Natural History Museum in London – Igniting Curiosity and Inspiring Minds

a very tall building with a clock on it's side

The Natural History Museum opened in London on April 18, 1881, which to this day is one of the most famous museums in the world and is an important tourist attraction in the capital of Great Britain. The collection of the London museum has over 70 million exhibits. Its origins can be traced back to the collection assembled by Hans Sloane.

The origins of the collections of the museum can be traced back to the collection of Dr. Hans Sloane, a Killyleagh native. He became renowned in the latter half of the 17th century for unveiling the health benefits of chocolate during his voyages to Jamaica. From that time on, chocolate began to be sold as a medicine in London pharmacies. Sloane had many interests from an early age. One of them was creating a collection of curiosities: plants or minerals brought from numerous travels. The doctor’s collection included over 70,000 artifacts, including dried plants, as well as skeletons of animals and humans. In 1753, after Sloane’s death, in accordance with the will of the deceased, the items he had collected were purchased by the British Parliament at a bargain price. The exhibits formed the basis for the British Museum and gave rise to the Natural History Museum. However, in the 19th century, most of the collections of the British doctor were lost or destroyed.

The Natural History Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. It houses a vast collection of exhibits, including dinosaurs, fossils, minerals, and plants. The museum is also home to a number of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the natural world.

a large building with many windows and a clock

The building of the museum itself makes an incredible impression. The Natural History Museum is divided into five thematic zones.

HINTZE HALL

The visit to the museum begins in a breathtaking hall, in the center of which is a model of the skeleton of a huge dinosaur Diplodocus. From head to tail, it is over 26 meters long.

From the mezzanine on the opposite side of the entrance, Charles Darwin, the creator of the theory of evolution, looks down on visitors entering the museum. Be sure to look up to see the mosaics on the ceiling. If you would like to get some energy before your tour – there is a cafe behind the stairs.

natural history museum, london, architecture

BLUE ZONE

The Blue Zone at the Natural History Museum is home to a variety of exhibits that explore the diversity of life on Earth. Here are some of the things you can see in the Blue Zone:

Dinosaurs: The Dinosaur Gallery is one of the most popular exhibits in the museum. It features a collection of dinosaur fossils and skeletons, including a 25-meter-long skeleton of a Diplodocus.
Mammals: The Mammals Gallery features a wide range of mammal specimens, from tiny bats to giant elephants. You can learn about the evolution of mammals, their adaptations to different environments, and their conservation status.
Whales and dolphins: The Whale Hall is home to a collection of whale and dolphin skeletons, including a life-size blue whale skeleton. You can learn about the biology of whales and dolphins, their threats, and their conservation.
Minerals: The Mineral Gallery features a collection of minerals from all over the world. You can learn about the different types of minerals, their properties, and their uses.
Plants: The Botany Gallery features a collection of plants from all over the world. You can learn about the different types of plants, their adaptations to different environments, and their importance to humans.
The Blue Zone is also home to a number of temporary exhibits that change throughout the year. You can check the museum’s website for a list of current exhibits.

Side view on dinosaurs head on exhibition

ORANGE ZONE

The Orange Zone at the Natural History Museum in London is home to the Darwin Centre, which houses the museum’s vast collection of specimens and laboratories. Visitors can explore the Darwin Centre on a self-guided tour and see scientists at work, as well as learn about the museum’s research and collections.

The Orange Zone also features the Wildlife Garden, which is home to a variety of living animals, including birds, bees, insects, and sheep. The Wildlife Garden is a great place to relax and enjoy nature in the heart of London. It is open from April to early November.

It is a great place to learn about the natural world and see some of the museum’s most fascinating specimens and collections.

GREEN ZONE

The Green Zone at the Natural History Museum in London is dedicated to exploring the evolution of our planet, from its formation billions of years ago to the present day. Visitors can learn about the changing Earth through interactive exhibits, specimens, and models. The Green Zone is also home to the museum’s Investigate Centre, a hands-on learning space for families and children.

Here are some of the things you can see and do in the Green Zone:

Explore the Earth’s history: Trace the Earth’s evolution from its fiery beginnings to the present day through interactive exhibits and specimens. Learn about the formation of continents, the rise and fall of dinosaurs, and the Ice Ages.
See the Earth’s treasures: Discover the amazing diversity of minerals and rocks that make up our planet. Visit the Minerals Gallery to see a collection of over 20,000 specimens from all over the world.
Investigate the natural world: Get hands-on at the Investigate Centre, a dedicated learning space for families and children. Explore a variety of interactive exhibits, take part in experiments, and meet with scientists.
Discover the secrets of life: Learn about the evolution of life on Earth in the Darwin Centre, which houses the museum’s vast collection of specimens and laboratories. See scientists at work, explore the museum’s research, and learn about the diversity of life on our planet.

The Green Zone is a great place to learn about our planet and its amazing history. With its interactive exhibits, specimens, and models, the Green Zone will bring the Earth’s story to life for visitors of all ages.

a person pointing at a rock with writing on it

RED ZONE

The Red Zone at the Natural History Museum in London is dedicated to exploring the forces that shape our planet. Visitors can learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, and the Earth’s interior through interactive exhibits, specimens, and models. The Red Zone is also home to the museum’s Earth Hall, a spectacular dome that showcases the Earth as a dynamic planet.

Here are some of the things you can see and do in the Red Zone:

Explore the Earth’s forces: Journey through a giant metallic globe to discover the Earth’s interior and the forces that shape our planet. Learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics through interactive exhibits, specimens, and models.
Experience volcanoes: Stand beneath the towering cone of a volcano and learn about the power and destruction of these fiery mountains. See volcanic ash and pumice, and learn about the impact of volcanoes on human life.
Witness earthquakes: Feel the ground tremble beneath your feet as you experience an earthquake simulation. Learn about the science of earthquakes, how they are measured, and how to prepare for them.
See the Earth in a new light: Take in the breathtaking view of the Earth from the top of the Earth Hall. This spectacular dome showcases our planet as a dynamic and ever-changing place.
Explore Earth’s resources: Learn about the Earth’s mineral resources, from precious metals to gemstones, and how they are used in our daily lives. See a collection of minerals from all over the world, and discover how they are formed.
The Red Zone is a great place to learn about the forces that shape our planet and the challenges we face in understanding and mitigating natural disasters. With its interactive exhibits, specimens, and models, the Red Zone will bring the Earth’s story to life for visitors of all ages.

a group of people walking through a building

Practical information:

Admission: Admission to the museum is free. Tickets are only purchased for special events or exhibitions.
Opening hours: The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:50 pm.
Visiting time: It is worth devoting at least three hours to visiting the museum. In the summer, you can expect long queues and a waiting time of approximately 30-50 minutes.
Social media: The museum’s official app can be found at www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/visitor-app.html. You can also follow the museum on Twitter and Instagram.

Practical tips for visitors:

If you are planning to visit during the summer season, it is worth buying tickets online and booking your visiting time. This will avoid queuing.
If you are coming with children, it is worth taking snacks and drinks with you. There are a few cafes and restaurants in the museum, but the prices are quite high there.
The museum is very large, so it is worth taking comfortable shoes with you.
If you want to learn more about the exhibition, it is worth using an audio guide.

Ways to get to the Natural History Museum in London:

By tube – the nearest tube station is South Kensington, which is on the Piccadilly line. From the tube station, it is a short walk to the museum’s main entrance on Cromwell Road.

By bus – there are several bus routes that stop near the museum. These include:

Route 14: This route runs between Chelsea and Russel Square and stops on Cromwell Road, just a short walk from the museum.
Route 328: This route runs between Notting Hill Gate and Clapton and stops on Exhibition Road, just a short walk from the museum.
Route 414: This route runs between Archway and Putney Bridge and stops on Exhibition Road, just a short walk from the museum.

By train – the nearest train station is South Kensington, which is served by the District line and the Circle line. From the train station, it is a short walk to the museum’s main entrance on Cromwell Road.

By car – the museum is located in central London, just off the A4 road. There is car parking available at the museum, but it is often busy and can be expensive.

By bicycle – here are several cycle paths near the museum, and there is bicycle parking available at the museum.

Here are some additional tips for getting to the museum:

If you are traveling from outside of London, you can take the Heathrow Express train from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station. From Paddington Station, you can take the District line to South Kensington Station.
If you are traveling from within London, you can use the Transport for London website or app to plan your journey.
If you are traveling with young children, you may want to consider taking a taxi or Uber to the museum.

The Natural History Museum in London is a must-visit for anyone interested in the natural world. With its vast collection of exhibits, interactive displays, and engaging storytelling, the museum offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a dinosaur enthusiast, a budding scientist, or simply curious about the planet we call home, the Natural History Museum is sure to educate, inspire, and entertain.