The museum is located within a Grade II listed building originally constructed as a private residence in the late 18th century.
The site houses a historic herbarium containing thousands of preserved plant specimens collected over the last 150 years.
The butterfly house mimics a tropical environment, allowing for the display of exotic species alongside native varieties.
It holds significant geological specimens, including rare fossils from the Eocene epoch found in the Portsmouth area.
The museum serves as a repository for historical zoological records dating back to the Victorian era.
Portsmouth Natural History Museum, housed within the historic Cumberland House, serves as the city's primary center for natural science and local ecology. The museum’s collections emphasize the regional wildlife of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, featuring a comprehensive herbarium and extensive insect specimens. Visitors can explore permanent displays focused on dinosaurs, including fossils discovered along the local coastline. The facility offers dedicated workshops centered on environmental conservation and natural history education. The site features a butterfly house, which is a rare enclosed habitat allowing for close-up observation of lepidoptera species. Exhibits are curated to showcase the chronological development of the region's flora and fauna.
The interior of the butterfly house provides unique macro photography opportunities.
Check the museum's official website for current workshop schedules before planning your arrival.
Visit the butterfly house early in your tour, as the environmental conditions inside are warmer than the rest of the museum galleries.
Do not attempt to touch or remove any of the delicate, open-display natural specimens.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
