The 2009 Summer Science Exhibition

The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition presents interactive exhibits about cutting edge scientific research taking place in the UK, manned by the scientists and engineers who are doing this research. The exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to meet the researchers themselves, talk with them about their work and ask any questions they may have.

The exhibition  is aimed at an audience of interested adults over the age of sixteen – no formal science background or training is required. Younger children may also attend if accompanied by an adult.  All visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

This page contains information for public visitors. School party leaders bringing a pre-booked group of students to the exhibition should download and read the Information for schools (pdf) and Health and Safety Policy 2009 (pdf).

Public opening times

• Tuesday 30 June – 10am – 9pm
• Wednesday 1 July – 10am – 5pm
• Thursday 2 July – 10am – 5pm
• Friday 3 July – 10am – 5pm
• Saturday 4 July – 10am – 5pm

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing

Venue

The Exhibition takes place at the Royal Society in London at:

6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG

Find us on Google maps or Streetmap

When you arrive please go to the entrance at number 6. Here, at the welcome desk, you will be given your visitor sticker. Please wear your visitor sticker in the building at all times.

Group bookings

Bookings for school groups are now closed.

If you would like to book a group (12+ visitors) to visit the Exhibition please contact Madeleine Bell on 020 7451 2607 or exhibition@royalsociety.org.

Admittance policy

All visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Admittance to the Exhibition is at the discretion of the Society. Visitors are requested to be respectful to other visitors and staff and to comply with instruction given to them by Royal Society staff. The Society reserves the right to eject visitors, or to ban them from attending future Royal Society events.

No dogs or other pets are permitted, except for guide dogs.

Accessibility and special requirements

There is a wheelchair lift at entrance number 7. This is operable by the reception staff. If you require use of the lift please use the buzzer located to the right-hand side of the entrance steps. The Royal Society has a very limited number of parking spaces immediately outside the front door, which may be available for visitors with a Blue Badge disabled parking permit. To book a space, please contact the reception desk on 020 7451 2500. For other requirements please contact us in good time so that arrangements can be made where possible.

Travelling to the Society

Where possible public transport or walking is recommend.

Travelling by Tube

The nearest London Underground (tube) stations are:

• Charing Cross (Northern Line, Bakerloo Line)
• Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Line, Bakerloo Line)

Travelling by bus

The Royal Society is located on the 12, 15, 453 and 13 bus routes

Travelling by car

There are a number of car parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the Royal Society where you can pay to park your car. On-street parking on Carlton House Terrace and Waterloo Place is available for up to four hours, for £3.30 - £4.40 per hour. Westminster City Council's Trafalgar car park is also close by. Please note we are located in within the congestion charge zone. 

Travelling by coach

The nearest coach station for scheduled coach services is Victoria Coach Station.

Chartered coaches are able to drop off/pick up in front of the building but unable to park. There are several coach parks located near the Royal Society. Please note we are located in within the congestion charge zone. 

Lunch facilities

A refreshment area will be open to the public to purchase drinks and light refreshments during the Exhibition.

We are also located opposite St James Park and near Trafalgar Square both ideal locations for lunch. There are also a number of local cafes and sandwich shops in the surrounding area.

Cloakrooms

We are unable to provide any cloakrooms due to the large amount of visitors to the Exhibition, therefore please only bring what you need.

Baby changing

Please note, due to the nature of the building we are unable to provide any baby changing facilities.

Toilets

The main toilets are located in the basement. An additional disabled toilet is located on the ground floor behind the reception area.

Recording, photography, video and webcasting

Members of the press should make themselves known to a member of the Royal Society press team before commencing their visit.

Visitors are not permitted to take photography or make recordings in our building, without the permission of the exhibitors concerned - please ask permission of the exhibitors before taking photographs of their exhibits, and please do not use flash.  

Visitors are not permitted to take photography or make recordings of our paintings, other artwork or building features.

In return for access to the event, you irrevocably consent to the photography, filming, recording or live broadcasting/streaming to any Royal Society or any exhibitor's website and subsequent broadcast, reproduction and use of the photography, film or recording for the purposes of furthering the Royal Society’s charitable objectives, through whatever media worldwide. This includes any question or comment you make at the event, which you also consent to the Royal Society reproducing and publishing in any transcript or other printed record of the event or any part of it.

The Royal Society records CCTV images throughout the building and in the forecourt, as a security measure.

No smoking

The Royal Society operates a strict no-smoking policy in all areas. This includes the forecourt.

Further help and advice

For immediate advice and assistance while at the Royal Society please contact Reception (extension 2500).

For advice in advance of these visits, please contact the Exhibition Team on 020 7451 2607.