without using steps. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor behind the reception area and in the basement near the café.
• 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.
• If you need a space reserved at a talk or activity for accessibility reasons, please contact us in advance at exhibition@royalsociety.org.
• Portable hearing loops and portable seats are available on request.
• Blue Badge disabled parking spaces are available and will need to be booked in advance.

Please inform a member of staff at any point during your visit if you need any help.

Please note: Security checks will be in operation during the exhibition. There can be queues to enter the building. Please think about the luggage or bags you are bringing to help us speed up the checking process. If you are planning to attend a talk or activity, ensure that you leave enough time to queue for entrance to the building as well. 

If you have any questions ahead of your visit, contact Amy Fry on +44 20 7451 2582 or at exhibition@royalsociety.org. For schools or colleges, visit our schools and colleges page, or contact education@royalsociety.org

Families

During the weekend, we encourage families to come and explore the exhibition. A special programme of family shows and hands-on activities will be run, suitable for all ages. There will be a Kids' zone located in the café with science experiments for under 10s and a menu of child-friendly food and drink available for purchase.

Baby changing facilities are located in both the male and female toilets. Buggy parking space is also available on the ground floor.

Food and drink

Take a break at our café, situated on the basement floor. The café offers a selection of hot dishes, salads, sandwiches, cakes and a range of hot and cold beverages.

The café is open throughout the exhibition and closes 30 minutes before closing time each day.

Food and hot drinks will not be allowed around the exhibition.

Diversity monitoring

The Royal Society aims to have an inclusive environment for everyone engaged in the organisation’s work.

During the exhibition you may be asked to complete a survey and your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence. All data disclosed will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. Find out more about the equality, diversity and inclusion work of the Royal Society.

Recording and photography

You are welcome to take photos and video during the exhibition within reason, but please be aware that people wearing an orange 'no photography' sticker should not be filmed or photographed. Any images that contain an individual wearing an orange sticker should be deleted. 

Children should not be filmed or photographed without first obtaining their guardian's consent.

The Royal Society will also be taking photographs and filming during the event. These may be used to promote the Society's activities and could include print or digital media. If you don't wish to be photographed or filmed, please go to the information desk on arrival or speak to a member of staff to collect a 'no photography' sticker.

For all enquiries, contact exhibition@royalsociety.org or call +44 20 7451 2582.

Above: Hear from Professor Brian Cox on why the Summer Science Exhibition is not to be missed.