8/8/2019 Random Review: Natural History Museum

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Random Review: Natural History Museum 

The Natural History Museum in West London was established in 1881 and is the fourth most popular museum in Britain. Before it got its own beautiful building, the museum’s founding

collection (which originally belonged to Sir Hans Sloane) was housed in the Brit ish Museumin 1756 and was part and parcel of the British Museum until the British Museum Act in 1963

effectively allowed the Natural History Museum to be an independent body. Yet, it wasn’t

until the Museums and Galleries Act in 1992 that the museum’s for mal title changed from

British Museum (Natural History) to the name we have come to know and love.

The Natural History Museum

Thanks in large part to several dedicated scientists and noted Superintendents, the Natural

History Museum has evolved into one of the most exciting and dynamic museums of our

time.

Perhaps best known for the Diplodocus in the main hallway and a T-Rex my son

affectionately calls Rexie (pre Night at the Museum  – we are thinking of suing, just to

sharpen son’s legal teeth and so on), the museum has branched out (I do like my nature puns)

and now has several new sections with seriously good stuff going on in each one.

The Diplodocus in the Museum hallway

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The Darwin Centre is where the magic happens. This building is where you will find the

scientists and the preserved specimens, usually immortalised in alcohol. I had the privilege of 

working there as an assistant to the curators in the lower vertebrates department once, whichwas an incredible experience and which allowed me to handle and view some seriously sexy

specimens, like Archie, the giant squid (now dwarfed by its successor, the colossal squid).

This experience is on offer to anyone who wants to volunteer and the museums’ volunteerscheme is superb.

Archie, The Giant Squid

The all new Attenborough Studio is a collaboration in which nature and technology combine

to create what the museum describes as a “High-tech audio-visual venue” featuring shows,

films and events, with the hugely popular “Nature Live” shows, where the audience can

interact in discussions about life on earth. It’s so popular that son and I usually have to bribe

the ladies at the till with pralines.

8/8/2019 Random Review: Natural History Museum

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David

Attenborough

Apart from the Darwin Centre and the Studio, the museum is divided into galleries and zones,

which correspond to the different elements in natural history and as it is a large museum, it

may be worth picking up one of their leaflets in the building or just checking out their  Guideonline, which is very clear and organised. In fact, I would not be putting too fine a point on it,

if I said the museum’s website rocks (there is a Minerals section, the pun is good)!

As well as the permanent fixtures at the Natural History Museum, the temporary exhibitions,

as they have come to be known, are wonderful additions to the calendar of seemingly endlessevents at the museum. This time of year, it’s all about the ice rink . Having opened last

weekend, the ice rink is open right up until January 2011 and is at its loveliest in the evening,when you can skate to your heart’s content. There’s no need to worry if you’ve never skated

before – there are safety guides on the ice and an abundance of handsome male skaters youcan crash into. If you’d rather not risk the embarrassment, there is a sweet café bar by the

rink, where you can sit back, sip your coffee and laugh at the skaters who never quite make it

up off the rink floor. There is even a carousel for the kids to ride on and food stations serving

yummy Winter fare to keep you warm.

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The Museum Ice Rink at Night

Moving on to indoor pursuits, keen camera enthusiasts will love, The Wildlife Photographer

of the Year Competition which is an exhibition of some of the World’s greatest talent

(winners often include National Geographic photographers who do daring things to get

amazing shots) and there is also a dedicated programme for Kids Only, so everyone can be

happily entertained. Some of the night events too are truly special, like Dino Snores, whereparents and children can actually sleep over at the museum and find out what goes on after

closing time!

But a review would not be a review without some insider information and there is plenty to

be had when planning to make the best of any trip to a museum. Like most family attractions,the Natural History Museum is always jam-packed at the weekends and during the holiday

 periods, but if you don’t feel right about pulling a sickie and taking your children to the

museum on a weekday (!) then it may be worth organising to visit the museum just as it

opens (10am) or an hour or so before it closes (5.50pm). These are the least busy times and

coming to the museum then will allow you to wander around in relative comfort.

Nature in Black and White Winner, Antonio Busiello (Veolia Environnement WildlifePhotographer of the Year 2010)

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If you do find yourself visiting at peak times and you can see the conga line of families

extending down the museum walkway and five miles down the Cromwell Road, there is a

secret entrance that not many people know of. If you’re happy to brave the crowds once

inside, getting in is easy. Just follow the museum round to the right and walk a few yards up

Exhibition Road. There is a small side entrance open to the public where you can sneak in

(unless it’s tourist season, but it’s still smaller than the main queue)…. 

Finally, although entry to the museum is free, times are hard for these institutions and most of 

the temporary exhibitions now require payment to get in. This can become a costly exerciseunless you have……………… a membership! Son and I have had one for many years and

whilst the price keeps going up and by and by value for money seems relatively less, in the

grand scheme of things it is still an excellent deal when comparing it to most family

attractions AND your donation goes towards funding research and upkeep at the museum,

which in turns serves to protect our environment for the next generation: our little ones.

The membership has lots of perks: gorgeous quarterly magazines (one for adults and one for

children), free admission and fast track service to exhibitions, guest passes (should you wishto bring guests), discounts at the souvenir shops and restaurants and various members’ rooms

you can use. The museum also hosts special Members only events, from allowing members to

view private reading collections to lectures on natural history and much more. This is a

membership that really works hard for the money and offers all sorts of useful advantages if 

you think you may be a regular visitor.

If membership is not your thing and you prefer to view the world from the comfort of yourstudy chair, the brilliant e-news service the Natural History Museum offers is well worth a

look. This museum has a heart and a soul and makes learning fun and friendly. It also

happens to be my favourite place, whether contemplating my navel under the blue brick 

archways alone or watching my son stare at Rexie and then dart off to the birds section;

Paradise may be a myth; or it may just be the Natural History Museum.

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