Blog of Mercure Hyde Park

The Great Exhibition Road Festival, returning to South Kensington on 7-8 June 2025, is a free annual celebration of science and the arts featuring interactive exhibits, creative workshops, live performances, and cutting-edge experiments from Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, and other cultural institutions.

Interactive Science Exhibits
The Festival features numerous interactive science exhibits spread across themed zones, each offering unique hands-on experiences. Visitors can contribute to real research in the Be a Scientist Zone, from saving seagrass to developing VR technology, while the Eureka Zone showcases collaborative projects between Imperial researchers and European partners working on space exploration, robotic construction, and cancer therapy. The Quantum Disco, part of the UNESCO International Year of Quantum celebration, invites participants to "strut like a quantum particle" in a movement class created by physicists from the London Centre for Nanotechnology.

• Design your own butterfly wings inspired by environmental changes and join the Butterfly Carnival Parade
• Participate in a Bollywood workshop blending dance, neuroscience, and mindfulness
• Watch the Paint Lab transform Exhibition Road into a gallery as artists create works inspired by conversations with scientists
• Explore age-specific zones including the Family Fun Zone for children under 12 and the Adults Only Zone featuring science cabaret and microbiome-inspired workshops
• Visit the NextGen Zone, programmed by Young Producers for 13-25 year-olds, offering activities from mosquito exploration to chemically engineered popcorn

Bollywood Dance Workshop
The "Bollywood Beats and Brainwaves" workshop offers a unique fusion of dance and neuroscience at the Festival's Adults Only Zone in Beit Quad, Imperial College London. Led by Isobel Jupp, a dance researcher from Imperial's MSk Lab, and Bollyqueer, a collective celebrating empowerment beyond gender norms, this 40-minute session explores the science behind how music affects the brain, how movement signals are transmitted, and why dance improves coordination, balance, and mood.

• Sessions run at 15:20-16:00, 16:20-17:00, and 17:20-18:00 on both festival days (7-8 June)
• The workshop includes a warm-up, introduction to Bollywood dance, accessible choreography, and cool-down
• No prior dance experience needed - just enthusiasm and willingness to move
• Participants must be 18+ (ID required) and should arrive 10 minutes before start time
• Advance free tickets are available, giving priority access to this popular event

Insect Yoga Classes
Escape the Festival hustle in the Adults Only Zone at Beit Quad with Insect Yoga, a relaxing workshop inspired by the insect movements studied at Imperial College London.
These welcoming sessions invite participants to "stretch like a stick insect" and learn about fascinating research while extending their metaphorical wings in a unique blend of science and wellness. The 40-minute classes are part of the Festival's creative programming that connects scientific research with physical activity.

• Sessions take place on both festival days (7-8 June) in the 18+ zone
• Participants can enjoy a drink from the bar before joining this science-inspired yoga session
• The class is one of several wellness activities in the Adults Only Zone, alongside microbial needlework, wellbeing poetry, and the Science Cabaret
• No prior yoga experience required - the sessions are designed to be accessible and informative
• Free tickets are available with registration recommended to secure a spot in this popular event

For Guests Staying at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel
If you’re staying at the Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy the Festival:

• Distance to the Festival: Approx. 20–25 minutes by public transport or taxi to South Kensington
• Nearest Tube Station: Paddington Station (2-min walk from hotel), then take the Circle or District Line directly to South Kensington Station
• Travel Tip: Exit South Kensington Station via the Exhibition Road tunnel for direct access to festival zones
• Hotel Services: Ask hotel reception for printed festival maps, travel assistance, or to book a cab

We hope you enjoy a fantastic and inspiring weekend at the Great Exhibition Road Festival 2025!