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THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Tel: 020 7323 8181
Entrance to the museum is free but special exhibitions are chargeable. We have had confirmation from the museum that these exhibitions are free to home educators when booked in advance over telephone (number above). Current exhibition is: “Sunken cities: Egypt’s lost worlds” and is on until 27 November 2016. Due to start soon is: “South Africa: the art of a nation” from 27 October 2016.
HMS BELFAST
Morgans Lane, Tooley Street, London SE1 2JH
Tel. 020 7940 6348
HMS Belfast was one of the most powerful cruisers ever built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1938 and was in service throughout World War Two. After the war she supported UN forces in Korea and was in service until 1965. Now the ship is a floating museum of twentieth-century naval history, with seven decks to see from the bridge to the engine room. Children under 16 are free. Adult standard rate: £16. You need to pre-book to obtain discounts for groups, please see their website. Booked party allows 1 adult free for every 10 children, contact them for details of prices for extra adults. For small group, call Education Department to discuss specific needs. Show your HEAS card on arrival. Trail sheets available on request.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
Tel. 020 7942 5000 (Opens Mon-Sun 10.00am-5.50pm).
The Natural History Museum’s exhibits are divided between the Life Galleries (Cromwell Road entrance) and the Earth Galleries (Exhibition Road entrance). Interactive exhibits, geology, plants, Darwin Centre, animals, birds: also the Investigate Centre, open to families outside school hours. Themed activity sheets may be purchased. Admission to the Museum is free for everyone, but group visits must be booked at least 10 days in advance: contact the Education Department.
N.B. Special exhibitions are chargeable, but subscribers are eligible for school rates, however bookings must be made in advance. It is also recommended to book for the Investigate Centre.
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM AND ROYAL OBSERVATORY
Park Row, Greenwich London SE10 9NF
Tel: 020 8312 6608 (school booking),
Free admission to Museum and Observatory but fee for special exhibitions. Call ‘School Booking’ phone no. two weeks in advance to book your visit if you are going as an educational group.
SCIENCE MUSEUM
Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD (Open 10am-6pm every day except 24/25/26 December) Education Booking Office Tel. 020 7942 4777 (open 9-4pm Monday – Thursday and 9-1pm Friday)
Admission to the Museum is free. Everyone needs to book in advance for all charged events like IMAX cinema, special exhibitions, lecture demonstrations and story-telling sessions to obtain discounts with HEAS card. All discounts are for weekdays in term time only EXCEPT for IMAX where educational discounts now apply every day. Check prices before booking on website or telephone. Prices vary for special exhibitions so check when booking.
Any educational group over 10 people also needs to book in advance for use of interactive galleries, if you want to avoid disappointment on the day. NOTE: The quietest days for a visit are Monday and Friday, especially at the beginning of each term.
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
Education Booking Office Tel. 020 7942 2211
Bookings: bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
The V&A is the national museum of art and design. The building, itself a classic example of Victorian architecture, has collections of art, craft and design from all over the world. Admission to the Museum is free. If you give 10 days notice there is free entry for special exhibitions as well.
ZSL LONDON ZOO
Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY
For all enquiries tel: 020 7449 6557 (Education Dept.)
Need to book well in advance. Education rate applicable Monday – Friday during Term Time Only. On production of your HEAS card you will be able to gain entry for the education rate depending on the time of year and age of child. See their website for further information.
It also runs a varied educational programme and if you are a group of 10 pupils or more of similar age range, it would be worth telephoning to see if home educators could be included in class activities.
The zoo receives hundred of letters requesting information about animals and they ask that children be encouraged to use their library for general information. They are only able to answer a few specific questions requiring a short answer, provided an SAE is enclosed.