- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest London hotel reviews
Helpfulness
(work in progress)
When I was recently editing my London page, I couldn't believe that I had yet to write a review of the one place in London that is guaranteed to make me happy: the Natural History Museum.
Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of the Natural History Museum, as my Mum would take the three of us there on an outing using a Red Bus Rover pass (an earlier version of a Travelcard, whose name now has a distinctly nostalgic Enid Blyton ring to it). South Kensington was quite a trek from where we lived, and as the Red Bus Rover didn't include the tube service, it seemed to take an age to get there (I have a distinct recollection that the phrase, "Are we there yet?" featured as a sort of Greek chorus to our journey and must have driven Mum up the wall).
But it was worth every minute of the journey. My most powerful memory is of the skeleton of the blue whale suspended from the ceiling in the main hall, and, like all children, I was entranced by the dinosaur exhibit - and now that I have children of my own, I still am!
This is a staple of every visit we make to London, and it would be a very unusual child that wouldn't have a whale of a time (if you'll excuse the pun). The dinosaur animatronics displays are probably the main crowd pleaser, but they are only one of many, many attractions that will keep Little People entertained regardless of the weather outside.
But that's not to say that the Natural History Museum is just for kids - indeed, far from it, as this is a museum that will bring out the latent David Attenborough in almost any adult.
My favourite display is the exhibit of marine fossils. It features the original ichthyosaur excavated by the extraordinary fossil hunter (and one of my personal heroines) Mary Anning in Lyme Regis. There are also two skeletons of pregnant ichthyosaurs: in one case, three little foetus skeletons are visible between the mother's ribs and in the second, the baby is forever frozen in the birthing process, with its little tail protruding from its mother's body.
The main hall is presided over by an excellent statue of the tyrannical Richard Owen, the doyenne of Victorian scientific circles - and the first person to coin the term 'dinosaur'. Owen was a towering figure of the era, who suffered from no lack of self esteem and was the scientific equivalent of the bombastic self-made millionaires of the Industrial Revolution. He was an excellent scientist, but by all accounts, a deeply unpleasant and vengeful man, who never shirked from using his own influence to blight the careers of others whom he felt a threat to his own work or celebrity status.
Quite apart from the extraordinary collection on display, it's worth a visit to the Natural History Museum, just to appreciate its stunning Neo Gothic architecture. The museum was built in the Victorian era when science was topical and sexy (rather than embarrassingly geeky), and the fact that no expense was spared on the design and construction reflects the importance and heavyweight funding that was made available. Look in particular for the glorious animal carvings that punctuate the decor.
There is also a fantastic gift shop (as well as a separate gift shop that focuses on dinosaurs), from which I have yet to emerge without at least one bagful of goodies! It has a wonderful selection of nature-themed books and toys and is a great place to look for stocking fillers in the runup to Christmas.
In winter, the Natural History Museum also hosts one of London's outdoor skating rinks, which looks like heaps of fun.
And, best of all, like many major London museums, it's free! Although donations are welcomed, and I think you'd need to be pretty churlish (or very skint) to not slip a little something into the collection box in recognition of the world class museum you've just experienced.
Lastly, a few practical issues. The nearest tube station is South Kensington, but be warned that it's quite a long walk - mostly through underground passages, which youll be thankful for if the weather isn't good. The museum itself involves quite some walking, so if you're visiting with smaller children, it's worth bringing a pushchair (stroller) into which you can bundle them when they are too exhausted to walk anymore, even if they're of an age where you usually wouldn't use one. There are also a few sets of steps on the way - not enormous flights - but enough to make like irksome if you're pushing a pram, pushchair or wheelchair, so just be aware that you may need some help to negotiate these: if needs be, ask a passerby for help.
Finally, the museum attracts huge numbers of visitors, particularly over weekends and public holidays, as well as many school groups. The museum is big enough that the crowds are seldom oppressive, but if you'd like the place (comparatively) to yourself, try to visit on a weekday in the afternoon.
Updated Dec 25, 2011
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
I have about as much interest in natural history as I do in...well, let's just say it's not my favorite subject. I'm not an animal person (except for dogs) and science isn't my thing. That said, I think I entered the building at about 11 a.m. and stayed until about 3. I was really bowled over by it. Everything is displayed just as I'd imagined--lots of wonderful wood cases with a soft patina I guess caused by years and years and years of visitors running their hands over them. Wonderful old displays that looked as if they hadn't been changed in years and the most wonderful building. The whole thing reminded me of some crazy Victorian scientist's lab or something. I especially loved all the displays of rocks and minerals. This place really, really shouldn't be missed. I literally couldn't stop taking pictures because one display was more intriguing than the next.
Updated Aug 22, 2011
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
Part of Prince Albert's /Victorian Government's cultural phenomenon of the mid 19th century and one of the most extraordinary museums of its kind - and its free entry!
Its genesis is 18th century Sir Hans Sloane's collection who bequeathed his extensive collection to the country on his death. Originally held in Montagu House, the first home of the British Museum, the collection grew and basically outgrew its space. Thus a separate Natural History Museum was built in the 1870s, with the Museum first opening its doors in 1881.
Opening times: Monday-Saturday, 10am-5.50pm: 11am-5.50pm (Sunday)
Closed 24-26 December
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: 0 20 7942 5011
Helpfulness
Ask at the information desk just as you enter up the steps of the Natural History Museum in South Kensington for a place on the Zoology Spirit Tour within the Darwin Centre of the Museum. I was given a free ticket for the cloakroom and the tour which was to start at 4pm. I understand they run similar tours at different times of the day. You're not allowed to take photographs on the tour so you'll have to leave your camera behind.
There were seven of us in our tour and we were led by one of the scientists who works in the Museum. Her enthusiasm for the role and the importance of the scientific activity undertaken in the Museum was palpable. She clearly loved her work and was very proud to show people around.
You gain a small insight into behind-the-scenes functions by being shown the secure and highly environmentally controlled storage room in which the pickled specimens are stored in a range of jars of alcohol. Only a few cases are on display but you gain a sense of the scale of the collection when you walk through the room full of tall cupboards each labelled with scientific names and sketches of the animal type. These are just some of the marine invertebrates stored behind the scenes. The museum holds dried specimens as well.
We were taken to a lower floor where we could see the 6m long giant squid brought back from the South Atlantic. In the same room were shelves lined with jars of large preserved specimens and metal tanks again filled with specimens although we couldn't see inside those.
If you're keen to know more about the Museum then do take the time and opportunity to go on this free tour. You will not regret the hour it takes.
Written Oct 1, 2010
Helpfulness
That’s one of the museums the children adored. They didn’t notice the imposing building (I did) but the exhibition was extremely attractive.
And the trend were dinosaurs, well documented there. After the disapointment of dinosaur's parade in Disneyworld, the comfort of the authenticity.
Updated Sep 1, 2010
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: 0 20 7942 5011
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
Every time I go to London, I go visit the Natural History Museum. It is my absolute favourite and no matter how often I visit it then I cannot wait to go back. This museum is such a magical place and there are so many interesting exhibition rooms to chose between (or just go see them all) that you need hours to spend in there. I have even got lost in there ;)
Right as you enter there is a big skeleton of a dinosaur and a lot of extinct animals. There are other rooms with more dinosaurs on the ground floor.
Then there is Earth science show which takes you through the "earth" in an escalator. I have added a travelogue here with more photos of the Earth exhibition. It is awesome as well. At the show you will get to experience an earth-quake and get to know all about volcanos (which was not on my list to do at the museum, seeing that Eyjafjallajökull was going strong at the time I visited (May 2010) and was causing havoc with my flight-schedule).
Then there is the bird-exhibition room, the insect-exhibition room, Large Mammals hall with f.ex. sceletons of whales - and a Darwin Centre and more and more.
The Natural History Museum has on display myriad of gems and precious metals. The mineral collections at the museum are so big that I think they merit a special tip - so I decided on adding one ;)
I stumbled upon this awesome Victorian style museum by accident and was amazed at how beautiful this building was so I stepped inside - and have been there many times since.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-17:50 every day. Last admission at 17:30.
Free entrance.
The last time I visited they checked everybodys' bag for knives, nothing that can pierce something was allowed.
Updated Jun 16, 2010
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 London, England
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
I am a crystal and mineral nut and own a lot of semi-precious stones. There are two exhibition rooms at the Natural History museum dedicated to semi-precious and precious stones and minerals.
The main collection is on the first floor (up the flight of stairs) with an exhibition room filled with all kinds of minerals and stones. In that room amongst myriads of other exhibits, is the largest piece of gold found (see my photo). At the end of the exhibition room is the Vault - on display is f.ex. a privately owned collection of diamonds (see my photo).
There is another exhibition room, a gallery, with semi-precious and very precious gemstones, rocks and minerals, which is a part of the Earth Gallery show, called Earth's Treasures. Amongst extraordinary gems there is the world's largest modern-cut flawless diamond (see my photo).
I am such a fan of these stones that I could spend a whole day just in these two exhibition rooms.
There are a lot of various stones for sale in the museum store, but they are overly priced, you can get most of them for 49 pence in Camden Town, I buy them there.
I add a travelogue here with more photos of these beautiful stones.
Updated Jun 16, 2010
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 London, England
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
Famous for its astonishing displays of dinosaurs, the Natural History Museum exhibits all things related to life and earth sciences. It opened its doors in 1881 in one of London's most beautiful buildings, constructed specifically for the purpose. The edifice was designed by the architect Alfred Waterhouse in a neo-Romanesque style, covered in terracotta tiles. Note that entry into the museum is free of charge.
Updated May 3, 2010
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7
Phone: +44 20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
The natural history museum was built in the same place where the world exhibition held in 1881, is divided into two sections types of Life and Earth Galleries Galleries. The impressive building is the work of Alfred Waterhouse, pink and gold, mixed with terracotta and brick, is as remarkable as what it contains, especially the fantastic painted ceiling and the details about wildlife central hall, where the famous skeletons of dinosaurs.
Exhibitions highlighting Darwin and Investigate center where children and adults can experience and learn the mystery of science and genetics, while they play and divierten.En the Earth Galleries, an escalator crossing a huge globe and leads to visitors on a journey to the center of the earth. Do not forget to visit the exhibition The Power Within, where you can feel the force of an earthquake and the eruption of a volcano.
El museo de historia natural se construyó en el mismo lugar donde se realizó la exposición mundial de 1881, se divide en dos tipos secciones las Life Galleries y las Earth Galleries. El impresionante edifico es obra de Alfred Waterhouse, de color rosa y oro, con mezcla terracota y ladrillo, es tan extraordinario como lo que contiene, sobre todo el fantástico techo pintado y los detalles sobre fauna del vestíbulo central, donde se encuentran los famosos esqueletos de dinosaurios.
Destacan las exposiciones del centro Darwin e Investigate, donde los niños y adultos pueden experimentar y aprender los misterio de la ciencia y la genética, mientras juegan y se divierten.En las Earth Galleries, una escalera eléctrica cruza un enorme globo terráqueo y conduce a los visitantes a un viaje al centro de la tierra. No se olvide de visitar la exposición The Power Within, en la que es posible sentir la fuerza de un terremoto y la erupción de un volcán.
Written Apr 26, 2010
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Helpfulness
WOW! Simply the entry into the museum is enough to grab my attention,, it was jam packed with school trips on arrival, and 2 hours is needed to atleast percieve the exhibits,,
It is easily understood as it is split into geographic sections (e.g. egypt, asia, europe etc..),
There was a breath taking exhibit from italy when I visited,
Simply not to be missed in south kensington, and FREE!
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.
Written Dec 1, 2009
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7
Phone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Sponsored Links
The Montague On The Gardens London
5 Reviews and 1062 Opinions The concierge was fabulous, the hotel very grand, and despite the rooms being small they were...
41 Hotel London
2 Reviews and 690 Opinions Hotel Ibis London Euston St Pancras Recommended by being the best location, nice rooms, modern and...
Milestone Hotel Kensington London
1 Review and 461 Opinions This 5 star hotel is probably my favorite in London because of it's location (across from Kensington...
Cromwell Road, SW7
Natural HIstory Museum tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals.
Write a ReviewWOW! Simply the entry into the museum is enough to grab my attention,, it was jam packed with school trips on arrival, and 2 hours is needed to atleast percieve...
14,590 members live in London
Q: Hihi, Have anyone been to Bicester Village?( chic outlet shopping) worth to go? Any idea how to go from Alhambra hotel? Tx...
A: It depends on your tastes. There are a lot of shops there and it can get quite busy. The shops are all designer-type shops with a few cafes in-between. If there is a...
Read 3 Replies
1
I am a Sydney girl who has been living in London since October 2002, and I hope to stay for a few more years yet....well at least until I try all the restaurants in London ; ) London is a great base...
2
Maybe it's Because I'm A Londoner....
CONGRATULATIONS LONDON!!! - OLYMPICS 2012 I was born in Hackney, in the east end of London but moved to Malta with my family a year or so later. I came back to London on various occasions as a child...
3
Gor Blimey guv'ner...you'r having a larf......
It has been a source of some pride that i was the No1 writer on VT for London for quite a while, before the estimable sue stone took over. The job offers have however failed to flood in...so back to...
4
London, the capital of England
Whilst most people know that London is the capital of England, many foreigners to England get confused of the difference between England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom. Whilst England is in all...
5
Modern London is not one city that has steadily become larger through the centuries; it is a number of cities, towns, and villages that have, during the past centuries, grown together to make one vast...
Build your own London page
see all London member meetings
Sponsored Links
