 There is a cluster of museums located in the heart of South Kensington and the Natural History Museum located in the Waterhouse Building on Cromwell Road is definitely the grandest of them all. Since opening on Easter Monday in 1881 the Natural History Museum has been a truly fascinating place to visit, with over 70 million specimens and items to astound each and every visitor - from children to zoology researchers alike. When you enter this stunning Italian Renaissance style building, you are greeted by a ridiculously large Diplodocus dinosaur and from here on in your visit becomes a lesson dedicated entirely to assist in the understanding of this crazy thing we call the natural world.
The spectacular central hall marks the beginning of the ´Life Galleries´ and in here you can ogle the centuries old Dinosaur skeletons, discover the world of the largest creatures on planet earth including whales and elephants and the ´creepy crawlies´ section is a winner with the little ones. The ´Earth Galleries´ are where you can find out how and when this planet as we know it came about and what is essential for its survival. ´Hands on Spaces´ is fantastic for everyone, a section where you are actually encouraged to handle and touch the many different specimens and scientific tools and ´The Power Within´ guides you through the different stages of earthquakes and volcanoes and why they occur. You also have the chance to actually experience the feeling of the tremors.
The Darwin Centre, named after the famous British Naturalist Charles Darwin, is super interesting to say the least. The shelves and shelves of pickled bits and bobs are squirmy but oh so captivating at the same time. To explore the centre entirely you need to book a place on the Darwin Explore Tour. Entry is free but only a maximum of six people can investigate the centre at any one time. Why would you pass up the opportunity to see a pickled human head that was discovered partially digested in the stomach of a sperm whale, or miss the chance to spy Archie the 8.62 metre squid?
The Natural History Museum is also the sponsor of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards and every year the entries are displayed in the museum. If you get a chance, it is most definitely worth while checking out these photographs as they are always outstanding.
What the Natural History Museum has collected or had donated over the years is astonishing, and the collection and exhibitions grow by the day. A more recent addition to the museum is the bones belonging to the Bottlenose Whale that was trapped in the River Thames in January 2006. After heroic attempts to free the whale he sadly convulsed and died whilst being taken back to sea.
Entry is FREE to the Natural History Museum, although there is usually an admission fee for special exhibitions, and it is open daily from 10am Monday to Saturday and 11am on Sundays. There are a couple of great shops where you purchase books, toys, jewellery and other crazy bits and pieces. The Dino Shop is definitely the favourite - a whole store dedicated to all things prehistoric.
There are plenty of places to rest for a quick drink & snack or a hot lunch to refuel before the next expedition. The Waterhouse Café is located right in the heart of the museum, the Life Galleries restaurant is tucked away in a quiet corner, the Globe Café is by the Earth Galleries, there's a coffee bar by the Exhibition Road entrance and there is the Underground Café & Picnic Area in the basement.
South Kensington underground station is only a short walk from the museum, running on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. Gloucester Road tube station is also an option a little further down Cromwell Road. Parking is limited and expensive around the museum but there is metered parking available on Exhibition Road. Only 200 metres walk away is the Science Museum. Entry is FREE to the Science Museum, although there are fees for the IMAX Cinema, Simulator rides and entry to some of the special exhibitions. The museum is open seven days a week from 10am.
Hotels near to the Natural History Museum are mainly located just west of here in the Gloucester Road area of South Kensington. Notable ones include the Montana Hotel, a very popular three star hotel and the Harrington Hall Hotel, a 4 star British styled hotel. Within easy walking distance of the Natural History Museum is the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, the largest Holiday Inn in all of Europe.
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