The Natural History Museum is home to life and earth science specimens and is also a world renowned centre of research. It originated from collections curated by the British Museum, but space to house them became limited. When Richard Owen took over as superintendent of the Natural History department [of The British Museum] in 1856, he suggested a new building be built and land around South Kensington was later purchased. Alfred Waterhouse entered and won a competition to design the building after the original architect (Captain Francis Fowke) died. Named the Alfred Waterhouse Building, it was built over many years and opened in 1881.

It's tempting to give the building a quick 'once over', before rushing towards the entrance, but in the Waterhouse Building's case it's worth pondering a little longer. The outside as well as being draped in fetching tiles, has many real and imagined creatures perched above, at rooftop level. All are unique and carved with a sense of humour and dynamism, some looking towards other groups, some directly down at the people looking up. The result is that the museum establishes its credentials early. It's a place of learning, but the kind of learning you don't dread when you're young. Like most children who grew up within a coach-ride of London, I came here first on a school-trip. Yes, it's changed, but the essence of it hasn't. It's cavernous, has something interesting and memorable along every aisle and positively bustles with activity. There's no dry and starchy atmosphere here. Some rooms, such as where the large mammals are kept: stay with you forever.

One of the most famous exhibits, known as Dippy to his friends, is a 105-foot long replica Diplodocus skeleton in the central hall. It starred in the Disney film "One of our dinosaurs is missing". I saw it not long after seeing the film and for several years (along with Big Ben's Clock Tower), it was the image I thought of immediately when I heard the word "London". It was a gift from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who arranged for the cast to be created from the original held at the Carnegie Museum. The pieces were sent to London in 36 crates, and on the 12th May 1905, the exhibit was unveiled, to great public and media interest. It's still there in the main entrance, which itself is an excellent place to take in the building and crowds. High above are the famed ceiling panels, decorated with plants from all over the world. They're exceptional, but also often missed. If you've got a camera, zoom-in from below to pick up the detail. It's a lively place the main hall and when journeying around the sections, you invariably end up here, which helpfully minimises tedious back-tracking.

The Natural History Museum is divided into four coloured sections

• - The Red Zone: the former Geological Museum collection. Earth sciences and where the Earth fits into the Universe.
• - The Blue Zone: dinosaurs, humans, fishes and mammals.
• - The Green Zone: birds, insects, ecology, primates and plants.
• - The Orange Zone: Wildlife Garden and Darwin Centre.

There are many rotating exhibitions throughout the year - check the Natural History Museum website, or follow them @NHM_Museum on Twitter for up-to-the-minute developments. The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (formerly sponsored by Shell) is one I've attended several times. There's a [modest] entry fee and the exhibition displays the highest placed competitive wildlife photographs, by professionals and amateurs. It's a global competition and the standard is suitably high. Usefully, if you're unable to catch it in London, it tours a further 70 cities. The images are also published in the BBC's Wildlife Magazine, which co-sponsors the event.

In short, The Natural History Museum is informative, free and child-friendly. It's as good now as when I first saw it as a youngster. There's nothing quite like seeing a full-size Blue Whale to imprint your memory for life. The Natural History Museum is an essential stop with the added benefit of being next door to the Science Museum and over the road from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Although no entry fee is charged, there are donation boxes should you wish to make a welcome contribution.



The Natural History Museum is open every day (except 24–26 December) from 10:00. Last entry is at 17:30 and the Museum closes at 17:50.

 

The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

South Kensington Tube.

Call: +44 (0)20 7942 5000

 

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