Natural History Museum

The thing I most looked forward to when visiting London, was going to the Natural History Museum! When we were in the queue, I was jumping up and down like a kid going to Disneyland. =) 

 

So here is the building, it is a beautiful building and when it gets darker blue lights light the building up. Alfred Waterhouse was the architect that designed the Waterhouse building, it was opened to the public on 18th April, 1881. The site chosen for this building was originally home to the 1862 International Exhibition building, once described as the' ugliest buildings ever raised in England', for more information on the history of this building go to: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/history-architecture/

When you enter the building you are greeted by Dippy the Diplodocus. Who lights up!! 

Surrounding Dippy is several display cases with special fossils and creatures. Off the central hall is corridors to different sections of the museum. The only one we didn't get chance to see was the dinosaur section, as we didn't have time to wait in the queue..ah well a reason to go back! I had 4 favorites, these aren't in order.

1. Darwin Centre - A huge egg shaped dome which collections are kept in. When walking through the dome you get some sneak peaks into the book collections (amazing!) and bug collections are shown throughout. 

2. Hummingbird display, it was amazing! There must have been nearly 100 birds in one display case surrounding a tree. It was incredible to see. 

3. The Treasures in the Cadogan Gallery, this the room with very special artifacts that the museum allows visitors to see, it include the fossil of Archaeopteryx, the first discovered link between birds and dinosaurs. Along with some of Darwin's writings. 

4. The marine mammal section, the wall was filled with so many fossils it was just awe-inspiring to see them all. 

Marine Mammal Wall

Hummingbird Display

Close up of hummingbirds

The Great Auk in foreground and in the background is the skeleton of a  Dodo

Archaeopteryx fossil

1st ed. of Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

For anyone who has even the slightest interest in natural history you should go and visit this museum, a warning though if you get there early, visit the dinosaur section first! Before it becomes packed. But overall a really good day, oh and if you have kids there is plenty of things for them to do. A great way to learn. Just one final shot of Darwin himself.