It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington (map), the others being the Science Museum (map) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (map). The Natural History Museum’s main frontage, however, is on Cromwell Road.

Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Charles Darwin.

The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture—sometimes dubbed a cathedral of nature—both exemplified by the large Diplodocus cast that dominated the vaulted central hall before it was replaced in 2017 with the skeleton of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Discover • Collections • Galleries and Museum map

The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology.

The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments; access to the library is by appointment only. The museum is recognised as the pre-eminent centre of natural history and research of related fields in the world.

Like other publicly funded national museums in the United Kingdom, the Natural History Museum does not charge an admission fee.

The museum is divided into four sets of galleries, or zones, each colour coded to follow a broad theme.

Red Zone. This is the zone that can be entered from Exhibition Road, on the East side of the building. It is a gallery themed around the changing history of the Earth.

Green zone. This zone is accessed from the Cromwell Road entrance via the Hintze Hall and follows the theme of the evolution of the planet.

Blue zone. To the left of the Hintze Hall, this zone explores the diversity of life on the planet.

Orange zone. Enables the public to see science at work and also provides spaces for relaxation and contemplation. Accessible from Queens Gate.

The closest London Underground station is South Kensington (map) — there is a tunnel from the station that emerges close to the entrances of all three museums. Admission is free, though there are donation boxes in the foyer.

Museum Lane (map) immediately to the north provides disabled access to the museum.

TRANSPORT FOR LONDON – is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Their website contains maps plus an excellent journey planner. The Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. (+ Connections map)

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Getting around (visitlondon.com) • Transport (london.gov.uk) • Travel to and around England (visitengland.com)

BUS: National Express. By far the largest domestic coach operator and operates services throughout Great Britain. London’s coach hub is Victoria Coach Station (map), an Art Deco building opened in 1932.

TRAIN: National Rail network, with 70 per cent of rail journeys starting or ending in London. + Train – Planning trip.

AIRPORT: Heathrow Airport, in Hillingdon, was for many years the busiest airport in the world for international traffic. Gatwick Airport is second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. ⇒ airportguides.co.uk – list of airports.

FERRY: River boat services on the Thames known as Thames Clippers, which offers both commuter and tourist boat services. + River Transport Services.

Bicycles may be taken on car ferries and on Eurotunnel shuttle trains. Eurostar allows folding bikes on all its trains, and offers a more restricted service for other bikes, but has quite strict and specific rules that are worth reading up on before you travel.

Dippy the Diplodocus visited eight UK venues as part of Dippy on Tour and was seen by over two million visitors. The much-loved dinosaur then returned to the Museum for a temporary installation and said hello to over one million visitors.

As our very own dino-star will soon be leaving London to go on long-term loan to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry, we are preparing to welcome another gigantic guest in March 2023!

⇒ video source: Natural History Museum / youtube.com /

Ways to visit the UK. Visit for tourism, business or a short stay (up to 6 months), airport transit visas. + Visa & Entry (visitbritain.com)

Our article about the city of London. Information about the city’s attractions, culture, events, and activities. Public transport.

We can help you making your journey using the most up to date information from around the UK for all transport companies.