The Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, is one of the city’s best-known places to explore dinosaurs, fossils, mammals, minerals and the story of life on Earth. If you are searching for Natural History Museum tickets, the key point is simple: the permanent galleries are free, while selected exhibitions, tours and events cost extra. Booking a free entry ticket in advance can also make arrival easier during busy periods.
Quick Answer
General admission to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is free, but booking a free timed ticket is the safest way to guarantee entry and avoid longer queues. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours and special events can cost extra. In 2026, paid options include Jurassic Oceans and the Museum Highlights Tour.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- The permanent galleries are free for adults and children, although advance booking helps guarantee entry.
- The Museum is normally open daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30.
- Temporary exhibitions and guided experiences have their own prices, age rules and booking conditions.
- Disabled visitors can request free companion tickets for paid exhibitions, and most public areas have step-free access.
- Membership can be useful for frequent visitors because it includes priority entry and unlimited entry to ticketed exhibitions.
Natural History Museum Tickets: What Is Free and What Costs Extra?
Entry to the Natural History Museum’s permanent galleries is free. You can arrive without a ticket, but the Museum warns that walk-in visitors may need to queue during weekends and school holidays. Booking a free entry ticket through the official visitor information page guarantees entry for your booked time.
Paid temporary exhibitions, tours and special events use separate tickets. Their prices depend on the experience, date and visitor category.
| Ticket or experience | 2026 price | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | Permanent galleries; advance free ticket recommended |
| Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep | Adults £15 off-peak or £17.50 standard | Runs to 3 January 2027 |
| Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Adults £17 off-peak, £19 standard or £21 peak | Opens 16 October 2026 |
| Museum Highlights Tour | £20; members £16 | One-hour guided tour; dates depend on availability |
| Behind the Scenes: Spirit Collection | £35; members £28 | 45 minutes; ages 10+; no dates listed when checked |
Discounts are available for several paid exhibitions. For Jurassic Oceans, jobseekers, students and disabled adults pay £12 off-peak or £14 standard. Children aged 4–17 pay £7.50 off-peak or £8.75 standard, while children aged 0–3 enter that exhibition free.
Gift Aid is not an admission discount. Eligible UK taxpayers can allow the Museum to reclaim extra tax on qualifying donations or membership payments at no extra cost to the visitor.
Guided Tours and Group Tours
Guided tours are useful if you want more context than you would get from walking through the galleries alone. The Museum offers public tours focused on its highlights, science, architecture and collections, although dates and availability vary.
Museum Highlights Tour
The Museum Highlights Tour lasts one hour and costs £20, or £16 for members. It covers major objects such as Sophie the Stegosaurus, specimens connected with Mary Anning and Hope, the blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall.
The route covers several floors but is wheelchair accessible using lifts. Hearing loops and seating are available, and the Museum recommends the tour content for visitors aged seven and older. The official page showed no current dates when checked on October 1, 2026, so availability may be limited between scheduled runs.
Private and Group Visits
Private groups can request dedicated tours from the Museum’s Guided Tours team. Non-educational groups also have a separate group-booking process, while schools use the Museum’s education booking system.
A group tour works best when your party has a clear interest, such as dinosaurs, evolution, biodiversity or the Museum’s scientific research. It also gives visitors a structured route through a building with many galleries and collections.
Special Events and Exhibits
The Museum regularly runs ticketed temporary exhibitions alongside its free permanent galleries. As of October 1, 2026, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep is open, while the next Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition begins later in October.
Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep
Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep runs from 22 May 2026 to 3 January 2027. Entry slots are offered from 10:00 to 16:30 daily, and visitors usually spend about 40 minutes to one hour inside.
Adult tickets cost £15 off-peak or £17.50 at standard times. Children aged 4–17 cost £7.50 off-peak or £8.75 standard, while children aged three and younger enter free. Members also receive free exhibition entry.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition runs from 16 October 2026 to 11 July 2027 and features 100 images. Adult tickets cost £17 off-peak, £19 standard or £21 peak.
For children aged 4–17, prices are £8.50 off-peak, £9.50 standard or £10.50 peak. Children aged 0–3 enter free. Jobseekers, students and disabled adults pay £13.60 off-peak, £15.20 standard or £16.80 peak.
Educational Programs and Workshops
The Natural History Museum offers curriculum-linked learning for school groups from Early Years through Post-16. Activities range from fossil and evolution workshops to biodiversity sessions, science shows and garden-based learning.
School visits with activities must normally be booked at least three weeks in advance. The Museum’s school workshops and tours include programs such as Minibeast Hunt, Super Stegosaurus, Pond Dipping, Dino Dig, Evolution, Biodiversity in Action and LEGO-based science workshops.
Many activities target a specific age range or Key Stage, so teachers should choose a session that matches their pupils. Self-guided school visits are also available through a separate booking process.
Accessibility and Visitor Information
The Museum provides step-free routes, accessible toilets, seating and other support for disabled visitors. Most public areas are wheelchair accessible, although temporary lift outages can sometimes affect particular routes.
The Central Entrance has step-free access by ramp. The East Entrance itself is not step free, but a lift connects the entrance lobby with the galleries. Visitors can review the Museum’s current accessibility information before arriving.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Folding stools are also available. Assistance dogs are welcome in most parts of the Museum, although some restricted collection areas have different rules.
For paid exhibitions, a disabled visitor can book a free companion ticket. The Museum does not require ID or proof of disability for general access support.
Cloakrooms and Luggage
The Central Entrance cloakroom is intended for large bags and suitcases, while the East Entrance cloakroom can also accept coats. Large or wheeled suitcases cannot be carried around the Museum and must be left in a cloakroom, subject to space.
As of October 2026, the listed cloakroom charges are £3 for an umbrella, £4 for a coat, £5 for a bag under 4 kg, £6 for a bag over 4 kg, £5 for a folded bike, £3 for a scooter and £5 for a pushchair. Members can use the cloakrooms free of charge.
Dining and Shopping Options
You can eat inside the Museum without leaving the building. The site has several cafes and restaurants serving hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, drinks and children’s options, with vegetarian and vegan choices also available.
You may also bring your own food. The Museum has an indoor Picnic Area, although during school term time it is reserved for school groups on weekdays from 11:00 to 14:00. The gardens provide another option for eating outside when conditions are suitable.
Gift shops sell books, educational toys, dinosaur-themed products, prints and nature-inspired gifts. Purchases support the Museum’s work. Members receive discounts in Museum shops and cafes.
Membership for Frequent Visitors
Membership can make sense if you expect to visit paid exhibitions several times or want priority entry. Members can skip the general entrance queue without booking, receive unlimited entry to ticketed exhibitions and use the members-only Anning Rooms.
The current membership options include adult, joint, family and concession plans.
| Membership | Monthly plan | Up-front Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|
| One adult | £6 per month, £72 total | £62 per year |
| Two adults | £7 per month, £84 total | £81 per year |
| One-adult family | £6 per month, £72 total | £68 per year |
| Two-adult family | £8 per month, £96 total | £87 per year |
| Concession | £5 per month, £60 total | £50 per year |
Family memberships include up to four children under 17. Concession memberships are offered to disabled adults, full-time students aged 17 or older and visitors over 60.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Behind-the-scenes tours provide access to collections that are not part of the normal gallery visit. The main public option currently listed by the Museum is the Spirit Collection tour in the Darwin Centre.
The Behind the Scenes: Spirit Collection Tour lasts 45 minutes and is priced at £35, or £28 for members. It explores part of the Museum’s zoology collection stored in spirit, including specimens collected by Charles Darwin and the giant squid known as Archie.
The tour is restricted to visitors aged 10 and older, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Because of chemical smells in the tank room, the Museum states that the tour is not suitable for pregnant visitors. Bags are not allowed on the tour, although cloakroom use is included with the ticket.
When checked on October 1, 2026, the official tour page said that no dates or times were currently available. This means the experience may appear only on selected dates rather than being bookable every day.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
A little planning can help you spend more time in the galleries and less time waiting. The Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30, but there are several important closure dates.
In 2026, the South Kensington Museum is closed on Friday, October 9 for a charity gala. It is also closed each year from December 24 to December 26.
Book Free Entry Before Busy Visits
Weekends and school holidays can produce entrance queues. A free general-admission booking guarantees entry and lets ticket holders use the ticketed arrival process rather than relying on the walk-in queue.
Choose Your Priority Galleries First
The Museum contains far more than dinosaurs. Major attractions include Hintze Hall, the Dinosaurs Gallery, Mammals Hall, minerals, human evolution, fossil marine reptiles and the outdoor gardens.
If you only have a few hours, choose the exhibits that matter most to you before arriving. Families may want to start with dinosaurs and mammals, while visitors interested in Earth science can focus on fossils, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes.
Allow Extra Time for a Paid Exhibition
A temporary exhibition adds time to a general Museum visit. Jurassic Oceans alone usually takes about 40 minutes to one hour, so avoid scheduling a paid exhibition too close to closing time.
Pro Tip: If you have a timed exhibition or tour ticket, build the rest of your gallery route around that fixed time. You can then explore free galleries before or after without repeatedly crossing the building.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The most important thing to know about Natural History Museum tickets is that you do not have to pay to explore the permanent galleries. Book free general admission ahead for a smoother arrival, then buy a separate ticket only if you want a temporary exhibition, guided tour or special event.
For an October 2026 visit, Jurassic Oceans is already open, while Wildlife Photographer of the Year begins on October 16. Also remember the one-day Museum closure on October 9 when choosing your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is entry to the Natural History Museum in London free?
Yes. General admission to the Natural History Museum’s permanent galleries in South Kensington is free for adults and children. Some temporary exhibitions, tours and events have separate charges.
Do I need to book Natural History Museum tickets in advance?
Advance booking is not always required for general admission, but it is recommended. A free timed ticket guarantees entry and can help you avoid the longer walk-in queue during weekends and school holidays.
How much are Jurassic Oceans tickets?
Adult Jurassic Oceans tickets cost £15 off-peak or £17.50 standard as of October 2026. Children aged 4–17 cost £7.50 off-peak or £8.75 standard, while children aged 0–3 and Museum members enter the exhibition free.
What are the Natural History Museum opening hours?
The South Kensington Museum is normally open daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30. It is closed on October 9, 2026 for a charity gala and is also closed from December 24 to December 26.
What guided tours are available at the Natural History Museum?
The Museum lists several guided experiences, including the Museum Highlights Tour and Behind the Scenes: Spirit Collection Tour. Tour dates vary, and the official pages showed no currently bookable dates for those two tours when checked on October 1, 2026.
Are there discounts for paid exhibitions?
Yes. Paid exhibitions can offer reduced prices for children, students, jobseekers, disabled visitors and Art Fund members, while a disabled person’s companion can receive free entry. The exact amount depends on the exhibition and whether the visit is off-peak, standard or peak.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history and significance of natural history museums, be sure to check out the article about the importance of these institutions on Tagline Today. It explains how natural history museums support public education and preserve collections that help people understand biodiversity and the natural world.
Sources
- Natural History Museum visitor information: free general admission, opening hours, booking guidance and the October 9, 2026 closure.
- Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep: exhibition dates, ticket prices, visitor time and accessibility details.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year: 2026–2027 dates and peak, standard and off-peak ticket prices.
- Museum Highlights Tour: tour duration, ticket price, route and accessibility.
- Behind the Scenes: Spirit Collection Tour: price, duration, age restrictions, safety information and current availability.
- Accessibility at South Kensington: step-free routes, wheelchair provision, companion tickets and cloakroom charges.
- Natural History Museum membership: membership prices and visitor benefits.
- School workshops and tours: educational activities, age ranges and booking requirements.
