Attraction
British Museum
Britain's great museum of world history and culture in Bloomsbury, with free entry to a permanent collection spanning two million years of human civilisation.
Natural History Museum
A cathedral-like Victorian museum in South Kensington with free galleries of dinosaurs, minerals, wildlife and earth sciences.
At a glance
- Type
- Natural history museum
- Area
- South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
- Opening
- Open daily · 10:00–17:50
- Official site
- nhm.ac.uk
Good to know
- Free entry
- Cafés
- Shops
- Cloakroom
- Quiet spaces
Why we recommend it
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington occupies a Romanesque-style building designed by Alfred Waterhouse and opened in 1881, its terracotta facade decorated with carved animals and plants. Inside, the galleries cover life and the Earth, from dinosaurs and fossils to minerals, meteorites, mammals and the processes that shape the planet. Entry to the galleries is free, and it is one of London's most popular museums with families.
The first sight for most visitors is Hintze Hall, the great central hall where a blue whale skeleton hangs from the ceiling. From there, the Dinosaurs gallery, with its animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex, is the most visited part of the building, so it is worth heading there early or late in the day. Other strong choices include the mammal hall with its life-size models, the Earth galleries reached by an escalator through a giant globe, the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery, the mineral collection, and the Vault, which displays rare gemstones and meteorites. Paid exhibitions and events run throughout the year.
The museum works especially well for families with children of all ages, but adults with an interest in science or Victorian architecture will find plenty to enjoy. It can be very busy at weekends and during school holidays, when queues form at the entrances. Booking a free entry ticket online helps avoid queues at busy times, and there are cloakrooms, cafés, shops and quiet spaces for anyone who needs a break.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30, and closes from 24 to 26 December. Allow at least two to three hours to see the main galleries without rushing. Bags may be searched on arrival. The building has lifts and accessible routes, and detailed accessibility information is available on the official website.
South Kensington Underground station, on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines, is a few minutes' walk away, connected by a pedestrian subway for much of the route. The Victoria and Albert Museum is next door and the Science Museum is just around the corner on Exhibition Road, so many visitors combine two museums in a day. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a short walk north.
Natural History Museum FAQs
Is the Natural History Museum free?
Yes, the galleries are free. Some exhibitions and events are paid.
Do I need a ticket?
Free entry tickets can be booked online and help avoid queues at busy times.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30. It closes from 24 to 26 December.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the main galleries, longer with children or for exhibitions.
When is it least busy?
Weekday afternoons outside school holidays tend to be quieter than weekends.
What is in Hintze Hall?
The central hall is home to a large blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling.
Which station is nearest?
South Kensington on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines, a few minutes' walk away.
Are there places to eat?
Yes, the museum has cafés and shops, as well as cloakrooms and quiet spaces.