(Claw of Baryonyx walkeri) Baryonyx means 'heavy claw'. Unusually for a carnivorous dinosaur we know it ate fish as scientists have found fish scales and teeth with its fossil where its stomach would have been.

Skip to page content

Primary navigation

Festive season

Enjoy our special winter treats

Make a visit to the Museum brighten up your festive season. You'll be spoilt for choice with our enticing range of seasonal activities indoors and outdoors.

Christmas opening times

The Museum is closed from 24 - 26 December. 

We are open as usual for the rest of the festive season with lots of seasonal activities and events to suit all ages and tastes.

The Ice Rink is open until 22.00 on Christmas Eve and reopens at 11am on Boxing Day until 9 January 2011.

From a skate on the ice or a whirl on the carousel to a fascinating talk about reindeers and the prehistoric Christmas tree, we have lots on offer this year. And you’ll find some perfect presents in our Museum shops.

  • Giant squid tentacle
    What's on events calendar

    You can see full details of our programme of Nature Live events in What's on.

  • Coming soon

    Get a taste of what's planned for 2011. And don't miss the current exhibition and event highlights.

  • Galapagos tortoise
    Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

    Marvel at the winning and commended images at this stunning exhibition, open until March 2011.

  • Ice Rink

    Embrace winter at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, London's most spectacular winter attraction. 

  • After Hours


    Experience London's most unique Friday night out with a visit to the Museum after hours and enjoy the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

  • Images of Nature

    Marvel at some of the most beautiful, historic artworks and modern images of nature held by the Museum in our newly renovated gallery.

  • Sexual Nature

    Sexual Nature is the Museum's first exhibition dedicated entirely to the sex lives of animals and plants. 

  • Films at the Museum

    Films at the Museum

  • Nights at the Museum graphic
    Nights at the Museum

    From courses and shows to debates, quizzes and sleepovers, there's plenty for everyone to enjoy at our exciting evening events and sleepovers.

  • Wild Planet - coming to a venue near you
    Wild Planet

    This fantastic, free outdoor exhibition of images from the world-famous Wildlife Photographer of the Year competitions is touring cities in the UK. See the exhibition at The Moor shopping centre in Sheffield from 6 October 2010.

  • Central hall facing Diplodocus skeleton.
    Galleries

    Choose from over 30 permanent galleries to explore, including our famous Dinosaurs.

  • Children examining a dinosaur skeleton.
    Daily activities and events

    No matter what your age or when you visit, come and enjoy one of our daily activities.

  • New weevils collection
    Special displays

    Our special display cases show topical, newsworthy content. Currently we feature some unusual findings about ostracods and a new species of African fish.

  • Ida fossil. Atlantic Productions Ltd.
    Ida fossil cast on display

    A life-size cast of Ida, the 47-million-year-old fossil of an ancient lemur-like creature, is now on display in the Central Hall's Tree gallery.

  • The tree-top branches of Tania Kovats ceiling installation
    TREE

    Don't miss the latest permanent artwork in the Museum. Artist Tania Kovats' TREE is a ceiling masterpiece and pays homage to Charles Darwin. The gallery also houses the Ida fossil cast.

  • Wildlife Garden in the autumn
    Wildlife Garden

    The Wildlife Garden is open from 1 April to 31 October, 10.00 until 17.00 daily. Enter via the Museum's west lawn.To visit at other times by appointment, contact the Central Hall information desk on +44 (0)20 7942 5011 to arrange this.

Print version
Visit the Ice Rink
More information

Browse Christmas gifts online

Meerkat soft toy from our online shop

Visit our online shop for lots of Christmas gift ideas.

For kids, find science kits, dino gifts and toys, like this gorgeous cuddly meerkat. For adults, there are green gifts, jewellery, books and dramatic wildlife prints.

You can also follow our online shop editor's blog for hand-picked gift ideas.

Visit our online shop

Read our top 10 gifts blog

Festive species of the day
More information

Wildlife prints on demand

Prints on demand online shop

Customise and buy dramatic wildlife prints from £15.

Select your favourite image, choose from a range of options to customise your own print and we'll deliver it direct to your door.

Customise and buy in our prints on demand online shop

Follow our online shop editor's blog