Visit us
Come and explore...
Get up close in the new Darwin Centre Cocoon
From where to eat and drink to information on our galleries and latest exhibitions, Visit us will help you plan a great day out.
Entry is free!
(There is a charge for some temporary exhibitions)
Opening times
| Open every day | 10.00 - 17.50 |
| Last admission | 17.30 |
The Museum is open every day, including Sundays and bank holidays, but closed 24 - 26 December.
Dinosaur gallery closure
The Dinosaur gallery is closed for essential refurbishment from 6 June to 22 July 2011 this summer. We realise this will cause disappointment to some of our visitors and apologise for any inconvenience.
Our Age of the Dinosaur exhibition is open and you can enjoy other dinosaur displays in our permanent galleries.
Roadworks
There are currently extensive roadworks around South Kensington underground station. We recommend you use Gloucester Road station, which is 500m (5-10-minute walk) to the Museum, and avoid South Kensington pedestrian tunnel which may be congested. View this map for details.
Keep up to date at NHM_Visiting on Twitter
Visiting Tring? Find out the opening times at the Natural History Museum at Tring here.
For your security, most areas of the Museum are protected by CCTV.
On entry to the Museum your bags and other personal items will be inspected. We advise you not to bring any sharp objects such as metal knives, forks, scissors, etc. to the Museum, as they may be confiscated.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Parents' survival guide
Bringing the kids? From special activities to bags and pushchairs, here's your essential guide.
What's on
From the latest gallery highlights, daily activities and films to special exhibitions and events, find out what’s on for visitors.
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Booking
Find out about booking information for our events and exhibitions. And how to book your Darwin Centre Cocoon visit.
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Floor Plans
View and print out maps to help plan your visit to the Museum.
What's on
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Age of the Dinosaur
Step back in time to Jurassic swamps and Cretaceous forests where you'll meet life-size, moving animatronic dinosaurs.
22 Apr 2011 - 04 Sep 2011 -
Sensational Butterflies
Explore the sensory world of butterflies and see 100s of live butterflies in the beautiful, outdoor butterfly house.
12 Apr 2011 - 11 Sep 2011 -
Open Garden Squares Weekend 2011
The Wildlife Garden is once again taking part in the Open Garden Squares Weekend.
11 Jun 2011 - 12 Jun 2011
This month's highlights
This intriguing tray of toys from the Science Museum's collection hasn't been on public display before.
Unique 'World of toys' exhibit on show
Admire this unusual object from the Science Museum showing here in the Lasting Impressions gallery as part of our First Time Out museums' collaboration.
What's on for kids in June
Lots of dino fun at exhibitions, events and special activities, live butterflies on the lawn, and hands-on specimens to explore. Find out more.
Images of Nature gallery - second rotation
See the second rotation of 19th-century Chinese watercolours and explore the Museum’s world-famous collection of natural history artworks in this new gallery.
Cora Sun-Drop diamond: new to The Vault
See the gorgeous 110-carat Cora Sun-Drop diamond in the Vault gallery for a limited time only. Large coloured diamonds like this one are rare in nature.
Vote for OPAL in the National Lottery Awards
The Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL) has been shortlisted in the Best Environment Project category. We need your vote!