14 things to do this spring for adults

Sign up for one of our new Naturally Curious short courses and learn from our world-famous experts. Whether it's Rocks in Space or Dinosaurs 101 - we've got something for every curious mind.

It's Audubon Day on 26 April. Visit Images of Nature to see our free exhibition on John James Audubon and his book, Birds of America. 

Meet the oldest modern bird in the world the so-called wonderchicken, find out what a pigeon has in common with a ferocious T. rex and discover how these winged wonders managed to survive the mass extinction that wiped out all the other dinosaurs.

This International Women's Day (8 March) take a guided tour of the first floor Hintze Hall balconies and the Minerals gallery and discover the fascinating work of women scientists past and present.

Free, advanced booking required

De-stress, connect with nature and improve your balance at this bright and early Tai Chi class. Practice beneath Hope the blue whale for a wellbeing experience among the treasures of the natural world.

Adults £25

Marvel at some of the world's most breath-taking examples of wildlife photography, including an elusive monk seal, a porcupine's impressive protection and a macaque riding on a deer, all at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. 

This year's images can also be viewed in our free online gallery.

Raise a glass to the OG nature broadcaster, who is turning 98 this year. He won't actually be here on his birthday (8 May), but you can be guided around Hintze Hall's star specimens by the best voice in the biz, see an Attenborosaurus (an extinct marine reptile) or visit the gogotte in Lasting Impressions, donated in 2017 in honour of Sir David's ninetieth birthday.

Permanent, free

Explore the Dinosaurs gallery before it is open to the public with an Out-of-hours Dino Tour. Our knowledgeable guides will answer all of your questions while you get up close and personal with all the main characters in our world-famous Dinosaurs gallery.

Adults £25

Adorned with imposing gargoyles, intricate carvings and high, decorative ceilings. Join us for a special tour where you'll uncover the fascinating stories hidden within the architecture of our iconic building.

Adult: £15

With the natural world in crisis, mining may seem far from a solution. But mining for new metals and minerals is vital to green technologies including solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars.

Discover how mining could help bring about a more sustainable future and learn what steps you can take to lead a more sustainable life.

Take a deep breath and stretch out under the blue whale at a morning yoga class hosted in collaboration with East of Eden. After a live gong bath to finish the session, explore the galleries before the Museum opens to the public.

Adults, £35

This display case contains a pair of swans caring for their young. This family of swans are posed as they would be in nature. The signet is resting on the mother's back. The cases were originally displayed in 1883 as part of an early exhibition. Of over 150 cases, only two survived World War II bombing.

See these swans at the end of the Birds gallery.

Permanent, free

Embark on a journey through lush botanical wonders with artist Megan Fatharly and discover the art of tin embossing while drawing inspiration from nature’s intricate beauty. 

Adult: £60

Meet Archie the 8.62-metre-long giant squid, Darwin's octopus and other specimens preserved in jars (or tanks), in a behind-the-scenes tour of our Zoology spirit building.

Various dates, £25, bookings essential