London · Kensington and Hyde Park
Natural History Museum
Dinosaur skeletons, the blue whale in Hintze Hall and the Earth galleries in a Victorian building. A good choice with children and on a rainy day.
- 3 h
- Free
- Booking advised
- Kensington and Hyde Park
Data checked on October 4, 2026
The museum fills a Victorian terracotta building that opened at South Kensington in 1881. Hintze Hall, the main entrance, has a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The galleries cover dinosaurs, mammals, minerals and the Earth sciences. The dinosaur gallery is popular, so go there first.
What to look for
- The blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall
- The dinosaur gallery
- The mineral and gem displays
- The terracotta halls of the building itself
Opening hours
| Monday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am–5:50 pm | last entry 5:30 pm |
Open daily 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30. Closed Friday 9 October 2026 and 24 to 26 December.
Source: Natural History Museum, checked October 4, 2026
Tickets and booking
Free. Entry is free. Special exhibitions are ticketed.
Entry is free. A free entry ticket skips queues at weekends and school holidays.
Getting there
South Kensington station (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines) is a short walk along Exhibition Road or through the signed subway.
Tip
Go straight to the galleries that interest you before the weekend crowds arrive.