Plan your visit

2 – 7 July 2024 | 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. Meet the scientists, discover the exciting research and technology they work on and have fun with exciting interactive activities. 

The exhibition is suitable for all ages except for the Lates event on the theme of Sports Science on Tuesday 2 July (over 18s only). The weekend is packed with family-friendly talks, workshops and hands-on activities.

Free event – no ticket required, but please register your interest via Eventbrite so we know you’re attending. Show your registration confirmation on arrival to receive a free Royal Society tote bag. 

Sign-up to our email newsletter and follow us on Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates on this year's talks, workshops, hands-on activities and the 14 flagship exhibits. 

How to get to the exhibition 

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) 
• 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.  

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. To book a space, please email us in advance. 

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

Opening times

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

The exhibition can be a busy event but 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. 

When you arrive 

Accessibility 

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.  

• You can access the entrance to the exhibition via five steps with a handrail, 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 (wearing a red Summer Science shirt) when you arrive. 
• Once inside the exhibition, all the exhibits and the café can be reached without using steps. The café is located in the basement, which is accessible by lift. 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. 
• If you need a space reserved at an activity for accessibility reasons, please email us in advance. 
• Portable seats are available on request. We have also assigned spaces for wheelchairs throughout the building. 
• A limited number of Blue Badge disabled parking spaces are available and must be booked in advance by email. Please inform a member of staff at any point during your visit if you need any help. 
• There will be water stations available throughout the building to refill bottles. 
• There is a quiet room, 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, if you require information on these exhibits, please contact a member of the staff for advice or email us in advance. 

Health and safety 

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

Families 

We encourage families to come and explore the exhibition and the programme of workshops, talks and interactive activities is suitable for all ages (The exhibition is suitable for all ages except for the "Lates" event taking place on the evening of Tuesday 2 July which is for 18+ only). There will be several kids' zones with science experiments for under 10s, and a menu of child-friendly food and drink will be available for purchase in the café. 

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 in the basement floor. The café offers a hot menu, salads and sandwiches, and a range of hot and cold beverages.  

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

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

Diversity monitoring 

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

During your visit you may be asked to complete a survey; the information provided is anonymous and used in line with our privacy policy. Find out more about the equality, diversity and inclusion work of the Royal Society. 

Photography and filming  

Please be aware that the Royal Society will be recording and taking photographs at this event.  

• These may be used in printed or online material to promote the Society’s events and activities, including but not limited to:  
  • the Society’s website and/or social media sites (such as Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube)*;  
  • promotional material, for example flyers and banners; in the media (newspapers, magazines, websites, broadcast outlets)*;  
  • email marketing and campaigns; or  
  • in reports about the work of the Society.  
• As above, but for general publicity of the Royal Society where appropriate.  
• If the event or activity is run in collaboration with partner organisations, recordings and photography may be shared with these relevant partners.  
• If the recorded content is of historical or cultural significance to the Society and its programmes, it may be stored in the Royal Society’s archives in perpetuity.  
• Captured recordings are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

* Note: Due to the nature of social media and traditional media outlets, once photography or video has been used on these channels, we are no longer able to control if it is used again by the same media outlet or elsewhere.  

If you are accompanying someone under 18 years old, parent or guardian consent is required for filming or photography of them to take place. Please inform a member of staff so a consent form can be completed.  

If you don’t want to be photographed or filmed  

Please go to the registration desk or speak to a member of staff and you will be provided with an orange sticker, which indicates that you do not want your image to be used.  

Please note that individuals may still be captured in crowd shots in areas where event filming is taking place, even with a no photography sticker.  

Photography and videos will be kept in line with the Society’s privacy policy.

If you are taking photographs or filming at this event  

You are welcome to take photos and video during the exhibition, but please be aware that people with an orange 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 parental or guardian consent. 

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