Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington.

The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections:

• Botany
• Entomology
• Mineralogy
• Palaeontology
• Zoology

The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin.

The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments. Access to the library is by appointment only.

The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons, and ornate architecture — sometimes dubbed a cathedral of nature — both exemplified by the large Diplodocus cast which dominates the vaulted central hall.

Originating from collections within the British Museum, the landmark Alfred Waterhouse building was built and opened by 1881, and later incorporated the Geological Museum. The Darwin Centre is a more recent addition, partly designed as a modern facility for storing the valuable collections.

Like other publicly funded national museums in the United Kingdom, the Natural History Museum does not levy an admission charge and so entry is free.

Opening Times:

Monday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Tuesday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Wednesday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Thursday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Friday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Saturday: 10.00am – 5.50pm
Sunday: 10.00am – 5.50pm