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London Natural History Museum Tickets

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Natural History Museum I Home to 80 million specimens

The Natural History Museum is like Hogwarts for science lovers. Open since 1881, it's got 80 million specimens, jaw-dropping dinosaur skeletons, and a blue whale that could swallow you whole (don't worry, it won't). It's also a leading research center tackling conservation and taxonomy. Bonus: you can visit for free. So, whether you're into dino bones or rare minerals, there's something here to blow your mind!

Why visit the Natural History Museum?

  • Enter for free: Who knew you could hang out with dinosaurs, dazzling gems, and a massive blue whale without spending a single pound? Free entry means more cash for post-museum snacks—win-win!
  • Check out millions of specimens: Ever seen an 8.7-meter squid? Or a rock from space? With 80 million specimens, this museum is like Mother Nature's ultimate scrapbook—fossils, gems, and a journey through 4.5 billion years of history!
  • Wander through diverse zones: Think of this place as a science maze—but color-coded! Walk through Earth's history in the Red Zone, meet dinosaurs in the Blue Zone, and watch real science happen in the Orange Zone!
  • Stand in awe at the Dinosaurs Gallery: Gawk at a T. rex, marvel at a Stegosaurus, and explore fossils of ancient creatures you didn't even know existed. This collection has 157 dino species waiting to blow your mind.
  • Admire the architecture: Built in 1881, this terracotta-clad beauty has carvings of living species on one side and extinct ones on the other— it's like an actual 'cathedral to nature!'

Things to know before booking your Natural History Museum tickets

  • Ticket options: General admission is free, but you can book guided tours for expert insights, grab exhibition tickets for exclusive displays, or bundle your visit with combo deals for even more museum magic.
  • Guided tours: Beat the crowds and explore with a passionate guide who'll reveal the most fascinating specimens, from dinosaurs to dazzling gems—plus, you'll get insider stories you won't find on the info plaques!
  • Exhibition tickets: Why stop at dinosaur bones when you can time travel to 2125 in Visions of Nature or get lost in Wildlife Photographer of the Year? These immersive exhibitions are must-sees for nature lovers!
  • Combo tours that combine science and skyline: Pair your Natural History Museum visit with a breathtaking ride on the London Eye—see dino skeletons, then see London from above. Includes free museum entry and a 30-minute London Eye experience!
  • Combo for history enthusiasts: From T. rex to Tudor drama! Learn about millions of years of history at the Natural History Museum, then head to the Tower of London for a royal experience—think Crown Jewels, castles, and even a torture exhibit.
  • Peak hours: Expect the biggest crowds from 11am to 3pm, with weekends and school holidays being the busiest. Visiting on a weekday—especially Wednesday or Thursday—means fewer people and shorter wait times.

Which Natural History Museum ticket is best for you?

If you are on a budget

Go for: Free entry tickets

Duration: Flexible

Guide: No

  • Free entry gets you up close to dinosaurs, dazzling gems, and even a real lunar rock! Wander through millions of years of history—no wallet required, just a sense of adventure.
  • Want more? Upgrade for a mixed-reality journey into Earth's future at the Visions of Nature or see nature's finest shots at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Recommended Ticket: 

  • Natural History Museum Entry Tickets

If you desire exclusive experiences

Go for: Exhibition tickets

Duration: Flexible

Guide: No

  • The Visions of Nature exhibition lets you explore future ecosystems with a HoloLens 2, interact with holographic animals, and see how nature could thrive in 2125—guided by AI buddy Hope!
  • Then there's another one! The Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases award-winning images with immersive soundscapes, bringing the wild to life in ways you've never seen before!

Recommended experiences:

  • Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience
  • Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition Tickets

If you want to explore deeper

Go for: Guided tour

Duration: Flexible

Guide: Yes

  • No one likes waiting in line—so don't! This ticket lets you breeze past the queues and spend more time gawking at blue whales, meteorites, and mind-blowing exhibits.
  • This tour has a guide who makes history fun—think wild facts, epic stories, and plenty of chances to ask all your burning questions in a small group setting.

Recommended experiences:

  • Guided Tour of the Natural History Museum

If you want to see all the best spots in London

Go for: Combo tickets

Duration: Flexible

Guide: No

  • The Natural History Museum and Tower of London combo ticket lets you see London's royal treasures and nature's greatest wonders in one go—because why choose between kings and creatures?
  • Here's another epic combo for you—Natural History Museum + London Eye! Explore nature's biggest wonders, then see London from a whole new perspective on the Eye. Who says you can't have it all?

Recommended experiences:

  • Combo: Natural History Museum + London Eye Tickets
  • Combo: Natural History Museum + Tower of London Tickets

What to see at the Natural History Museum?

With around 80 million objects on display at the museum, here are some collections and exhibitions you must absolutely check out!

Dinosaur gallery

From baby dino to king of the Cretaceous! The Dinosaur Gallery is home to the world's only T. rex growth series, showing a baby, juvenile, and sub-adult T. rex side by side—because even the fiercest predator had to start small! Add 'Sophie' the Stegosaurus, the bird-like Archaeopteryx, and a sea of fossils, and you've got a prehistoric adventure worth roaring about!

Minerals Gallery

If rocks could talk, this place would be loud!  Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires—you name it, this place has it. Plus, there are raw minerals, glowing crystals, and meteorites that crash-landed on Earth. Everything sits in gorgeous 19th-century oak cabinets, so you get serious "Victorian scientist on a treasure hunt" vibes. Just don't try sneaking any of them home, okay?

Zoology collection

Ever wanted to meet 29 million animals in one day? The Zoology Collection makes it possible without any safari required! This collection has everything from towering mammal skeletons to rare insects and even birds pickled in jars. You'll also spot specimens collected by Darwin himself, proving that even the world's greatest scientists loved a good nature walk.

Botany collection

Do you think plants are boring? This collection begs to differ! With millions of specimens, including ferns, algae, and lichens, it's a deep dive into botanical history. Some were collected centuries ago on epic voyages, including Darwin's HMS Beagle. And let's not forget the fungi models that were sadly bombed in WWII, but a few lucky survivors remain in storage!

Paleontology collection

Imagine a world before humans, before dinosaurs—even before trees! This collection covers it all, with seven million fossils spanning Earth's prehistoric past. Some marine fossils were discovered by Mary Anning, the 19th-century fossil hunter who found the first complete ichthyosaur and helped scientists understand life in the Jurassic seas. 

Entomology collection

Got a soft spot for creepy crawlies? Then this is the place for you! With 34 million specimens, this collection is an insect encyclopedia-like no other. It even has the world's oldest pinned insect (a bath white butterfly from 1702) and butterflies gathered by Alfred Russel Wallace, the legendary naturalist who co-developed the theory of evolution with Darwin.

Visions of Nature

Forget crystal balls; this is the future of nature in 3D! Visions of Nature uses mixed reality to transport you into a world where species have evolved in unexpected ways. With a holographic guide and futuristic tech, you'll see resilient creatures like coconut crabs and cuttlefish surviving a transformed planet. It's a glimpse of tomorrow—today!

Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Warning: This exhibition will make your phone camera jealous. Wildlife Photographer of the Year features 100 mind-blowing images of animals, landscapes, and moments you won't believe are real. From split-second action shots to powerful photojournalism, this is nature photography at its finest; no filters are needed.

Plan your visit to the Natural History Museum

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  • Opening hours: 10am to 5:50pm, every day
  • Last entry: 5:30pm
  • Closed on: 24-26 December
  • Best time to visit: Plan your visit for a Monday to Thursday, either at 10 AM when the doors open or later in the afternoon. January to March and October to November are ideal months with fewer visitors. Spring and early fall are also nice, but summer draws the biggest crowds, even with fewer art exhibitions.

Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

Find on Maps

  • By bus: Hop on line N97, N9 or 14 from Central London. These buses run from Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, and Cambridge Circus.

Closest stop: South Kensington Road or Exhibition Road, just 5-10 minutes away from the museum.

  • By car: From Central London, the museum is just a little over 4kms away. You can take the A4 or A302 route, and if you do not encounter heavy traffic, you should ideally reach in 10-15 minutes.

The museum has three entrances.

  • Central entrance: This entrance can be reached through the East Gate at Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road. It's step-free and has a ramp for easy access.
  • East entrance: You can find this entrance on the Exhibition Road. It's not step-free, but there's a lift in the entrance lobby to reach the galleries.
  • West entrance: The West Entrance, accessed via the Upper West Gate on Queen's Gate, is open to all. It's not step-free, but there's a lift in the entrance lobby to reach the galleries.
  • Cloakrooms: There are two cloakrooms where you can store large bags, suitcases, scooters, pushchairs, folding bikes, and smaller items. Storage fees vary by item.
  • Family facilities: You'll find baby changing and feeding facilities on the ground and lower ground floors.
  • Food and drinks: Grab a bite at one of five cafés open to all, or enjoy exclusive dining in The Anning Rooms for members and patrons. Planning to bring your own food? There's a picnic area on the lower ground floor.
  • Gift shops: The museum has four gift shops, each packed with unique treasures and souvenirs.
  • Washrooms: Toilets, including accessible and all-gender options, are located on the ground and lower ground floors.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: This experience is fully accessible for wheelchairs and prams/strollers, ensuring a smooth and comfortable visit for all guests.
  • Easy navigation: The venue offers ramps and elevators throughout, making it easy for visitors to move around without barriers or accessibility concerns.
  • For visitors with special needs: Braille books and hearing loops are available to enhance the experience for visually and hearing-impaired visitors, ensuring an inclusive visit.
  • Disabled parking: A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available at the venue, providing convenient access for visitors with mobility needs.
  • Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are warmly welcomed at the venue, ensuring visually impaired visitors can explore comfortably with their assistance animals.
  • What's not allowed: Alcohol, sharp objects, drones, knives, pepper spray, imitation firearms, offensive weapons, protest materials, and fireworks are strictly prohibited at this experience for safety reasons.
  • No pet policy: Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at this experience due to venue restrictions, but service animals are welcome to accompany their owners.
  • Flashes off: Flash photography is strictly forbidden at the venue to protect exhibits and ensure an enjoyable experience for all visitors.
  • Skip the main entrance chaos – The Cromwell Road entrance gets packed. Use the Exhibition Road entrance instead; it's usually quicker, and there's a lift if you need step-free access.
  • The best time to see the giant dino? – Head to Hintze Hall right when the museum opens or late in the afternoon to get that perfect, crowd-free shot of the famous Diplodocus skeleton.
  • Ditch the gift shop crowds – The main shop is always packed. Instead, try the smaller shops near the side exits or check out the online store for less stress.
  • Stop by the secret butterfly garden – Most visitors miss the wildlife garden outside the museum. It's a peaceful, green oasis, perfect for a quiet break from the crowds.
  • Want no queues for food? Good luck! – Avoid the café rush by bringing a snack or eating early. The picnic area on the lower ground floor is a lifesaver if you don't want to wait.

The museum is home to six fabulous cafés! Here's a sneak peek at a few of them:

  • T-rex Restaurant: A laid-back spot in the Green Zone serving burgers, salads, stone-baked pizzas, and kid-friendly meals! Open 11am-4pm.
  • Central Cafe: Tucked behind Hintze Hall near the Central Entrance, this spot has all the good stuff—sandwiches, salads, pastries, and more! Open 10am-5:30pm.
  • Earth Hall Cafe: Right by the East Entrance, this spot serves hot meals, sandwiches, wraps, and seasonal salads—plus cakes, pastries, and muffins! Kids' lunch and activity packs? Yep, they've got those too. Open 11:30am-4pm.
  • Shake Bar: Right by the Dinosaurs Gallery near the West Entrance, this sweet little spot serves up milkshakes, sundaes, toasted sandwiches, handmade cakes, and all the drinks you need—hot or cold! Open 11am-4pm.
  • The Garden Kitchen: Hungry? This spot's got you covered with small plates, fish and chips, and a cozy winter-spiced butternut squash salad. Oh, and don't miss the Nutella doughnuts and Belgian waffles! Open 9:30am-4:30pm.
  • Kensington Palace (0.4km): Royals have called Kensington Palace home for centuries, from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana. Explore its opulent halls, historic gardens, and even a few iconic royal fashion moments!
  • Buckingham Palace (2.8km): With 775 rooms, a golden balcony, and the legendary Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace is the beating heart of British royalty—open for visits every summer!
  • Churchill War Rooms (3.8km): Hidden beneath Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms are where Winston Churchill and his team masterminded WWII. Check out the secret tunnels, war maps, and Churchill's desk—history doesn't get more real than this!

Frequently Asked Questions about Natural History Museum tickets

Is entry to the Natural History Museum really free?

Yes! You can wander among dinosaurs, dazzling gems, and ancient wonders without spending a penny. Just note that some special exhibitions may require a ticket.

Do I need to book a ticket even though entry is free?

It's not required, but it's a smart move! Booking ahead secures your spot and helps you avoid long queues. Walk-ins are welcome if there's space.

Is there a time limit for my visit?

No! Stay as long as you like—there's plenty to see across 20+ galleries, so you might lose track of time.

Can I borrow a wheelchair at the museum?

Yes! Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the cloakrooms near the Exhibition Road entrance and behind Central Hall—ask a staff member for assistance.

Can I take photos inside the museum?

Yes! Feel free to snap away with handheld cameras for personal use—just be mindful of flash restrictions and other visitors.

Can I touch the exhibits?

Most exhibits are hands-off, but some, like those in the Lasting Impressions gallery, are made to be touched. If there's no sign saying so, it's best to look, not touch!