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
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Free entry
- Cafés
- Shops
- Cloakroom
- Quiet spaces
Why we recommend it
The Natural History Museum's Romanesque building on Cromwell Road is a sight in itself, with terracotta animals carved into its walls. Inside, the galleries cover dinosaurs, mammals, minerals, volcanoes and human evolution, and the vast Hintze Hall makes an unforgettable first impression.
The main galleries are free. Booking a free entry ticket online is worthwhile at weekends and in school holidays, when queues can form on Cromwell Road. Weekday mornings in term time are noticeably calmer. Families should plan around the most popular dinosaur displays and save quieter galleries for later. South Kensington station is linked to the museum by a pedestrian subway, and the Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum are next door, so it is easy to combine visits.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
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.