Hidden treasures

Even if you've visited the Museum before and have seen the highlights, there's still plenty to discover. This self-guided tour shows you some of the Museum's lesser-known treasures and is aimed at all ages.

 

Begin your tour in Hintze Hall, it should take about 90 minutes.

Hintze Hall balconies

See displays showcasing the diversity of the natural world on Hintze Hall's balconies. Explore beautiful seabird, pheasant, rock and mineral displays, then head to the second floor to see Hope from a different angle and the giant sequoia specimen which has been on display since 1893.

Getting there: located in the upper floors of Hintze Hall.  

Winchcombe meteorite

Discover the Winchcombe meteorite - the first fallen meteorite to have been recovered in the UK for 30 years. This rare meteorite is known as carbonaceous chondrite and out of 65,000 known meteorites in the world, only around 1,000 are of this specific type.

Getting there: located in the Vault in the Green Zone on the first floor.

Images of Nature

See how artists and scientists view the natural world in Images of Nature. Take in 350 years of prints, watercolours and paintings in just a few minutes. Old meets new with modern images created by scientists using micro-CT scanners, imaging specialists and photography.

Getting there: located in the Blue Zone opposite the Dinosaurs gallery.

Zoology spirit building

You can find the Museum's spirit collection next to the Attenborough Studio. Named after the alcohol used to preserve its 23 million specimens, our spirit collection includes a common octopus, a lesser vampire bat and a giant toad. 

Got extra time? Book your tickets for a behind-the-scenes tour of the spirit collection

Getting there: located in the Orange Zone.  

Pop into a shop

Before you head home, browse the beautiful gifts in the Museum Shop. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) to this cute and cuddly sloth.

Getting there: located in the Green Zone near the main exit on Cromwell Road.

Be part of something big

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Try a different tour or see what else is on 

Family favourites

Round up your family and take a  tour  to see some of the Museum's biggest sights⁠ including dinosaurs, whales and volcanoes.

What's on at the Museum

From free activities for families and kids, to silent discos beneath our iconic blue whale, there is always something going on in South Kensington.

Exhibits with impact

Uncover some of the Museum's most fascinating stories with this tour aimed at adults and solo travellers.