Darwin Centre

A photograph taken inside the Darwin Centre showing a large white cocoon shaped structure on the left enclosed by a tall glass wall on the right.

Explore science and nature in the Darwin Centre's Cocoon, meet experts at Attenborough Studio events, and see specimens close up in the Zoology spirit building.

Drop in to the Centre for UK Nature in the Cocoon atrium or relax outside in the adjoining courtyard.

Explore the galleries with the Museum map

Find out how to get around with the Museum map. There are four zones to discover.

Visions of Nature

Watch a pine tree grow in a matter of seconds and come face to face with a beluga whale in our new mixed reality experience.

Be transported to the year 2125 and discover how our actions have shaped the future of the natural world.

Open now in the Spirit Collection Corridor

Spirit collection tours

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.

The Cocoon

Inside the Cocoon see hundreds of Museum specimens. Marvel at beetles and butterflies, metre-high plants, huge tarantulas and historic herbaria.

The Cocoon is currently closed.