Astronights

Astronights is for families and groups including schools, Scouts, Girlguiding and other organisations. Children must be aged 7-11.

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 welcome talk

19.50 Activity 1

20.40 Snack break

21.20 Activity 2

22.10 Activity 3

23.10 Get ready for bed

23.40 Lights out, time to sleep

06.15 Wake up

06.45 Move sleeping gear

07.00 Breakfast

07.45 Wonderlab and bingo

09.40 Goodbye

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.

The minimum party size is 1 adult and 1 child.

The maximum party size is 150.

We require a ratio of one adult to six children.

If you are interested in bring a party of more than 150 people, please email us to explore options.

To ensure adequate supervision overnight, your group will need at least one adult.

Your group will remain together for the whole event in socially distanced groups. 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, including taking measures to be COVID-safe
• 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 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 will give you lots of the information you’ll need to prepare for the night. We will also email you closer to the time so please keep an eye out for that. 

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, yoghurt and juice, with tea or coffee for the adults.

• 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 through our Contact Centre. Please email info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk or call 033 0058 0058.
• 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.
• If any member of your group has tested positive for COVID-19 or there is a suspected case pending testing, please consider the government guidelines and whether you think it is appropriate for your whole party to visit. You can rearrange or cancel your visit should you decide it is best for the whole party not to attend. Please contact us to rearrange or cancel your visit as soon as possible on 033 0058 0058. 

Please see the full booking and cancellation terms on your Astronights confirmation letter.