
All schools are required to book their visits to our Museum in advance. School visits are only available during term time. Bookings are currently available up to December 2023.
The Museum is open 10.00 to 17.50.
There are two types of visit available:
- Self-guided (all key stages)
- Self-guided with a paid show, workshop or tour:
- Super Stegosaurus workshop - for ages 5-7 (KS1)
- Ocean Life and Habitat show - for ages 6-11 (Upper KS1 + KS2)
- Dino Show - for ages 6-11 (Upper KS1 + KS2)
- Emergency! Earthquakes and Volcanoes show - for ages 7-11 (KS2)
- Dino dig workshop - for ages 7-11 (KS2)
- Evolution workshop - for Year Six (ages 10-11) only
- Mission to Mars: LEGO® Explorers workshop - for ages 7-11 (KS2) and 11-14 (KS3)
- Meet the Scientist talk - for ages 13+ (year 9+)
- Spirit Collection Tour - for ages 14+ (KS4 and KS5) [£45 per tour]
Show and workshop timings are listed on their dedicated pages linked above. Workshops and shows cost £3 per pupil. The Spirit Collection Tour is £45 per tour.
Booking a self-guided visit only
If you'd like to book a self-guided visit without a paid workshop, show or tour, please complete the booking form.
Booking a visit with paid show, workshop or tour
If you would like to make a paid booking please phone the School Bookings team on 020 7942 5000. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00 - 17.00.
New School Booking Policy
Please be aware that any paid learning sessions for school visits must now be paid by card in full at the time of booking.
Please have card details for payment and the following information ready when calling to book:
- Date and time of visit
- Number of students and adults
- Address of school including postcode (and country if non-UK)
- Name of group leader
- Age range of students
We only accept card payments and no longer take BACS payments for school sessions.
Home Educator groups
Home Educator groups are welcome to visit us at the Museum. Please see our Home Educator page for further information.
Before your visit
We recommend you come for a preliminary visit to plan what you will see and do on the day.
Eating
A lunch space for the indoor picnic area can be reserved when you book. These are for 30 minutes at a set time between 11.00 and 13.30. This is subject to availability.
You can bring your own food or buy sandwiches, soft drinks, tea, and coffee from our cafes.
Supervision guidelines
The behaviour of pupils at the Museum is the responsibility of teachers and adult supervisors. Please ensure your group meets the minimum adult to pupil ratio for your Key Stage.
Please make sure that your group is split into these numbers when moving around the Museum to avoid congestion, maintain social distancing with other visitors and to not overcrowd the Museum facilities.
Key stage |
Minimum |
Recommended |
Foundation Stage |
1:6 |
1:4 |
Key Stage 1 |
1:8 |
1:5 |
Key Stage 2 |
1:10 |
1:8 |
Key Stage 3 |
1:10 |
1:10 |
Key Stage 4 |
1:15 |
1:10 |
Post-16 |
1 adult per booking |
1:10 |
If the behaviour of anyone in a school group adversely affects the safety or enjoyment of other students or staff, we may require the school group to leave.
Behavioural code of conduct for schools
Respecting the space in which you are visiting is vital for the preservation and longevity of our collection, for ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of all visitors here and for ensuring your own safety.
We ask teachers to remind their pupils of the following before their visit:
- Please follow all COVID-19 government guidelines in place at the Museum
- Please follow any instructions provided by Museum staff
- Please treat the Museum’s spaces and specimens with care and respect
- Please walk, do not run
- Please respect others enjoying their visit
- Please dispose of litter in the bins provided
- Please always stay with your group
In making your booking with the Natural History Museum, you agree that your group will abide by this code. Please ensure all accompanying adults are aware of the code and that children are well supervised throughout their visit.
Risk assessment
Activities for schools are designed with full consideration of the risks involved. We have updated our risk assessment (PDF 113KB) recently to help teachers plan a visit from September 2021.
Payment and cancellations
Please read our payment and cancellation conditions for charged-for school activities.
If you have booked a school activity and need to cancel, contact our school bookings team. They will provide a confirmation email.
On the day of your visit
Parking for coaches
There are a limited number of stopping spaces for coaches in two locations - Queen's Gate and Cromwell Road. Coaches can stop for a maximum of 15 minutes to drop off and collect passengers.
We kindly remind coach parties and drivers that leaving an engine idling when stationary is an offence and may be subject to a fine by the local council. Out of respect for our neighbours and to reduce the carbon footprint in our surrounding area, please help us avoid any unnecessary pollution.
Where to go when you arrive
All school groups should use the entrance on Exhibition Road. (Visit the Getting here page to see its location.)
A staff member can direct you to School Reception on the lower ground floor of the Green Zone, where you can check in and use the toilet facilities.
Cloakroom spaces are very limited and cannot be guaranteed. Our team will always do their best to accommodate groups, but we would strongly recommend bringing as little as possible with you in case capacity is full.
If you have booked an activity, please allow sufficient time (at least 20 minutes) to register and get to the activity location.
Getting here
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD
See a Google map of our location
Gallery announcements
We sometimes need to close areas of the Museum for refurbishment. Check these updates before your visit.