Free entry (butterfly house is paid)
Seven days a week
What it is
Museum tags: Natural history, botany & gardens; World history; Culture; Anthropology; Interactive and immersive
A huge, popular family museum with a wildly eclectic collection which is impossible to define.
Highlights include the World Gallery, with collections from across continents; an aquarium; a natural history display; a display of music instruments.
It’s also popular for its large gardens home to a number of interesting sights – like a butterfly house, a Victorian conservatory, animals and an Alaskan totem pole.
Note: When I last visited in January 2026, the Natural History Section was closed for refurbishment, as were some parts of the garden. This is all part of a major new project, with a new nature trail and state of the art activity center due to open in the Summer.
I especially like the way they’ve done the World Galleries – one of the best anthropology museums I’ve seen anywhere, exploring cultures the world over in a way that feels respectful, educational and engaging.
The gardens are pretty vast and offer excellent views across into Central London.
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