Map and attractions
Discover what you can see and do in our free galleries, and where you can eat, drink and shop across the Museum.
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Two hour self-guided tours
Whether you're visiting us for the first time or the fiftieth, these self-guided tours will show you the best we have to offer.
Family favourites
Round up your family and take a tour to see some of our biggest sights including dinosaurs, whales and volcanoes.
Hidden treasures
Even if you've visited us before there's still plenty to discover. This tour guides you through some of our lesser-known treasures and is great for all ages.
Exhibits with impact
Uncover some of our most fascinating stories and learn something new with this engaging tour aimed at adults and solo travellers.
Let’s choose the perfect self-guided tour for you! Who are you visiting us with?
Things to do in our galleries
Take an audio-guided tour of Hintze Hall
Sir David Attenborough's unmistakable voice and expertise on all things nature make him the perfect person to take you on an audio-guided tour of Hintze Hall's star specimens.
Six free things to do at the Museum
There is so much for families to explore in the galleries, including your favourite dinosaurs, volcanoes and mammals. Don't miss the Dinosaur Gallery and our earthquake simulator.
16 things to do this summer for adults
Find out what you can do with us during June, July and August. With gallery tours, breathtaking photography and events to inspire your creative side - there's something for everyone.
Let’s find the perfect plan for your day. How much time do you have to spend here?
What can you find in our galleries?
Dinosaurs and fossils
From prehistoric predators to early humans and fossilised plant life, these specimens tell the incredible story of how life evolved on our planet.
Dinosaurs
The Museum's dinosaurs are world-famous. Meet the roaring T. rex, see the skull of a Triceratops and wander among fossils in our Dinosaurs Gallery.
Central Building
Lasting Impressions
Examine remarkable fossil evidence of long-ago events in our Lasting Impressions gallery.
East Wing
Fern the Diplodocus
Come and say hello to our newest dino-pal, Fern the bronze Diplodocus supported by Kasuma Trust. Standing proud within our gardens, Fern is surrounded by tree ferns, cyciads and a prowling Hypsilophodon.
In the gardens
Enigmacursor
Meet Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, a new species of dinosaur officially recognised by science that’s taken up permanent residence on our Earth Hall Mezzanine.
Earth Hall Mezzanine
Fossils from Britain
Trace our fossil record through mud, silt, sand and time. See preserved shark teeth and spot the fossil fakes in our Fossils from Britain gallery.
Central Building
Fossil Marine Reptiles
Find out what was going on in the oceans while dinosaurs dominated the land in our Fossil Marine Reptiles gallery.
Central Building
Human Evolution
Trace the origins and evolution of our species, and explore what makes us human.
East Wing
Animal kingdom
Encounter hippos and hedgehogs, snails and serpents, mice and molluscs in our galleries and discover the incredible diversity of the natural world.
Mammals Hall
Discover the biggest mammals in the animal kingdom, from extinct mammoths to giant elk and our impressive blue whale model.
North Wing
Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles
Meet some of the most weird and wonderful water-dwelling species in our Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles gallery.
North Wing
Mammals
Explore the rich diversity of mammals, from polar bears to pygmy shrews in the Mammals gallery.
Central Building
Birds
Discover an extinct dodo, our historical hummingbird cabinet and a Victorian avian anatomy display in our Birds gallery.
Central Building
Marine Invertebrates
Investigate the lives of ocean inhabitants in our Marine Invertebrates gallery.
North Wing
Earth, minerals and the environment
Take a journey through our spectacular Earth sculpture and find out about the tremendous forces that shape our planet.
Earth Hall and Stegosaurus
Meet our incredible dinosaur specimen, the most intact Stegosaurus fossil skeleton ever found. At three metres tall and almost six metres long, it's a dramatic welcome to Earth Hall.
East Wing
Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Epic forces are at work every day, changing the face of our planet. Explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live.
East Wing
The Vault
Some of nature's most unique and valuable treasures are on display in our Vault. See a piece of the Winchcombe meteorite, from the first meteorite fall to have been recovered in the UK for 30 years.
Central Building
Minerals
Step back in time to see the Museum as it was in 1881 with its original oak display cabinets in our Minerals Gallery.
Central Building
Evolution Timeline
Supported by Evolution Education Trust, trace the history of Earth along an immersive timeline of ancient rocks that leads you from the oldest rocks in the UK to the present day.
In the gardens
Fixing Our Broken Planet
Explore science-backed, hopeful solutions that will help us to create a more sustainable world.
Central Building
From The Beginning
Explore the evolution of life on our planet in our From the Beginning Gallery.
East Wing
Earth's Treasury
Discover minerals, gemstones and rocks in our Earth's Treasury Gallery.
East Wing
Restless Surface
How has wind, water and other weather shaped Earth? And how long has it taken? Find out in our Restless Surface Gallery.
East Wing
The history of natural history
Step back in time and explore how our relationship with the natural world has changed.
Nature and Us
Flip the lens and consider the impact that nature has had on us. Discover specimens and stories that explore our relationship with nature, revealing more about who we are.
Central Building
Hintze Hall Balconies
Look down on Hope the blue whale, discover more about the practice of natural history and get a closer look at our intricate painted ceiling.
Central Building
Fixing Our Broken Planet
Explore science-backed, hopeful solutions that will help us to create a more sustainable world.
Central Building
Treasures
Explore 22 objects spanning 4.5 billion years of Earth's history. Each exhibit tells a remarkable story and has been chosen for its scientific, historical and cultural importance.
Central Building
Images of Nature
See how artists and scientists view the natural world through more than 100 images from the Museum's collection in our Images of Nature Gallery.
Central Building
Our gardens and quieter spaces
Whether you're here for the sights, or seeking a quieter time, there is something for everyone in our galleries.
Our gardens
Scan the pond for dragonflies, follow in the footsteps of our earliest human ancestors and learn what the future of our planet might look like, all in our gardens.
Museum grounds
Zoology Spirit Building
With over 23 million specimens stored in alcohol in the spirit collection, see a selection on display next to the Attenborough Studio. This is a public space tucked away from our busier areas.
West Wing
Contemplation Room
This is a quiet, naturally lit room used for prayer and reflection.
Please speak to our staff in Hintze Hall if you wish to use the room.
North Wing
The Cocoon
Explore science and nature in the Darwin Centre's Cocoon and meet experts at Attenborough Studio events.
West Wing
Popular places
Our most popular galleries and spaces are sure to wow big kids and little ones alike.
Hintze Hall
Whale hello there! Walk beneath the largest animal on Earth and explore dozens of other exhibits representing 4.5 billion years of natural history.
Central Building
Fixing Our Broken Planet Gallery
Explore science-backed, hopeful solutions that will help us to create a more sustainable world.
Central Building
Dinosaurs
The Museum's dinosaurs are world-famous. Meet the roaring T. rex, see the skull of a Triceratops and wander among fossils in our Dinosaurs Gallery.
Central Building
Andy's clock
See the clock from the CBeebies shows Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and Andy's Prehistoric Adventures in the Central Cafe near Hintze Hall.
Central Building
Our Gardens
Scan the pond for dragonflies, follow in the footsteps of our earliest human ancestors and learn what the future of our planet might look like, all in our gardens.
Museum grounds
Gallery closures and maintenance works
Sometimes we need to close galleries and spaces around the Museum to allow for essential maintenance or events.
Last updated 24 August 2026
Closed spaces:
- The Cocoon is subject to last minute closures due to staff shortages, please ask a team member in the galleries for more information.
- The Creepy Crawlies Gallery is now closed and will reopen as a new, permanent gallery for families.
- Our animatronic T.rex will be closed to the public between 7-25 September for maintenance.
- The new Nature and Us Gallery will be closed on the morning of 18 September while we install a new showcase.
Lifts:
- A number of lifts in the Darwin Centre are currently out of order
- The lift in our Mammals Hall is currently out of order.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Eat, drink and shop
Roaming the galleries can be exhausting stuff, so why not rest and refuel in one of our cafes? There's a selection of fresh food and hot and cold drinks available. Browse the shops for dinosaur- and other nature-inspired gifts.
Looking for more ideas? Let’s discover an event perfect for you!
Creepy Crawlies
Learn about locusts, scorpions, termites and thousands of their relatives.
Green zone
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