Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton and gems in a Romanesque palace; a favourite with children and free to enter.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Opening hours
- Daily 10:00–17:50 (last entry 17:30)
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 120 min
- Official website
- nhm.ac.uk
What to expect
The Natural History Museum opened in South Kensington in 1881 in a Romanesque building by Alfred Waterhouse, covered in terracotta tiles that cope well with London's grime. It looks after about 80 million specimens of plants, insects, minerals, fossils and animals. Entry is free, and it is the most visited attraction in the UK.
The grand central space, Hintze Hall, is dominated by a blue whale skeleton called Hope, which replaced the Diplodocus cast Dippy. Dinosaurs have their own galleries, and the Earth Galleries have an escalator that carries you through a model of the planet. At the back, the Darwin Centre and the Wildlife Garden are a quieter part. It is popular with families and often busy.
Don't miss
- The blue whale skeleton Hope in Hintze Hall
- The dinosaur galleries
- The escalator through the model Earth
- The terracotta facade of the building
- Archie the giant squid in the Darwin Centre
Tips for your visit
- Arrive at opening time to see the dinosaurs before the crowds.
- Pick a few zones rather than trying to see everything.
- It is next door to the Science Museum and the V&A, so choose one for a half day.
- Children enjoy it, so allow more time with a family.
Getting there from Trafalgar Square
🚇 15 min by Tube (line District / Circle: Westminster → South Kensington) · 4.4 km · 54 min walk
Where to eat nearby
- Casa Brindisa (European · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 5 min walk
- Daquise (European · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 5 min walk
- Ognisko Restaurant (European · £££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 6 min walk
- Ceru (World · ££ · Kensington & Chelsea) · 🚶 6 min walk
Breakfast nearby
No breakfast spot within a 15-minute walk. Have breakfast near your hotel or in the centre before you go.
Other sights nearby
- Science Museum · Museum · 🚶 0.2 km · 3 min walk
- Victoria and Albert Museum · Museum · 🚶 0.4 km · 6 min walk
- Harrods · Shopping · 🚶 1.2 km · 15 min walk
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