The name says it really – focusing on natural history, this museum contains more than 70 million life and earth specimens within its five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. If that sounds like gobbledegook to you, don’t worry – it’s essentially anything to do with the natural world. The museum is divided into Life Galleries (including animatronic dinosaurs and creepy crawlies) - and Earth Galleries (including exhibitions on how planets form, volcanoes and earthquakes and the earth’s ecology).
Why should I go there?
This museum really captures everyone’s imagination, whether young or old. The (albeit a little tired looking) blue whale model, stuffed dodo and famous dinosaur skeletons are agelessly popular, and there are enough different displays and activities to keep you occupied for hours. Many exhibits have historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin, and it’s all located in a beautifully ornate building. The Museum’s very children-friendly, there are regular temporary exhibitions and in winter you can don your skates on the icerink in the wonderful setting of the gardens.
Where is the Museum?
It’s in ‘Museumland’ on Cromwell Road, near the Science Museum and V&A. Like the others it’s easily reached from South Kensington tube station – just follow the signs.
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