Immerse yourself in all aspects of the natural world both past and present at the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Natural History Museum in London houses one of the world’s most significant collections of specimens of the natural world.
Having been collated for over 260 years (with the addition of new specimens happening all the time), items have been sourced from all over the globe.
The museum contains over 80 million items but only a small number are actually on display at any one time - rotations of displays occur regularly.
The artifacts can generally be put into one of the main categories - entomology (insects), paleontology (fossils), zoology (animals), botany (plants) and mineralogy (minerals).
Collections include items discovered during explorer James Cook’s expeditions through the Pacific Ocean and from naturalist Charles Darwin’s round the world voyage on HMS Beagle.
With over five million people visiting the museum each year, visitors also come to see the beautiful building that contains these specimens as well as the collections and exhibitions themselves.
Alongside being a world-renowned tourist destination the museum also houses working scientists in the field of natural sciences who can be seen working in the Darwin Centre.
The original Natural History Museum collection stemmed from a collection of specimens donated by Sir Hans Sloane which started the British Museum in 1753.
Over the following years the natural history part of the museum’s collection grew so large it was decided in 1856 by Sir Richard Owen that it should be moved into its own premises.
Alfred Waterhouse designed the building as it stands now in a Romanesque style and incorporated many details of the natural world into the building. This included carvings and statues on and around the walls and tiles on the ceiling of Hintz Hall illustrating plants from all over the world.
Although physically removed from the British Museum it was still classed as part of the institution until 1963 when its own board of trustees took over the running of it.
Along with the near-continuous additions to the collection from all over the world, the museum expanded by taking in the Geological Museum of the British Geological Survey which was situated next door along with its enormous collection of over 30,000 minerals.
A link between the two buildings (the Lasting Impression Gallery) was built in 1989 and then in 1992, the combined buildings were renamed the Natural History Museum.
The Darwin centre opened in 2009 where the museum's working scientists can be seen and the specimens which are not on display in the main museum are stored.
Most recently the Hintz Hall was redeveloped in 2017 and the famous dinosaur cast ‘Dippy’ the diplodocus, who had been in situ for over 38 years, was removed to make way for the impressive 25 metre blue whale skeleton which is in pride of place today.
The Museum is split into four different coloured sections containing a variety of themed areas.
Open every day of the week, 10am until 5.50pm (last entry is 5pm).
The museum is shut 24th to the 26th of December.
Tickets and time-slot entry can be booked online at www.nhm.ac.uk or walk-up entry is permitted. Walk-up entry can be restricted at certain times such as during school holidays - checking online or by calling the museum is recommended to ensure if it is possible.
On average it takes approximately three to four hours to go around the Natural History Museum and take in all the galleries.
There are twenty-four audio guides of Hintz Hall available which are narrated by Sir David Attenborough. These are accessible via your own mobile devices via the museum website.
There are also audio descriptive guides, again from the website, for the following;
Bags may be checked upon entry to the museum. No sharp items (including knives and scissors), alcohol, flammable items and any offensive weapons may be brought in.
There are two cloakrooms available to leave large bags, suitcases, scooters, pushchairs, folding bikes and smaller items. Charges are dependent on, and per, item.
Baby change and baby feeding facilities are located on the ground and lower ground floor.
Toilets are available in numerous locations on the ground and lower ground floor (mens, womens, all-gender and accessible toilets).
There are four cafes currently open for public use;
The Anning rooms are a private restaurant and lounge for patrons and members of the museum (open 10am until 5.40pm). There is also a picnic area on the lower ground floor for those wishing to bring their own food.
There are four gift shops at the museum
No smoking or vaping is permitted within the Natural History Museum.
Photography for personal use is allowed within the museum but only for handheld cameras.
The Natural History Museum is located in South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.
It is surrounded by the Victoria and Albert Museum to the east, The Science Museum, The Royal College of Music and Kensington Gardens to the north, and Cromwell Road to the south.
By Tube
The nearest tube station is South Kensington (Circle and District line) which is a two minute walk from the museum. Another nearby station is Gloucester Road (Circle,
District and Piccadilly lines) which is approximately an eight minute walk from the museum.
By Train
The nearest mainline overland train stations are Paddington and Victoria (both approximately a 35 minute walk from the museum) which can take you out of the City and to other parts of the UK.
By Car
Driving in central London is not recommended due to lack of, and price of, parking and also due to the congestion charge which applies to vehicles entering this central zone.
There are no parking facilities at the museum and is limited around it. There are a limited number of blue badge parking spaces bookable at the museum.
By Boat
Westminster Pier is the nearest pier, although this is approximately a one hour walk from the museum.
By Bus
The following bus services pass alongside the museum - 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, N74 and N97.
Due to the location of the museum, there are numerous options for accommodation in the central London vicinity. From hostels and budget hotel options all the way through to five star luxury, there are many places to stay.
Central London, by its nature as a capital city, has many attractions to see and things to do. Just a few of the many options available in the vicinity of the museum are:
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Yes, the Natural History Museum is free to enter however there are special exhibitions that may require a fee to visit.
The Natural History Museum contains a collection of over 80 million specimens from the natural world collected from all over the world although not all are on display at one time!
The Natural History Museum is over 140 years old.
Walk-up slots to visit the Natural History Museum are available however they can be restricted or completely unavailable during busy periods.
Alfred Waterhouse designed the Natural History Museum building which was built in a Romanesque style following his designs.
Guy the Gorilla was a resident of the London zoo who died in 1978. After his death, he was preserved and now resides in the Natural History Museum.
It takes between three to four hours on average to walk around the Natural History Museum.
Annually there are approximately five million people who visit the Natural History Museum.
The majority of the animals in the Natural History Museum are real and preserved however a small number are replicas (such as the dodos!)
The Natural History Museum is not based within London’s congestion charge zone however you may need to plan your route to the museum carefully if driving as some routes may pass through it.
Water (and in fact any food and drink) can be brought into the Natural History Museum however it is asked that it is only consumed in marked areas and not within the galleries/exhibitions. There are even places to enable you to refill your bottles with tap water should you require.
The Natural History Museum is in London travel zone 1.