16 things to do this summer for adults

Need plans to fill those lazy summer days? No problem! Join us this June, July and August for a whole host of activities. 

Whether you plan to experience our out-of-this-world exhibition or get lost exploring our gardens, we’ve got plenty to keep you occupied this summer in London.

Go back in time on Mars, immerse yourself in a 360° experience with David Attenborough and celebrate World Elephant Day with us this summer.

Last updated 7 July 2025

A tour guide speaks to an elder couple in front of Fern the diplodocus at our gardens

Be immersed in captivating stories as we guide you through our Evolution Garden. During this immersive tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of evolution and step into a world where nature past and present intertwine.

Various dates

Adult non-member: £20
Adult member: £16

Art of planets in different colours and sizes over a blue background

Join us as we try to answer the big question – are we alone in the universe? Smell planets, touch parts of our solar system, design your own space mission and see what scientists believe could be out there in our exhibition Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?

Adult off-peak tickets from £14
Members go free

Sir David Attenborough sits facing the camera with screens showing geenery and gorillas in the background

Watch as the walls and floor burst into life around you in our new 360° experience Our Story with David Attenborough. Reflecting on his lifetime exploring the planet, Sir David shares its wonders as well as a personal message of hope. Leave feeling empowered to help write the next chapter in our story.

Adult off-peak tickets from £20
Member tickets from £10

Relax as sound artist Simone Salvatici and his talented gong ensemble create a rich, textured soundscape that resonates with celestial vibrations. Using planetary gongs as well as synthesisers and drones, they’ll blend ancient and contemporary sounds into a timeless exploration of primordial tones.

Tuesday 22 July, 18.45–19.45 and 20.15–21.15

Adult non-member: £30
Adult member: £27

Okay so it’s not new new, its actually around 152–145 million years old, but Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae is new for us. This two-legged herbivore has only been officially recognised by science this year, and it’s going on permanent display in our Earth Hall. Standing at around half a metre tall, this little dinosaur would have been found darting around the floodplains of the western USA alongside giants such as Diplodocus and Stegosaurus.

Earth Hall Mezzanine.

Free, permanent display

Explore our Dinosaurs Gallery before it opens to the public for the day with our Out Of Hours Dino Tour. Our knowledgeable tour guides will answer all your questions while you get up close with spectacular skeletons and extraordinary fossils in our world-famous gallery. Plus, get to roar at our almost life-sized animatronic T. rex.

Various dates, 09.00–09.45

Adult non-member: £30
Adult member: £24

A woman looks at the bones of a Marlin in the Fixing Our Broken Planet Gallery

The food we eat, the energy we consume and the stuff we use can tell us a lot about the impact we’re having on the natural world and the opportunities we have to save it. Visit our newest gallery to discover practical, nature-based solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our world today.

Permanent
Free

A tour guide speaks to visitors on a balcony of Hintze Hall overlooking Hope the Blue Whale

From the awe-inspiring blue whale skeleton suspended from our ceiling to the largest blue topaz gemstone of its kind, the specimens we care for are full of wonder. Join us for an hour-long tour of our most iconic specimens and get to know our best of the best. This tour is also available in Spanish and Turkish.

Adult non-member: £20
Adult member: £16

Three elephants in front of the blue whale of our Mammals Gallery

Pack your trunk and take a trip to our Mammals (blue whale) Gallery to celebrate World Elephant Day with us on Tuesday 12 August. Did you know that elephants can use their trunks as snorkels while swimming? Find out more fascinating facts and marvel at the elephants on display.

Permanent, free

An octopus under water

Sign up for one of our new Naturally Curious short courses and learn about the natural world from our renowned experts. Whether it’s Rocks in Space or Dinosaurs 101, we’ve got something for every curious mind.

Jiraffes in our galleries

Take a free guided tour of some of our most famous galleries led by our award-winning learning volunteers. From women in science to gender and sex in the natural world, discover how diverse the history of science is.

Various dates
Free

The preserved body of a dog that was excavated from Pompeii

Nearly 2,000 years ago, in August 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted with devastating consequences. The eruption destroyed the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, burying the people who lived there in a deadly layer of volcanic ash. The bodies of those killed left perfect imprints, or casts. Head to our Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery to see a cast of a man and a dog that was excavated from Pompeii.

Permanent, free

Two women wearing pink pijamas with dinosaurs on them pose in front of Sophie the Stegosaurus

Enjoy a night of fun, food, science, movies and music at our sleepover for grown-ups. Not only will you get to sleep in the iconic Hintze Hall beneath our beloved blue whale, you’ll also be treated to a three-course dinner and loads of awesome activities to keep you entertained all night.

Friday 1 August, 18.30–10.00

Adult non-member: £220
Adult member: £198

A boy wearing a virtual reality set reaches out to touch a narval in Hintze Hall

Watch a tree grow in a matter of seconds and come face-to-face with a beluga whale in our mixed reality experience. Don your headset and be transported to the year 2125 where you’ll discover how making positive changes now can shape the future of the natural world.

Open daily

Non-members: £9.95
Members: £7.95

Fern the diplodocus in the Museum Gardens

Sink into your surroundings and soak in the sights and sounds of nature as you discover the creatures in our gardens. Explore our grassland, wetland and woodland habitats and witness how wildlife can thrive in urban spaces.

Permanent, free

Take a tour of our beautiful gardens and the highlights of the collections we care for before enjoying a nature-themed afternoon tea in our magnificent member’s room.

Various dates, 13.00–15.00

Adult non-member: £82
Adult member: £65

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