Natural History Museum
One of three major museums on Kensington’s Cromwell Road, the Natural History Museum houses approximately 70 million specimens spanning five core collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology.
At a glance
The museum’s vast holdings include celebrated specimens such as embalmed Dodo birds, a blue whale skeleton, fossilized dinosaur remains, and a cross-section of a giant Sequoia. Originally part of the British Museum, it now operates as an independent institution. Entry is free, though certain exhibition rooms may require a separate ticket.
History
The Natural History Museum originated as a departmental collection within the British Museum before establishing itself as a distinct institution. It remains administratively separate today, though historically linked to its parent organization. The museum developed its five specialized collections to comprehensively document the natural world.
What you see
The museum’s layout organizes specimens by discipline across themed zones. The Birds room displays embalmed Dodo specimens. The Blue mammals area features stuffed panda specimens and a blue whale skeleton. The Central Hall showcases fossil skeletons of a Glyptodon and Diplodocus. The Red zone contains a Stegosaurus fossil. The Human Biology room presents a human brain in spirit. A dedicated Giant Sequoia room exhibits a section of the ancient tree. The dinosaur hall includes a motion model of a Tyrannosaurus.
Cultural significance
The museum stands as a major research and educational institution, preserving specimens critical to understanding evolutionary history, biodiversity and paleontology. Its collections support scientific study and public understanding of natural sciences.
Key facts
- Address: Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
- Coordinates: 51.49652419516191, -0.17608702182769775
- Official website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
- Phone: +44 20 7942 5000
- Collections: approximately 70 million specimens across five disciplines
Practical information
General admission is free. Some exhibition rooms may require a separate ticket for access. Opening hours and current exhibition details are available on the official website.
Getting there
The museum is located on Cromwell Road in Kensington, London. It sits alongside the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, forming a cultural cluster accessible by public transport and local buses serving the area.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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