Museums and galleries are always top of the list for groups visiting London. Amy Moore reviews a couple of intriguing new exhibitions

Science Museum, London

The Science Museum, London houses over 15,000 original items, 800 interactive experiences, offers specialist tours and boasts an impressive IMAX 3D Theatre.

Gallery view of "Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age" exhibition.

Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age opened on September 18 and is scheduled to run until March 13, 2016. The exhibition documents how Russia turned space travel into a reality, becoming the first nation to explore space.

Cosmonauts is artistic, futuristic and minimalist in its approach, providing in-depth information and displaying interesting artefacts including the Vostok 6 — the capsule flown by the first woman in space — and the equipment needed to survive in space. Group discounts are available.

Curator Talks take place at Cosmonauts every Thursday from 1400hrs to 1500hrs, covering topics such as The Making of Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age (September 24-January 21), How to Get a Rocket into a Museum (October 8-February 25) and Dogs in Space (January 7-March 3).

The group travel organiser and coach driver are admitted free to the Science Museum, London. Pre-booked catering packages include a complimentary meal for the group travel organiser, with a £5 catering voucher for the coach driver. Group packages include:

• Newton Package – a chance to see a film in the IMAX 3D Theatre or visit a current exhibition as part of a ‘free-flow’ visit, with a catering option available (for parties of 10-plus, Monday to Friday). The Newton Package includes entry to Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age.
• Einstein Package – tours of the Science Museum, London based on three subjects: Technology and our World, Exploration and Discovery, and Treasures of the Science Museum (available from January 2016). Afterwards, afternoon cream tea is served in the Deep Blue Diner. The Einstein Package is available for 10-30 people on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Science Museum, London has announced a series of new opportunities for groups. Arrival refreshments can be booked for parties of up to 50 people between 1000hrs and 1200hrs, with afternoon tea available from 1500hrs. Groups must book at least one month in advance.

For more information visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.

Museum of London

The Museum of London houses thousands of artefacts spanning 450,000 years of London’s history — and boasts free admission.

The Crime Museum Uncovered opened on October 9 and is scheduled to run until April 10, 2016. Spanning three rooms, the exhibition features never-before-seen objects from the Metropolitan Police Crime Museum, including an appeal and notice from the Jack the Ripper murders, Dr Cream’s medicine case and a sinister display of six execution ropes.

Created with the support of the Metropolitan Police Service and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), content of The Crime Museum Uncovered was formerly only open to police professionals and invited guests. Pre-booked groups of 10-plus receive a 20% discount (reduced to £8 on Wednesday) and an expert talk is available.

The Crime Museum Curator Talk lasts around 45 minutes and costs £10 per person. Free newspaper-style guides can be picked up near the entrance to the exhibition. Additional group benefits at the Museum of London include a free familiarisation trip, exclusive group tours and pre-bookable dining options.

Looking ahead, The Museum of London will commemorate the 350^th-anniversary of the Great Fire of London with a group-friendly exhibition – Fire! Fire! – taking place from July 23 2016 to April 17, 2017. For more information visit www.museumoflondon.org.uk.