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. From a meteorite and moon rock, a dodo to Darwin's pigeons, and the intricate Blaschka glass models, uncover some of the most extraordinary specimens in our collection.
Star specimens and exhibits
- beautiful butterflies collected by Alfred Russel Wallace
- original images from John James Audubon's Birds of America book
- Sir Hans Sloane's beautifully carved nautilus shell
- an emperor penguin egg collected during Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic expedition
- and don't miss our visitors’ favourite, Guy the gorilla
12 highlights of the Treasures gallery
A royal lion skull, a Moon rock, a famous gorilla, even Darwin's pigeons: uncover some of the most extraordinary specimens in our collection.
Explore the galleries with the Museum map
Find out how to get around with the Museum map. There are four zones to discover.
Showcasing nature's secrets
Discover the objects that shook our world view and inspired new insights, in a collaboration between the Museum and Google Arts & Culture.
Discover the collections
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Science newsHistoric specimens highlight the key role viruses play in Arctic ecosystems
The algae could also be of interest in developing new drugs.
21 April 2021 -
NewsWater from the deepest point on Earth joins the Museum collection
Last year an expedition to the Mariana Trench made history by conducting the deepest crewed dive ever.
24 March 2021 -
NewsFossil hunter Mary Anning commemorated with new 50p coin collection
New 50p coin collection honours fossil hunter Mary Anning.
25 February 2021 -
OceansWhat is an ammonite?
The often tightly wound shells of ammonites may be a familiar sight, but how much do you know about the animals that once lived inside?
