Natural History Museum, London
Natural History Museum, London
5 minutes read•Published on 03-11-2024
If you're in London, the Natural History Museum is a must-visit place. It's situated in South Kensington, London, and well-known for its focus on life and earth science studies. This museum is home to roughly 80 million items, grouped into five major collections - plants (botany), insects (entomology), minerals (mineralogy), fossils (paleontology), and animals (zoology). Dinosaur skeleton displays are one of its popular attractions. The museum is a key point of visit for local and international tourists. Its notable role in the research and education of natural history makes it quite a significant place.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Natural History Museum, London with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Natural History Museum in London first opened its doors in 1881, but its roots go back further, to the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish doctor and scientist from the late 1600s. Over time, the museum's collection saw substantial growth. Its initial location was Montagu House in Bloomsbury, but the collection outpaced the size of the building. The solution was to create a new space for the ever-increasing exhibits.
British biologist and paleontologist, Sir Richard Owen, was key in the creation and design of the new museum. Owen's vision was a museum where everyone could learn about natural history, sparking the construction of a spectacular new building in South Kensington. The design of this new structure was the work of the architect, Alfred Waterhouse.
When the doors of the South Kensington building opened in 1881, it attracted many people. One of the key attractions was the collection of specimens gathered by the renowned British scientist, Charles Darwin, who significantly contributed to natural history knowledge. The building that houses the museum is now an acknowledged architectural gem, showcasing Romanesque-style architecture in Britain.
In its lengthy existence, the Natural History Museum has marked its place as one of the world's leading research and learning centres. It's also one of the most visited spots in London, drawing in many tourists every year. With its expansive collection, regular exhibitions, and research activities, the museum never stops contributing to our knowledge and understanding of nature.
One reason to visit
Hope, the Blue Whale Skeleton.
One of the coolest things to see at the Natural History Museum in London is Hope, the incredible blue whale skeleton. Suspended from the ceiling in the grand Hintze Hall, Hope greets visitors with an awe-inspiring display that perfectly blends natural history and a strong reminder of why conservation matters. Measuring a jaw-dropping 25.2 meters in length, this skeleton shows just how massive the largest animal to ever live on Earth really was. The story behind Hope is pretty moving too—she was a young female whale that washed up on the shores of Wexford, Ireland, back in 1891. Now, she stands as a powerful symbol of the museums dedication to understanding our natural world and protecting marine life. Standing beneath her, you cant help but feel a sense of wonder and reflection about how we all play a role in keeping our oceans thriving. Seeing Hope is an experience you wont forget, sparking curiosity and inspiring you to think about how we can preserve the amazing world we live in.
Getting there
Starting your journey at Westminster station, head southwest on Bridge Street towards Victoria Embankment. Then, turn left onto Victoria Embankment. Continue onto Northumberland Avenue and take a right turn onto Trafalgar Square. Take the 2nd exit from the roundabout and continue straight onto Pall Mall, which turns slightly left and becomes St. James's Street. Continue onto Piccadilly and take a slight right onto Knightsbridge. Turn right onto Exhibition Road and you'll find Natural History Museum, London. All these directions should take about 1 hour and 18 minutes by foot, covering a distance of approximately 4.9 km. Please note, timings may vary based on your walking speed and sudden changes in the traffic.
Start your bike journey to the Natural History Museum, London by biking west on London Road/B154 towards Kingsway/A4200. Continue to follow B154, turn left onto Endell St and continue onto Long Acre/B402. Use the right lane to turn onto Drury Ln/A4200, and then turn left onto High Holborn/A40. Turn right onto Kingsway/A4200, continue straight onto Aldwych/A4 and then onto Strand/A4. Keep going straight, eventually coming to a roundabout, where you should take the 2nd exit onto Knightsbridge/A4, passing by a station on your left. Continue riding, until you turn right onto Exhibition Rd and you'll find the museum on your right.
To reach the Natural History Museum, London, you have numerous public transportation options from different parts of the city. If you prefer to travel by Tube, you can take the Piccadilly Line and get off at South Kensington station. This station is roughly a 5-minute walk from the museum. Alternatively, you can use several bus services including numbers 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, and C1, all stopping near the museum. If you choose to travel by bicycle, there are Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations available on Exhibition Road. For those who wish to travel by rail, the nearest train station is Victoria. After exiting the Victoria station, you can take the Circle, District or Piccadilly Line to reach the South Kensington station.
Starting from central London, drive into A4 and follow this road until you get to the junction with A3220. Turn left onto A3220 towards Earl's Court. Continue on A3220 until you get to the junction with A315, then turn right. Stay on A315 until you see signs for the Natural History Museum, located on Cromwell Road. Make sure to check your parking arrangements ahead of time as parking around the museum is often limited.
