Natural History Museum

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Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep

Dive back in time to meet the fiercest marine reptiles ever to swim the oceans, from giant ichthyosaurs to plesiosaurs, in this immersive deep-sea exhibition.

Now showing22 May – 3 Jan 2027· £15

Sir Richard Owen: A Natural Legacy

A free display on the life of Sir Richard Owen, the Victorian zoologist and palaeontologist whose vision led to the creation of the Natural History Museum, featuring previously unseen artworks, personal publications, and archival photographs.

Now showing24 Jul – 4 Jan 2027· Free

Visions of Nature

The Museum's first mixed-reality experience, imagining a thriving planet 100 years into the future through immersive technology and expert science.

Now showingUntil 31 Oct

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Back for another year with 100 new images: the world's best nature photography, from polar landscapes to tropical rainforests, displayed in an immersive exhibition of award-winning shots.

Now showing16 Oct – 11 Jul 2027· £17

Permanent Collections

Red Zone: Earth Galleries

Ride an escalator through a giant globe into galleries on volcanoes, earthquakes, minerals, and the forces that shape our planet.

Permanent collection· Free

Green Zone: Hintze Hall and Earth Sciences

Hope the blue whale hangs in Hintze Hall, alongside fossils, minerals, a rare meteorite collection, and the jewel-filled Vault gallery.

Permanent collection· Free

Blue Zone: Dinosaurs and Ocean Life

The animatronic T. rex, an 82ft diplodocus cast, marine reptiles, and vast mammal skeletons - the museum's most popular galleries.

Permanent collection· Free

Darwin Centre

An eight-storey cocoon housing 28 million insect and plant specimens. Scientists work behind glass - you can watch real research in progress.

Permanent collection· Free

Audio guide options for Natural History Museum

A quick side-by-side of how Musa stacks up against the audio guides commonly used at this museum.

• Official audio (SoundCloud): Free tracks scattered across SoundCloud and the museum site. No single tour or map.
• Vusiem app: Requires installing the Vusiem app for the Natural History Museum.
• WeGoTrip: Paid third-party tour, sold inside the WeGoTrip app.

Nearby

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Science Museum

ChildrenFree2 min walk

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Victoria and Albert Museum

DesignFree3 min walk

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Serpentine Gallery

ArchitectureFree11 min walk

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Saatchi Gallery

ArtFree16 min walk

Good to know

• David Attenborough's free Natural History Museum London audio guide: how to find and listenYes, David Attenborough narrates a free 24-track audio tour of the NHM's Hintze Hall. It has been published by the museum since May 2018, it lives on...
• Best audio guide for the Natural History Museum London (2026)The short answer: for most visitors, the best audio guide is the museum's own free Hintze Hall tour on SoundCloud, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. It...
• Natural History Museum London Dinosaur Gallery Audio Guide: The Honest GuideThe honest answer first: the Natural History Museum in London does not publish a dedicated audio guide for the Dinosaur Gallery. The museum's free audio...
• Do I Need Headphones for the Natural History Museum London Audio Guide?Yes, bring your own. The Natural History Museum does not provide them. There is no headphone rental counter, no vending machine, and no loan desk at the...
• Does the Natural History Museum London have an audio guide?Yes, sort of. The Natural History Museum in London offers free audio guides for several galleries, but there is no handset rental at the door and no...
• Hintze Hall audio guide (Natural History Museum London): Attenborough's tour explainedThe Natural History Museum's free Hintze Hall audio guide is a 24-track SoundCloud playlist. Sir David Attenborough narrates the introduction to Hope, the...
• How Long Does the Natural History Museum London Take With an Audio Guide?Plan on 90 minutes for highlights, 3 to 4 hours for a proper visit, and 6 to 8 hours for a full day. Adding a self-guided audio tour tends to extend dwell...
• How to Download the Natural History Museum London Audio GuideShort answer: you cannot download it as a single file or a dedicated app, because neither exists. The Natural History Museum in London does not publish an...
• Natural History Museum London Human Evolution Audio Guide: What Exists and What to ExpectThe Natural History Museum does publish a dedicated audio guide for the Human Evolution gallery, but it is not part of the main Hintze Hall audio tour...
• Is the Natural History Museum London Audio Guide Free? (Yes, and Here's the Catch)Yes. The Natural History Museum's official audio guide is free. All 24 guides live on the museum's SoundCloud channel at soundcloud.com/nhmlondon, and you...

Visitor Information

Is Natural History Museum free to visit?

Yes, general admission to Natural History Museum is free. Some special exhibitions and events require paid tickets. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.

What are the opening hours of Natural History Museum?

Natural History Museum is open Daily 10:00–17:50, last entry 17:20. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Natural History Museum?

Natural History Museum is located at Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, in the South Kensington area of London. The nearest station is South Kensington.

What can I see at Natural History Museum?

Dinosaurs, blue whales, and 80 million specimens in a cathedral of nature. Current highlights include Red Zone: Earth Galleries, Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Visions of Nature.

Do I need to book Natural History Museum in advance?

Natural History Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Some special exhibitions and events require paid tickets. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.

When is the best time to visit Natural History Museum?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Is Natural History Museum accessible?

Step-free access throughout. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters available. Sensory map and visual stories for visitors with autism.