The Natural History Museum is a fascinating place to visit. Astonishingly, its collections comprise an incredible 80 million specimens! Here you and your family can all explore the history of life on earth. The diversity of the planet never ceases to amaze and delight. It is one of London’s most popular museums for children. The dinosaur collection is unique and the life-sized model of the blue whale is absolutely stunning.

Visit for free

Visiting the Natural History Museum is free. For the best experience you are advised to book a ticket before your visit, especially during busy times.

The museum originally housed the items brought back by Charles Darwin and Captain Cook’s botanist Joseph Banks. And these days it combines traditional displays with contemporary hands on exhibits which are a delight for visitors of all ages.

The museum has become over the years a hot-bed of research and employs more than 300 scientists and librarians. It is a global resource for the scientific academic community.

The Natural History Museum has a great website and offers a great learning experiences for families and children of all ages!

Click here for a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum >

Our Broken Planet will make you think twice about the environment and how you use plastic…..

Self-guided tours

Whether you are coming to the Museum for the first time or the fiftieth, these tours take you through the best of the Museum. Each tour takes approximately two hours to complete.

Family Favourites: This tour walks you through some of the Museum’s biggest sights – including dinosaurs, whales and volcanoes – and is perfect for families.

Exhibits with Impact: This tour guides you through some of the Museum’s most fascinating stories. It is particularly aimed at adults and solo travellers.

Hidden Treasures: Even if you’ve visited before and seen the highlights there’s still plenty to discover. This tour guides you through some of the Museum’s lesser-known treasures and is great for all ages.

Free things to do at the Museum

There is so much for families to explore! Stomp like a dinosaur, say hi to a stegosaurus, quake in your boots, hang out with hope. Read more…..

See the fossil collections

In this collection you can explore the marine reptiles which existed when dinosaurs ruled the earth. They have endured the test of time and now exist as as painstakingly collection of fossils. There are very many at the Natural History Museum for you to delight in. Children love to inspect the detail of the fossils.

Lates

You might be surprised to learn that there is an extensive after hours programme at the Museum. There, you can enjoy a range of exhibitions, talks and science demonstrations. Of course accompanied by food and drinks at night! These popular events take place on the last Friday of each month. You are recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dinosaurs

Ever since they were first identified in the 1800s dinosaurs have sparked the imagination of kids and adults alike. At the Natural History Museum you can explore the history of these prehistoric reptiles, see what they looked like and how they lived.

Virtual Museum: 13 ways to explore from home

Delve into the Museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Find activities and ideas to occupy yourself and family at home, in your garden or local outdoor space. Learn more…..

EXHIBITIONS

Wildlife photographer of the year – until June 2025

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is an opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s best nature photography. Over 100 displays to explore. Come along and see some spectacular captures of the world’s richest habitats. See fascinating animal behaviour and get to know some extraordinary species through the images featured in the collection. Book your tickets here…..

Address

The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd
South Kensington
London
SW7 5BD

Entrances

Cromwell Road (access at the corner of Exhibition Road): This enhance is open and has step-free access. Closest Tube station: South Kensington. This station is not step-free. Gloucester Road Tube station has step-free access.

Exhibition Road: This entrance is open and has step-free access. Closest Tube station: South Kensington. This station is not step-free. Gloucester Road Tube station has step-free access.

Queen’s Gate: This entrance is closed. Closest Tube station: Gloucester Road.

Getting there

By tube: The nearest underground is South Kensington. It is on the District, Piccadilly and Circle lines. It is just 5 minutes’ walk from the Museum’s Exhibition Road entrance. You can also reach the museum easily from Gloucester Road station. It is approximately 7 minutes’ walk from the Queen’s Gate entrance. See TfL journey planner for the quickest route to the Museum and follow Transport for London’s Coronavirus safe travel guidance.

By bus

Routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430 and C1 stop close to the Museum.

By Bicycle

There are cycle racks on Exhibition Road. The nearest cycle hire docking stations are outside the Exhibition Road entrance and on Thurloe Place near South Kensington Tube station.

By coach

For groups travelling by coach, the drop-off point is outside the Cromwell Road entrance.

By car

There are no parking facilities on-site and parking around the Museum is limited.

London’s three main museums

The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are in the same neighbourhood. All three are very easily accessible from South Kensington station on the London underground. And remember that when you come to London with children the museums are a must-see destination. The abundance of hands-on exhibits make this a fun outing to remember for the children.

Accommodation nearby

There are lots of family apartments in the area within walking distance of this and the two other main museums. Within easy access are the popular Cheval Harrington Court and the Ashburn Gardens residence. Both properties are conveniently located  nearby with Point West being on the Cromwell Road and Ashburn Gardens just a minutes’ walk away. And both properties offer some very nice two bedroom apartments, ideal for a family of four. Complimentary WiFi is included at both locations. All apartments have their own private kitchens and bathrooms. These properties are particularly busy during the children’s school holidays so remember to book early!