Bournemouth Natural Science Society

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Bournemouth Natural Science Society Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum is housed in a late Victorian building nr the Lansdowne

The home of the BNSS is a grand, late Victorian building located on the outskirts of Bournemouth town centre. It houses a fascinating museum of numerous collections, from Natural History to Egyptology, and two libraries holding over 5000 volumes. In addition, the BNSS boasts a marvellous garden aimed at encouraging wildlife in an urban environment. Since its formation in 1903, the BNSS has acquired many thousands of items collected from around the world. The museum not only cherishes a large menagerie of preserved natural history specimens, including birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, eggs and shells; but also collections of fossils, rocks and minerals, ancient hand axes and even an Egyptian mummy. The society itself has various interest groups which include Botany, Ornithology, Zoology, Entomology, Science, Astronomy, Geology, History, Egyptology and Archaeology. The BNSS runs an extensive programme of events, including lectures, study groups, field meetings, cultural visits and social events. Talks are given on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday afternoons.

The Museum is OPEN this weekend. Pop in to see our Silk & Spice Routes Exhibition, and so much more!Free Entry. Donation...
17/10/2026

The Museum is OPEN this weekend. Pop in to see our Silk & Spice Routes Exhibition, and so much more!
Free Entry. Donations please.

15/10/2026
Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum Open Days: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October 202610am-4pm, Last Entry 3:3...
10/10/2026

Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum Open Days: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October 2026
10am-4pm, Last Entry 3:30pm
FREE Admission, but please leave a donation

***BNSS Lecture: Bournemouth Goats***Mark Jackson, owner of the Bournemouth Goats, will talk about the care of the goats...
16/09/2026

***BNSS Lecture: Bournemouth Goats***
Mark Jackson, owner of the Bournemouth Goats, will talk about the care of the goats and what they do on Bournemouth cliff tops - their adventures and unique personalities.
***This talk is In House and Online***
Please email [email protected] for the link before 5pm on Thursday 24th September 2026.

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Our first tour of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week and National Heritage Open Days has kicked off to wonderful weather...
16/09/2026

Our first tour of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week and National Heritage Open Days has kicked off to wonderful weather.

13/09/2026

***BNSS Lecture: A Virtual Walk around Ventnor Botanic Gardens***Wayne Williams, Head Gardener at Ventnor Botanic Garden...
12/09/2026

***BNSS Lecture: A Virtual Walk around Ventnor Botanic Gardens***
Wayne Williams, Head Gardener at Ventnor Botanic Gardens, will show some of the highlights of this 22 acre frost free garden on the Isle of Wight known as "Britain's Hottest Garden". All of the plants have been selected to grow well in the 21st century. Many are heat and drought tolerant and grow in frost free climates.
***This talk is being held In House and Online***
For the link, please email [email protected] before 5pm on Monday 21st September 2026.


***Guided Tours of the BNSS building***Wednesday 16th September 2026 at 11am & 2pmBNSS Member Colin Lord will lead two 4...
06/09/2026

***Guided Tours of the BNSS building***
Wednesday 16th September 2026 at 11am & 2pm

BNSS Member Colin Lord will lead two 45-minute tours of the BNSS building. He will focus on the architecture and history of the house, both inside and outside the building. Visitors will have the opportunity to look at the collections after the tour. This event is part of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week and also Heritage Open Days, the latter being a national event.
For further information, please email [email protected]



Dorset Architectural Heritage Week

***BNSS Online Talk with Dr Geoffrey Mead***Tuesday 15th September 2026 from 7:30pmDr Mead will talk about the enormous ...
05/09/2026

***BNSS Online Talk with Dr Geoffrey Mead***
Tuesday 15th September 2026 from 7:30pm

Dr Mead will talk about the enormous growth in British suburban housing between the wars, but not all were Tudorbethan semis with clipped lawns and an Austin 7 in the drive. Many were what are now termed 'plotlands', but in the past harsher terms applied - hutments, track and shack or simply shanty towns. He casts a spotlight on this largely ignored aspect of our housing history but one with implications for present day and future UK landscapes.
***This talk is on Zoom only****
To request the link, please email [email protected]


Address

39 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
BH13NS

Opening Hours

10am - 4pm

Telephone

01202 553525

Website

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