A top destination for the curious-minded, London’s Natural History Museum takes visitors on a trek through 4.5 billion years of Earth’s past. Also known as “the cathedral to nature,” it is one of the best free educational activities in the city.

Natural History Museum tours guide you in exploring the over 70 million specimens on display, and create remarkable memories, as you discover about life on the planet.

Here is everything you should know ahead of your visit to the National History Museum, one of the most emblematic museums in London.

How much do Natural History Museum tickets cost?

Tickets to London’s Natural History Museum are free. However, you can choose to donate starting at £5 upon making your reservation.

Should you book tickets in advance?

It is necessary to book your free ticket ahead of time since your ticket admits you at your choice of the scheduled tour.

What are the best Natural History Museum tours?

Wandering among thousands of Earth’s creations can be overwhelming. A guided tour can help you navigate the many exhibits to make sure you hit all the must-see wonders.

Guided tours of London’s Natural History Museum last between 2 and 3 hours, the perfect amount of time to see the museum’s highlights.

Small-group tours

Joining a small-group tour of the Natural History Museum with a knowledgeable guide is an affordable way to streamline your visit. Groups of eight to 10 people maximum make personalized attention from the guide easy.

Family-friendly tours

Family-friendly tours help engage youngsters in what they’re seeing with hands-on opportunities, amazing facts and plenty of answers to their inevitable questions. Guides will also show you scientific research in action.

The museum is also a research center, and some tours allow you to interact with specimens in the Museum Investigation Room.

Private tours

Enjoy an experience just for you and your group. A private tour of the Natural History Museum allows you to explore at your own pace and allows for the best attention from your guide.

What will you see inside?

A cursed ruby, the remains of a 125-million-year-old T. rex and a blue whale skeleton that’s longer than a soccer field are just a few of what you’ll find within the walls of London’s Natural History Museum.

Venture through the five collections to see the museum’s millions of specimens. Learn about botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology here.

Dinosaur fans, be prepared to see some of the most important artifacts ever found. Snap a photo with Sophie the Stegosaurus, and spy an archeopteryx, the evolutionary link between birds and dinosaurs.

Witness the skeleton of the extinct dodo, as well as a wealth of other stuffed birds from around the world. Try to count the rings on a slice of a giant sequoia, experience the casts of victims from Pompeii and find out about cultures who once drank from human skulls!

How to get to the Natural History Museum?

The Natural History Museum is located in Kensington, about a 10-minute walk from Hyde Park. Its address is Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD.

Many tour companies recommend taking a taxi or Uber. The closest tube station is the South Kensington station, reachable by the Piccadilly or District lines. It is a 3-minute walk to the museum from the station.

What are the opening times?

London’s Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10 AM to 5:50 PM with the last admission at 5:30 PM. The museum is closed from Dec. 24 to 26.

When is the best time to visit the Natural History Museum?

Visit the Natural History Museum in the morning or on weekdays, as large crowds can make it more difficult to get a good view of the exhibits. The months of November through March are a low season for tourism in London, great for avoiding crowds.

Which other museums can be visited in London?

Travel tips

Wear comfortable shoes, since you will be on your feet for several hours.
Bring a smartphone to access your mobile ticket.
Food or drinks are not allowed in the Natural History Museum, but there are several cafes and restaurants in the complex.

Natural History Museum: Tickets and Tours