Natural History Museum

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The museum building is decorated with hundreds of terracotta plaques representing extinct species on the left side and living species on the right.

2. 2

   The central hall features a blue whale skeleton named Hope, suspended from the ceiling in a diving pose.

3. 3

   The museum holds a permanent exhibit of a robotic Tyrannosaurus rex that uses hydraulic systems for movement.

4. 4

   The Mineralogy department contains over 500,000 mineral specimens, including a 9,381-carat emerald crystal.

5. 5

   The museum maintains a dedicated research station for the study of erupting volcanoes and earthquake patterns.

6. 6

   Many of the original displays still use Victorian-era glass cases that were installed when the building opened in 1881.

7. 7

   The museum's library collection includes rare manuscripts and original illustrations from the HMS Beagle expedition.

8. 8

   Scientists at the museum currently identify roughly 2,000 new species annually.

9. 9

   The museum contains a large collection of meteorites, including a segment of the Winchcombe meteorite that fell in the UK in 2021.

10. 10

    The 'Vault' gallery showcases rare pieces like the Rosser Reeves Star Ruby.

Overview

The Natural History Museum in South Kensington houses a vast collection of over 80 million natural history specimens spanning billions of years. It is internationally renowned for its extensive dinosaur skeletal collection and the soaring architecture of Hintze Hall. The museum functions as both a public exhibition space and a major centre for scientific research. Visitors can explore geological formations, taxidermy, and botanical samples through both static displays and interactive stations. The collection includes significant historical items such as specimens collected by Charles Darwin and the rare 'Hope' mineral collection. The museum's structure itself, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, features terracotta tiles decorated with reliefs of flora and fauna. It serves as a hub for understanding global biodiversity, evolution, and climate change. Dedicated galleries cover human biology, earthquake simulation, and marine life.

Insider tips

• Use the side entrance on Exhibition Road to bypass long queues at the main Cromwell Road doors.

• Download the digital map in advance as the building layout is complex and GPS signal is weak inside.

• Check the museum's website for 'Lates' events if visiting on a Friday for evening activities.