The bones of the mastodon are pictured on a plain bright yellow background

Family favourites

This self-guided tour walks you through some of our biggest sights and is perfect for families – whether you're a first-timer or a returning visitor.

Start your trip in our new gardens before entering through the Central Entrance on Cromwell Road. Your tour should take about two hours.

1. Say hello to Fern

Who better to offer you a big welcoming hello than Fern, our 24-metre-long bronze Diplodocus. Star of our Evolution Garden, Fern is nestled among tree ferns and cycads. See if you can find our herd of bronze Hypsilophodon grazing among the plants or trace the story of evolution as you explore our timeline wall.

Getting there: Enter our Evolution Garden through our East Gate or Tunnel Gate.

2. Meet a mastodon

Once you’re inside our Hintze Hall, one specimen that’s sure to grab your attention is our magnificent mastodon skeleton. Mastodons are an extinct animal that belonged to the same order of mammals as elephants and mammoths.

Getting there: Go through our Evolution Garden and then head up the ramps and enter through our Central Entrance into Hintze Hall.

The bones of the mastodon stand in Hintze Hall

3. Go on a dinosaur hunt

Take a photo with our roaring animatronic T.rex and explore our world-famous Dinosaurs Gallery. Don’t forget to look up as you go – you never know what you might discover! Keep your eyes peeled for tiny Dromaeosaurus skeletons, listen out for the trumpet-like call of a Parasaurolophus and examine the first fossil dinosaur teeth ever found.

Getting there: As you enter Hintze Hall take the corridor on the left that leads to our Darwin Centre Atrium. As you go up the corridor, the entrance to our Dinosaurs Gallery is the third doorway on the left.

Our animatronic T-rex appears to be looking at the camera as it roars

4. Hang out with the mammals

Come and see what you can discover in our Mammals Hall. From rhinos and deer to manatees and dolphins, this is the ideal place to learn all about our warm-blooded friends.

Getting there: As you exit our Dinosaurs Gallery you’ll come out opposite our Dino Store. Turn left and go past our Dino Store then turn right into our Mammals Gallery. Follow it to the end then turn right and you’ll see the entrance to our Mammals Hall.

An elephant and other mammals are pictured in front of the giant blue whale model

5. Dive into our Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery

Gawk at the curious specimens on display in our Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery. See how the appearance of an anglerfish changes before and after eating a meal, do your best impression of a snake hissing and find out what type of tortoise is the largest in the world.

Getting there: Exit at the far end of our Mammals Hall and go up the corridor to the entrance to our Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery.

The white skeleton of a long marine creature is seen on a blue background

6. Take a photo with Andy’s Clock

Waistcoat, gizmo, hat! Take me to the time of the dinosaurs! Are you a fan of Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures? Be sure to take a photo with his famous clock, which he’s kindly let us have on display in Hintze Hall for everyone to enjoy.

Getting there: Exit our Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Gallery and head through our Central Cafe. Under the right-hand archway between the cafe and Hinzte Hall, you’ll find Andy’s Clock.

Picture of the clock from the CBeebies shows Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and Andy's Prehistoric Adventures

7. Eat at our T. rex Restaurant

After all that exploring, you’ve probably worked up a roarsome appetite! If that’s the case, make sure to stop by our wonderful T. rex Restaurant and treat yourself to a delicious hot meal.

Note: Our T. rex Restaurant is open from 11:00 to 16:00.

Getting there: Cross Hintze Hall and take the corridor towards the Fossil Marine Reptiles Gallery, the restaurant is up the corridor on the left.

Four dishes are served on a round table in the resturant

8. Quake in your boots

Learn all about how lava forms and see a real heat suit worn by scientists when they’re working near volcanoes. Experience what an earthquake feels like in our earthquake simulator. No tickets are required for the simulator, just walk right on in.

Note: The earthquake simulator might be triggering for some visitors so make sure you feel comfortable before you enter.

Getting there: Just before the giant sloth at the end of our Fossil Marine Reptiles Gallery, turn left into our Birds Gallery. Then turn right at the end and go through our Lasting Impressions Gallery. There’s a lift on the left-hand side and stairs on the right-hand side that can take you up to the Second Floor of our East Wing where our Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery is.

Long exposition shot of a boy and a woman in the earthqake simulator waving their arms to gain balance

9. Explore our Earth Hall

Finish your visit on a high by visiting our Earth Hall. Along the walls you’ll find a selection of remarkable rocks and fossils, including a piece of the Moon! You can also see one of the most complete Stegosaurus skeletons ever found, or head up to the mezzanine and come face to face with Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, a new species of dinosaur.

Getting there: Head back down to the Ground Floor of our East Wing and enter our Earth Hall.

Sophie the Stegosaurus in front of a model of the Earth's core

Fast track your visit with a family membership

Membership comes with many benefits to help you make the most of your visit to the Museum. As well as access to the Anning Rooms - a private lounge and restaurant - you can also skip the queue and use the cloakroom for free.

Become a Member

Try a different tour or see what else is on

Hidden treasures

Even if you’ve visited before and have seen the highlights, there’s still plenty to discover. This tour guides you through some of our lesser-known treasures. They’re great for all ages!

Uncover hidden gems