I’d heard good things about the Natural History Museum in South Kensington in London, so when we arrived to find a long queue I wasn’t too worried, thinking it would be worth the wait. And boy, was it worth it. Even without a single exhibit inside this is a must see when visiting London just for the beautiful building alone. What’s more it’s free.
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse the museum first opened in 1881. The exterior is beautiful but when I stepped inside the central hall it really bowled me over, I thought I had been transported to Hogwarts and a scene from Harry Potter. I half expected the staircases to start moving at any minute.
The details throughout the building are exquisite, with monkeys climbing up backbones, intertwining serpents, birds and plants growing up into the ceiling. Look up and you’ll see these beautifully painted panels.
Of course, the exhibits are fascinating too, such as this long since extinct dodo but the building itself kept distracting me. My camera lens was drawn back to the architectural details time and time again.
In the Earth Galleries an escalator takes you up into the centre of the planet. Swallowing young and old alike. Whole.
Don’t miss the earthquake room, guaranteed to shake you up, quite literally.
There was another queue to see the dinosaurs, but again worth the wait.
What a sight these magnificent creatures must have once been. Can you imagine digging this fellow up? How thrilling to discover these remains.
Like many museums in London, as well as a café, there’s an area set aside for people to eat their own packed lunch, which saves a small fortune, especially for families.
Check out their website for opening times and any temporary exhibitions, such as the current amazing butterfly room, with hundreds of live butterflies to see flying and landing all around you, even on you.(until Sep 15th 2013)
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Map and directions
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Looks great, we will be in London in December so will try to save plenty of time to explore it, I have heard nothing but good things.
Hi Kat,
What great photos! On my few trips to London there has never been time for this Museum, but after your description, I think I may have to put it on my “must see” list! I love the Smithsonians in Washington and know I would love London’s Natural History as well!
Thanks Deirdre. I do hope you get to visit before too long!
What type of lens did you use to get the details of the museum? I recently purchased a 75×300 for my camera and it got great distance shots of landscapes in Ireland, but I haven’t tried it out indoors yet.
It’s a Nikon 28 – 105mm with a Nikon D700 body. The great advantage with this camera is that the sensor is a lot bigger than most other digital SLRs (or at least it was when I got it) and the lens length is the same as if it were a 35mm film camera. The camera works well in low light levels (up to ISO 6400) and the lens opens up to f3.5, which is more than some other lenses, letting more light in.
Hi Kat, I’ve been to many museum in London but I haven’t been to the Natural History Museums. How did I miss? I love dinasour exhibits. The building architecture and details are so magnificent that I’ll still go even without the dinasours. Not sure I can handle the earthquake room!
What a shame you missed it but you’ll just have to come back again. And when you do I’ll thank you in person for your kind donation to Nyodema. I’m going back to The Gambia in December and will be buying more stoves then, if not before. Really can’t thank you enough – such a very lovely surprise!
Oh and I love Cinque Terre, must check that post out!
Your lovely shots have just reminded me what a fab place this is – must go back soon!
Thanks Suzanne. There’s so much to see there I’m sure I only saw half of it, if that! Well worth a second visit.
Amazing photos! We went there for the first time earlier this year and had an amazing time, well worth a visit
Thanks Rachel. It really is a very special place.
Hi Kat
Those are great shots of the building inside and out, particularly the third and fourth.
We visited about 6 weeks ago and only had half a day to spend there. It was nothing like enough – in fact, I’m sure a full day isn’t really enough to do it all justice, to be honest – but we enjoyed what we saw in the little time we did have… 🙂
Paul
Thanks Paul. I’m sure I only saw a fraction of what was there.