Short 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 official visitor app. Its free audio content lives on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/nhmlondon, with 24 tracks covering Hintze Hall, the gardens, the Treasures gallery, and others. You play them through a browser or the SoundCloud app. If you want them available without a signal inside the museum, there are two workable routes: a SoundCloud Go+ subscription for legitimate offline playback, or pre-loading the streams over Wi-Fi before you go. Full steps below.
Is there an NHM app to download?
No. Every "Natural History Museum London" app on the App Store or Google Play is a third-party product, not published by the museum. The museum's sanctioned channels are its website (nhm.ac.uk) and SoundCloud. For the full picture on this, see does nhm have audio guide.
The consequence is simple: there is no single install that gives you the museum's audio. You either stream it from SoundCloud, or you use a third-party guided tour app (paid, and unaffiliated with the museum).
How do I access the NHM audio guide on my phone?
You have two equivalent routes.
Route 1: Browser (no install)
- Open your phone browser.
- Go to
soundcloud.com/nhmlondon.
- Tap a track. It streams immediately. No login required.
This is the fastest option if you are already at the museum and want to listen to a single gallery.
Route 2: SoundCloud app
- Install SoundCloud from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app and search for
nhmlondon.
- Tap the profile called "Natural History Museum."
- Follow the profile so the tracks are easy to find again.
- Tap any track to play.
The app behaves better for longer listening sessions and lets you queue tracks.
How do I download the audio for offline use?
The museum does not host downloadable MP3 files for most of its audio. Downloads therefore mean one of the following.
Option A: SoundCloud Go+ (official, paid)
SoundCloud's own offline feature requires a Go+ subscription (around £5.99 per month, with a free trial). With Go+ active:
- Open the track or playlist in the SoundCloud app.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Select "Make available offline."
- Wait for the download indicator to complete.
- The track now plays without a connection.
Offline tracks stay available as long as your subscription is active and the app checks in periodically.
Option B: Pre-cache over Wi-Fi before you go
If you do not want a subscription, the simplest workaround is to stream each track fully on your home Wi-Fi the morning of your visit. SoundCloud caches recently played audio for a short period, which is usually enough for a same-day visit. This is not guaranteed. Treat it as a convenience, not a backup plan.
Option C: Transcripts
NHM publishes text transcripts for most of its SoundCloud tours at nhm.ac.uk/visit/galleries-and-museum-map. If connectivity is a concern, saving the transcript page for offline reading gives you the full content in text form.
Which tracks should I download first?
If you only have time for one, pick the Hintze Hall tour. It is the museum's flagship audio piece and the one most visitors mean when they search for an NHM audio guide. More on that track at attenborough nhm audio guide.
After Hintze Hall, the commonly chosen tracks are:
- Treasures gallery
- Human Evolution
- Volcanoes and Earthquakes
- Urban Nature gardens (seasonal)
The Hintze Hall playlist alone runs about 50 minutes across 24 tracks. The full NHM SoundCloud catalogue across all 20 playlists is several hours, but much of it is short stubs rather than full tours. Note: SoundCloud's free tier plays audio ads between tracks. Option A (Go+ at £5.99/month) removes them. Option B (pre-cache) gets you the audio but not the ad-free experience.
Will the audio work inside the museum without Wi-Fi?
Only if you pre-cached or pre-downloaded it. The museum offers free Wi-Fi (captive portal at nhm.ac.uk/galleries/wifi/login.html), but streaming over it is unreliable in the basement galleries and in crowded conditions. Mobile data on the major UK networks is decent on the ground floor and weaker downstairs.
Recommended setup:
- Download or pre-cache tracks at home.
- Put your phone in airplane mode once you arrive to save battery.
- Use Bluetooth or wired headphones.
- Bring a power bank.
Do I need headphones?
Yes. The museum does not sell or rent headphones on site. Playing audio from a phone speaker inside the galleries is considered antisocial. Any pair you already own will work, wired or Bluetooth. If you forget them, the Boots on Harrington Road is a three-minute walk and stocks basic earbuds. Detailed guidance at do i need headphones nhm.
Quick checklist
- Open
soundcloud.com/nhmlondon or the SoundCloud app.
- Follow the "Natural History Museum" profile.
- Pre-cache or make offline any tracks you want for galleries with weak signal.
- Bring headphones.
- Bring a power bank.
- Save transcripts as a text fallback.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a paid NHM audio guide app worth downloading instead?
The paid apps on the stores (Trishti Systems, Museum Buddy, and similar) are not made by the museum and carry poor ratings. Third-party guided tours from Viator, GetYourGuide, and others are separate products, not NHM content.
Can I download the Attenborough Hintze Hall audio as a single MP3?
The museum does not publish it as a direct download. SoundCloud Go+ is the official offline route. The transcript is published on the NHM website.
Does the audio cost anything?
No. NHM's SoundCloud is free to stream. Only the offline feature (SoundCloud Go+) costs money, and that fee goes to SoundCloud, not the museum.
What languages are available?
The NHM SoundCloud audio is primarily English. For multilingual options you need a third-party app.
How long does the full audio catalogue run?
Roughly two to three hours across 24 tracks, organised by gallery.
About the author
Musa Editorial writes about museum audio guides, accessibility, and visitor experience in London. We test every tour we recommend and disclose when we are comparing our own product against others.
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