Natural History Museum – London Attractions

Another of the many museums/galleries in London you will come across is the Natural History Museum, one of our favourites. We will tell you why, so keep reading.

Renowned for its world-class visitor attraction and fantastic science research centre, the Natural History Museum is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy and learn. You can check out a unique collection about the biggest challenges facing the natural world today and explore and learn about the range of specimens home to the Museum through various programmes, exhibitions, and events all year.

Over four million people visit the beautiful building of the Natural History Museum each year, and once you’ve seen it for yourself, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. Besides being warm and dry, there are over 70 million fascinating specimens from the natural world on display there, from tiny creepy crawlies to substantial dinosaur skeletons.

Originally part of the British Museum, the Natural History Museum began with a donation to the country of the collection of Sir Hans Sloane in 1753. The collection became part of the British Museum and was housed in Montagu House, the first home of what was to become the British Museum. However, the collection received such poor treatment from the incompetent staff that the department fought to become a separate entity. The Principal Librarian was known for his contempt for natural history; one staff member threatened to destroy any shell that wasn’t listed in a specific scientific text, while another destroyed all the labels of insects identified by a rival.

Moreover, Sloane, a physician, is said to have collected “natural curiosities.” When botanist Joseph Banks (who travelled with Captain James Cook) added a second collection to Sloane’s, museum curators began to see a need for a separate location for these items. Sloane desired that his collection remain together at his death and created a Board of Trustees to oversee its sale to the government for the bargain price of £20,000.

A competition was held to determine the architect for the new building. The winner was Captain Francis Fowke, who, unfortunately, died before he could complete his design. The honours then went to Alfred Waterhouse. Fortunately, the Natural History Museum got its building in 1881. However, it didn’t fully achieve independence and its board of directors until 1963. It was still known as the British Museum (Natural History) right up until 1992. In 1986, the Geological Museum merged with the NHM.

Architecture of the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum building is as striking as the exhibits it contains. Its high-spired towers soar above much of the skyline, and its substantial grand facade ─ inspired by the basalt columns at Fingal’s Cave in western Scotland ─ is awe-inspiring. The building integrates the romantic and the practical in an eclectic whole: German Romanesque stylistic use of dramatic arches and towers, decorated with a rich sculptural program of terra cotta, and sensible use of structural iron and contemporary mechanical systems.

The building has a bilaterally symmetrical plan around a central entrance, which leads to a cathedral-like hall with a grand staircase to second-floor galleries. The street facade marches 680 feet along Kensington Street. Two three-story wings of side-lit galleries with tower pavilions at their ends flank a slightly projecting central entrance with two towers around a recessed arched portal.

The top-lit galleries have iron and glass roofs in the tradition of Victorian train buildings, with daylighting admitted from the lower roof slopes. Water, ventilation, and fire protection systems are integrated with the building massing (in tower elements) and the ornamental systems. Don’t forget to look at the intricately painted ceiling panels in the Central Hall!

The Exhibits of the Natural History Museum

The museum is divided into different colour-coded zones, each focusing on a specific aspect of life on earth: the Life Galleries, Earth Galleries, Wildlife Garden, and Temporary Exhibitions. Within the Life Galleries are displays dedicated to Dinosaurs, Ecology, Human Biology, Mammals, Primates, the Origin of Species, and Minerals, which all provide a fascinating insight into science and nature, with the chance to have free tours and get involved in a topical discussion. The museum also hosts the very popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The Earth Galleries focus on the geological history of the Earth and the solar system. You can see the earth from outer space and a simulated earthquake and volcanic eruption. There’s also an extensive collection of minerals and stones. Additionally, this gallery’s collection of dinosaur skeletons is one of the museum’s biggest attractions. There are several life-sized models in the Dinosaur Hall, and you’ll also encounter the skeleton of a Diplodocus in the central hall.

The Wildlife Gallery is a one-acre garden space on the museum’s west lawn. It recreates different British habitats, including marsh, ponds, oak and bluebell woods, hedgerows, and grass meadows.

The museum also presents an ongoing program of Temporary Exhibits with themes ranging from artwork depicting animals to Myths and Monsters, Predators, photographic competitions, and more.

Highlights at the Natural History Museum:

• Life in the Dark: Experience life without daylight and put your senses to the test in this fascinating exhibition. Where you get to experience the world of nocturnal animals and how they live.
• Human Evolution: In this exciting exhibit, meet your ancient relatives and learn more about who we are and where we came from.
• Sensational Butterflies: Visit the tropical butterfly house to see some of the most beautiful and fascinating butterflies and moths up close and personal.

These are just some of the famous exhibitions at this Museum. The Natural History Museum also hosts a variety of fun and engaging events, such as CSI live, Silent discos, sleepover cinema for grown-ups, and so much more.

It is worth mentioning that perhaps the most famous exhibit there is Dippy the Diplodocus, a 70ft plaster-cast dinosaur skeleton that greets you the minute you walk into the Museum’s spectacular Hintze Hall. Much loved and seen by an estimated 90 million visitors, Dippy’s been standing guard since 1979 but is already going on tour around the country. Dippy will be replaced by the equally impressive four-tonne blue whale skeleton in its two-year absence.

The Natural History Museum has a range of cafes and restaurants, but you can also bring your lunch, which you can enjoy in the picnic area. If you fancy browsing the museum’s shops afterwards, you can pick up souvenirs from models and fossils at the Dino store and treasures from Earth in the Earth shop.

Filming at the Natural History Museum

The museum has served as a location for classic children’s adventures, such as One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing, Loch Ness, and Paddington. Climatic scenes in Poirot and Spooks have also been set and shot here. The building’s sweeping grandeur has also led to doubling for more unusual locations such as an Intergalactic Space Palace in Jupiter Ascending and Angelina Jolie’s base in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It has been most recently seen in The Mummy remake. A rear and front car park provides excellent, easy-access loading bay facilities for production teams and vehicles. Read more on filming at the museum here.

Useful information

The museum is open daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 5:50 p.m. It’s open all year round (except for 24th, 25th, and 26th December). Admission is free, but there is a charge for some tours, events, and temporary exhibitions.

Gift Shop

There are three great gift shops. In Hintze Hall, you’ll find the Museum Shop for nature-inspired items. Head to the Red Zone for the swanky Cranbourne Boutique for exclusive fashion and luxury decorations. Finally, there’s the Dino Store at the exit of the Dinosaur gallery, which sells toys, games, mugs, and clothing with a prehistoric theme.

Family Visits

You can borrow Explorer Backpacks from the central Hintze Hall information desk if you’re here with children under seven. Inside, there’s an activity booklet, safari hat, and binoculars. They’re free of charge, but you will need to leave some form of ID as a deposit.

Directions

Getting there is easy; the museum, the neighbouring Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum are accessible directly from the South Kensington tube station. Just follow the signposted route through underground pedestrian tunnels from the station.

Last Words

In a bustling metropolis teeming with cultural landmarks and attractions, the Natural History Museum stands out as a timeless treasure, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of discovery and wonder. From its awe-inspiring architecture to its world-class collections and educational programs, the museum continues to inspire, educate, and delight audiences of all ages. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, a trip to the Natural History Museum will leave a lasting impression, igniting a passion for science, nature, and the world’s beauty.

The museum makes for a great family day out and an original event venue; the content is fascinating! Have you ever been to the Natural History Museum in London? Or are you planning a trip there soon? We would love to hear about any experiences you have 🙂

You may also enjoy other locations we have visited in London: The National Gallery, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.