Exhibits with impact

Begin your journey by marvelling at one of the most complete Stegosaurus skeletons on display in Europe. Apart from a few replica bones here and there, it’s completely real. With our huge metallic globe in the background, it’s the perfect opportunity for an epic selfie.

Getting there: Once you’ve passed the donation points at our East Entrance on Exhibition Road, head up the stairs or take the lift up to our Earth Hall.

The earthquake simulator in our Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery is modelled after a quake that took place in Kobe, Japan, in 1995. It allows you to feel what an earthquake would be like in a safe environment. Give it a go and find out how to stay safe in a real quake.

Note: This experience may be triggering for some visitors, so only try it if you feel comfortable.

Getting there: Head to the Second Floor of our Red Zone and look for the room that’s decorated like a Japanese supermarket at the back of our Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery.

Rubies and emeralds shine brightly in our Earth’s Treasury Gallery. Admire all the glittering gemstones and examine rock from Stonehenge. Plus, learn about ancient and modern uses of metal.

Getting there: Make your way down to the First Floor of our Red Zone.

Check out some of Mary Anning’s most famous marine reptile discoveries, including an ichthyosaur and a plesiosaur. Mary was only 12 years old when she made her first discovery, proving that you can be a scientist at any age!

Getting there: Make your way back to the Ground Floor of our Red Zone and pass through our Lasting Impressions Gallery and Birds Gallery into our Fossil Marine Reptiles Gallery.

Pick up a special souvenir to remember your visit. From animal plush toys and keyrings to replica T.rex skulls, there’s something for every nature lover in our gift shop.

Getting there: As you come towards the end of our Fossil Marine Reptiles Gallery just before you go under the archway to enter Hintze Hall turn left and there’s a doorway to our main gift shop.

This magnificent hall is our most photographed space and it’s easy to see why. If you’ve visited us before, you might remember when we had Dippy the Diplodocus in here. With Dippy currently at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry, we’ve got a new star. Look up! Hanging from our beautiful ceiling is Hope our magnificent 26-metre-long blue whale skeleton.

Getting there: Exit our gift shop into Hintze Hall.

Guy was a popular resident of London Zoo before passing away in 1978 from a heart attack. His skin was donated to us and expertly mounted by one of our taxidermists. This powerful primate is hard to miss, which is why we’ve made Guy the meeting point for our free Women in Science Tours. If you want to take one of our free tours, check our website for available tour dates and times.

Getting there: Take the main staircase or lift up to the First Floor of Hintze Hall. Guy the Gorilla is just outside the entrance to our Treasures Gallery.

Enter our Minerals Gallery and step back in time. This is our most historic gallery – it remains true to how it was presented when our doors first opened in 1881. As you wander among our display cases, take a look at awesome rocks from all over the world. If you’re a geology enthusiast and looking for a specific mineral, check our index at the back of the room by the entrance to the Vault.

Getting there: From Guy the Gorilla go along the balcony and past the lifts. The entrance to our Minerals Gallery will be on your left.

Can you guess how old our giant sequoia was when it was felled in 1891? Well, what if we told you it was actually 1,341 years old! You’ll find this remarkable specimen on the Second Floor of Hintze Hall. This is also a great place to take photographs of Hope our blue whale. On this floor, you’ll also find our Anning Rooms, 'an exclusive space for our members with its own restaurant and a fantastic view of the city - just one of our many membership perks. Considering becoming a member? Find out more about our memberships here.

Getting there: Take the stairs or the lift up to the Second Floor of Hintze Hall.

Take a photo with our roaring animatronic T.rex and explore our Dinosaurs Gallery. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled upwards as you go – you never know what you might discover. See if you can spot the tiny but ferocious Dromaeosaurus skeletons, listen out for the trumpet-like call of a Parasaurolophus and examine the first fossil dinosaur teeth ever found.

Getting there: Once you’ve made your way back down to the Ground Floor of Hintze Hall using the stairs or lift, go through the corridor that leads to our Darwin Centre Atrium. The entrance to our Dinosaurs Gallery is the third doorway on the left.

Roam around our Mammals (blue whale) Gallery and count all the different animals you can find. There’s one that’s truly impossible to miss and that’s our model of a blue whale, which was constructed inside the gallery in the 1930s.

Getting there: As you exit our Dinosaurs Gallery you’ll come out opposite our Dino Store. Turn left and go past it then turn right into our Mammals Gallery. Follow it to the end then turn right and you’ll see the entrance to our Mammals (blue whale) Gallery.

Head out into the fresh air and finish your visit by exploring our Nature Discovery Garden. Here you can explore our ponds, listen to birdsong and relax in our wildlife haven. Once you’re ready to head home, you can head out of our West Gate onto the corner of Queen’s Gate and Cromwell Road.

Note: Our gardens close at 16.00 during the winter months and 17.00 during the summer months.

Getting there: Exit our Mammals (blue whale) Gallery and head towards our Darwin Centre Atrium. Take the stairs or the lift down to the atrium and exit the building.

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

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

Even if you’ve visited before and have seen the highlights, there’s still plenty to discover. This tour guides you through some of our lesser-known treasures. They’re great for all ages!