Astronights is for families, birthday parties, schools, Cubs and Brownie groups.
We cater for up to 460 campers at each sleepover, so there will be many other groups enjoying the event.
We also run one Astronights a year exclusively for Girlguiding groups aged 7–15. Find out more about Brownies and Guides Astronights.
Astronights starts at 18.45, and groups enter at this time through the Science Museum’s Main Entrance on Exhibition Road.
The nearest tube station is South Kensington (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines). More information about getting to the museum can be found on our Visit Us page.
A typical Astronights programme looks like this:
18.45 Doors open and registration
19.05 Set up camp and attend Health and Safety Talk
19.55 Activity 1
20.40 Snack break
21.20 Activity 2
22.10 Activity 3
23.10 Get ready for bed
06.45 Wake up
07.15 Breakfast
07.45 Activity 4 and watch a 3D IMAX film
09.40 Prize-giving
10.00 Astronights finishes; Museum and shop open
You are welcome to stay in the Museum for as long as you wish after your Astronight.
Families can bring up to six people; we recommend that the number of adults does not outweigh the number of children.
For schools, Brownies, Cubs and other organisations, the minimum party size is six children and one adult. There is no maximum group size, but we don’t recommend bringing more than 60 children on any one night.
To ensure adequate supervision overnight, your group will need the following number of adults:
- Families: at least one adult.
- Schools and other groups: a minimum of one adult for every six children.
Your group will remain together for the whole event. The galleries are mixed-gender sleeping areas with both male and female staff supervising overnight.
Astronights is supervised by experienced staff; however, as a group leader you are responsible for ensuring everyone in your party has a safe and enjoyable experience. We ask that you:
- Ensure all children are the correct age
- Ensure your group adheres to the Astronights rules set out in the Health and Safety Talk on the night
- Keep your group together and under control always
- Address the behaviour of children in your group if they are impacting on the enjoyment of other campers
- Ensure your group doesn’t disturb those who are sleeping
If our staff think you may be causing unreasonable offence to other visitors, impacting on the enjoyment of other campers or are endangering yourself, others, our property or our collections, they will ask you to stop. Our staff have the authority to escort you from the museum premises if necessary.
For some children this will be the most exciting night of their lives so far. As a result, it is very difficult for them to get to sleep. We encourage groups to keep noise to a minimum, but please don’t expect to get your normal quota of beauty sleep.
Our Campers’ Survival Guide and Group Leader Survival Pack give you all the information you’ll need to prepare for the night.
You'll also need to complete a registration form for your group and present it to staff at the beginning of the night.
Unfortunately, we do not allow inflatable mattresses at Astronights, as they cause a trip hazard. However, we do provide you with camping mats to sleep on to make you a little more comfortable.
Campers need to bring a packed evening snack with them. We advise having an evening meal before arriving at the Museum.
We supply breakfast, which typically includes a croissant, a muffin and juice, and tea or coffee for the adults.
Please refer to our Health and Safety document which has all the information you will need to help you assess this event.
If you need to reduce the number of attendees or cancel your booking, you must tell us at least 28 days before the date of your booked Astronights. Cancellations and reductions in numbers need to be made in writing to edbookings@sciencemuseum.ac.uk
We do not offer refunds for reductions in numbers or cancellations made within 28 days of your booked Astronights. If you have not paid you will still be liable for the cost.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds if fewer people attend on the night.
Please see the full booking and cancellation terms on the Astronights confirmation letter.
