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.

Enter through the West Entrance to begin your tour, it should take about 90 minutes.

Download the museum map (PDF 278KB)

Skip the queues with a membership

Sneak around the 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 a behind-the-scenes tour of the spirit collection.

Getting there: come in through the West Entrance and turn left.

Admire beautiful art

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: head towards Hintze Hall and turn left opposite the Dinosaurs gallery.

Discover Hintze Hall's 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: take the stairs to the upper floors of Hintze Hall.

Go meteorite spotting

Lay your eyes on 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: go through the Minerals Gallery to the Vault at the back.

Pop into a shop

Take a break from exploring and browse the beautiful gifts in the Museum Shop. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) to this cute and cuddly sloth or grab a souvenir to remember your day.

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

Explore a living habitat

On your way out, be sure to stop by our new gardens. Spot dragonflies buzzing over the pond or wander quietly through our mini-forest habitat. This living laboratory is sure to have something different each time you visit.

Getting there: leave the Museum through the Central Entrance and wander the gardens.