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Natural History Museum, London

Natural History Museum, London In the face of a , we're working to create a future where both people & planet thrive.

Book a free ticket or become a Member for guaranteed entry: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit.html

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Operating as usual

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to s...
31/12/2022

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

One visitor has a very special connection to the Museum. She told us it's among her 5 most special places on the planet, and that the Cavensite in the geology display was from her late uncle's mines. Every time she comes to the UK, she visits the Museum to honour his work.

What a lovely story and one we are so glad she shared with us.

Check out these images from her trip!

If you can fly away to a warmer place, why wouldn’t you? Swallows do just this, spending their summers in the UK and the...
30/12/2022
Where do animals go during the long, cold, dark winter?

If you can fly away to a warmer place, why wouldn’t you? Swallows do just this, spending their summers in the UK and then packing up and flying south when it starts to get cold.

Winter is a challenging period for some of the UK's wildlife, especially for those that are small. Food is scarce, temperatures are low and animals need to conserve their energy to survive.

Not all animals hunker down. Some grow a dense winter coat, others migrate to warmer climes where food is easier to find and the odd few even shrink their bodies to get through the leaner months.

If the long winter nights make you want to sleep forever, curl up or head somewhere warmer, you're not alone. Winter is a time where most animals conserve their energy, fly south or grow a thicker coat.

If you have a ticket to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year then you can also come and visit the Anning Rooms’ Members...
28/12/2022

If you have a ticket to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year then you can also come and visit the Anning Rooms’ Members’ suite which is tucked away at the top of Hintze Hall.

Enjoy the views across London and a Members’ 20% discount on all food and drink, just look out for our leaflets at the exhibition desk 👀

https://bit.ly/3VsSfCo

Thousands of starlings from colder European countries migrate to the UK in September and October looking for food and wa...
27/12/2022
How to spot a starling murmuration this winter

Thousands of starlings from colder European countries migrate to the UK in September and October looking for food and warmer weather. At sunset, these super flocks take to the sky to swoop and swirl into spheres, planes and waves. The phenomenon is called a murmuration.

Where in the UK have you spotted a starling murmuration?

Flocks of starlings form ever-changing, mesmerising aerial displays in autumn and winter.

Did you know that over 30 species of plants and animals are named for Christmas Day?These include animals such as the Ch...
26/12/2022
Christmas species: The festive flora and fauna which need our help

Did you know that over 30 species of plants and animals are named for Christmas Day?

These include animals such as the Christmas Island red crab and the Christmas darter. However, a lot of these species are often overshadowed by robins and reindeer, who tend to rule the festive roost.

Show these other festive favourites some appreciation and find out more. You never know, it may help you out in a Christmas quiz or two!
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/christmas-animals-plants-festive-species-december.html

Over 30 species globally are named for Christmas Day, recognising their bright colours, place of origin or reproductive cycle.

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at the Natural History Museum! 🎄
25/12/2022

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at the Natural History Museum! 🎄

 in 1965, it wasn't Santa's sleigh that residents of Barwell would have seen flying across the sky on Christmas Eve, it ...
24/12/2022
Mystery of the Barwell meteorite

in 1965, it wasn't Santa's sleigh that residents of Barwell would have seen flying across the sky on Christmas Eve, it was something much more mysterious.

A meteorite the size of a Christmas turkey broke up over the Leicestershire village - it still remains the biggest meteorite fall observed in Britain.

The intriguing thing was that, when cut open, they found a pebble made of material that came from a completely different asteriod. What's more, the pebble came from a body that was thought to have formed after the body that had created the outside of the meteorite.

Discover the rest of this mysterious meteorite's story https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mystery-of-the-barwell-meteorite.html?utm_source=tw-20151224&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=general

Discover how a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite fragment in the Museum's collection hid a secret about our solar system.

Ever wondered how our female scientists got started in their careers?In celebration of the Natural History Museum X Joan...
22/12/2022
Natural History Museum X Joanie: Q&A with Zoe Hughes, Senior Curator of Brachiopods and Fossil Cephalopods

Ever wondered how our female scientists got started in their careers?

In celebration of the Natural History Museum X Joanie Clothing collection, we’re sitting down with some of our female scientists to find out why they decided to do the work they do, and how their careers have developed so far.

Our second post is with Zoe Hughes, Senior Curator of Brachiopods and Fossil Cephalopods 👇

nhmlondon.org/NHMxJoanie22

(If you missed our first post in this series with Robin Hansen you can find out more about that here nhmlondon.org/NHMxJoanie1)

We're talking to Zoe Hughes, Senior Curator of Brachiopods and Fossil Cephalopods, to celebrate the NHM X Joanie collection!

The winter solstice is here!It may seem bleak, but there is one plant that's thriving this time of year that might lift ...
21/12/2022

The winter solstice is here!

It may seem bleak, but there is one plant that's thriving this time of year that might lift your spirits and get you in the Christmassy mood - mistletoe!

Interesting fact: Mistletoe was once believed to symbolise new life at the winter solstice. (It makes sense given they look fresh and green on the otherwise bare, wintry branches.)

Mistletoe is an evergreen, semi-parasitic plant which absorbs water and nutrients from host trees - but don't worry, it causes the tree no harm when kept under control.

The seeds are spread by several bird species, including the mistle thrush. They eat the berries, and the excreted seeds, which are pretty sticky, attach to tree branches where the seeds can germinate.

One of the best places to see mistletoe growing in the wild is at Hampton Court Palace where it has been recorded for over 200 years.

Do you have any mistletoe hanging in your house at Christmas?

It's the shortest day of the year - or the Winter Solstice. ☃️Read our recommendations on the best things to do includin...
21/12/2022
15 things to do this winter for adults

It's the shortest day of the year - or the Winter Solstice. ☃️

Read our recommendations on the best things to do including:
🎊: ringing in 2023 under the whale
🦏: come face-to-face with extinction
🦕: saying so long to a very long dinosaur
Read the full list here:

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/things-to-do-winter-adults.html?utm_source=fb-link-post-20221221-js&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=visit

Warm up this winter with ideas to while away the shorter days.

"Do you want to make more eco-friendly choices this Christmas? 🎄Here are our top 3 tips to get you started:Tip 1: Make a...
20/12/2022

"Do you want to make more eco-friendly choices this Christmas? 🎄

Here are our top 3 tips to get you started:

Tip 1: Make a natural Christmas wreath.

Making a Christmas wreath is a fun activity and can make your door look welcomingly festive. But many methods suggest using non-biodegradable and single use materials. Instead, make a wreath that is just as wintry, but can be composted at the end of the season!

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajf6a74KRUg&list=TLGGmMQI8cyrMQIxMjEyMjAyMg

Tip 2: Eco-wrap presents

Although wrapping paper, tape and gift cards all make your presents stand out under the tree, they often contain non-biodegradable plastics like glitter. But we have a more eco-friendly way you can wrap your gifts, while still ensuring they look pretty under the tree.

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JMIVTGa7KI&list=TLGGDNALPprZjPYxMjEyMjAyMg

Tip 3: Make a plastic-free Christmas garland

Lots of Christmas decorations use plastic, so if you're looking for a way to reduce plastic this year, but still want to make your house look festive, this can be a great alternative. It's simple, fun and a great Christmas activity.

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4PGOGGVH5o&list=TLGGiP5hryZGc6gxMjEyMjAyMg

Which one will you try?

‘While I think we’re on a devastating and irreversible path, we must create stories to inspire people to think about wha...
18/12/2022

‘While I think we’re on a devastating and irreversible path, we must create stories to inspire people to think about what matters and to enable agency for change.’

With our new, free art installation The Lost Rhino now open, we interviewed the artist behind it, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg about her work as an artist, curating our display and her feelings on museums and archives.

Ginsberg is the artist behind The Substitute, the digital art installation at the centre of our new exhibition The Lost Rhino.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-is-alexandra-daisy-ginsberg.html?utm_source=fb-link-post-20221218-js&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=the-lost-rhino

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to s...
18/12/2022

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

Anna took some stunning pictures of the museum and told us a little bit about her visit. She said "It was great. It was my first time in London and I've never been so delighted. The main entrance is very impressive".

We're so glad we could be part of making her first visit to London so wonderful. Check her out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizjaskarbie/

What's your favourite part of the museum?

One million visitors have been to see Dippy! 🎉🦕If you haven’t said hello to our very own dino-star, book your free ticke...
17/12/2022

One million visitors have been to see Dippy! 🎉🦕

If you haven’t said hello to our very own dino-star, book your free ticket before 2 Jan 👉 https://nhmlondon.org/Dippy-One-Million

16/12/2022

Would you like to come face-to-face with a rhino? 🦏

Well, now you can! Book a free ticket to the Museum to visit our brand new art installation and watch as a northern white rhino is digitally brought back to life.

The Lost Rhino: An Art Installation by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. Now open. nhmlondon.org/thelostrhinoopen

15/12/2022

This New Year's Eve we're going to be celebrating with our biggest party of the year.

Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss your chance to snap up the last few!

Will we see you there?

nhmlondon.org/NYE2022

What's more Christmassy than wishing on a shooting star?On 14th December, you may be able to wish on over 100 per hour! ...
13/12/2022

What's more Christmassy than wishing on a shooting star?

On 14th December, you may be able to wish on over 100 per hour! Though in fact, what you'd actually be wishing on, are meteors from the trail of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

Meteors are often called shooting stars, but the bright streaks you see in the sky are actually tiny particles of dust vapourising in the Earth's atmosphere.

So if you can brave the cold, wrap up warm and head out to look at the night sky, and you may be able to see this dazzling display as it reaches its peak - expect displays of more than 100 multicoloured meteors per hour.

It's best to find somewhere away from light pollution, such as a beach or hill in the middle of the countryside, but some of the more spectacular displays can sometimes be visible even from central London.

However, if the weather is against you, or you can't get away from the city, you can always watch it live here: https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/live/#/

Who will be watching?

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to s...
11/12/2022

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

This family had a fab visit to the museum and the mum told us all about it. She said she had been dying to take her boys to the museum - she already had fond memories of visiting when she was a child in primary school when she came on a school trip with her mum. Therefore, when they came to visit the UK, the museum had to be their first stop.

She said "I remember standing on the balcony looking at the whale. It was so magical and the boys felt the same." Her boys also absolutely loved the dinosaur exhibition - they thought it was the best bit... and the robotic T-Rex and Dippy too of course! They said it was an amazing place and they had a great family day out.

We're so happy it brought back great memories for her and that she could share them with her children. We hope her boys were also able to make their own happy memories that will stay with them too.

Do you have any special memories of the museum?

During the school holidays, delve into the Jurassic and meet the modern-day relatives of the animals that lived alongsid...
10/12/2022

During the school holidays, delve into the Jurassic and meet the modern-day relatives of the animals that lived alongside .

Meet incredible creatures such as snakes, lizards and tarantulas and learn more about them in this 45-minute ethical experience.

It's the perfect addition to your visit this Christmas holiday. 👇

nhmlondon.org/JurassicEncountersXmas

It's what you've all been waiting for!Twin with our T. rex with your very own Christmas jumper just like his 🦖.This , he...
08/12/2022

It's what you've all been waiting for!

Twin with our T. rex with your very own Christmas jumper just like his 🦖.

This , head to our online shop so you can be as stylish as a T. rex - go on, we know you want to 😉.

But if the jumper doesn't tickle your fancy, there's plenty more festive finds.

Check out our online shop, now open: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/christmas.html

Have you heard of the Grinch bugs who are here to steal your Christmas (tree)? 🎄Around 8 million conifer trees are cut d...
07/12/2022

Have you heard of the Grinch bugs who are here to steal your Christmas (tree)? 🎄

Around 8 million conifer trees are cut down to become the festive trees that brighten our homes, streets and offices at this time of year. But these trees are the lucky ones, saved from the Grinch-like insects that would have eaten them for dinner!

Gilpinia hercyniae, better known as the spruce sawfly, are pretty Grinch like. They have a reputation for decimating spruce tree plantations -one devastating outbreak in the Gaspé Peninsula in Canada stripped nearly 66% of spruce trees (or 40 million cubic metres) in the region.

Another Grinchy bug is the Sirex noctillio woodwasp. They inject a venomous cocktail of toxins, as well as a symbiotic fungus, into pine trees, eventually killing them. Woodwasps are capable of devastating pine plantations but thankfully they can't sting people as their ovipositors are specially adapted for pine bark.

Nevertheless, there's no need to worry about these little bugs ruining your Christmas - they are nowhere to be found in chilly weather and are safely ensconced by the time carols are playing in shops ❄️.

For a limited time only, we're giving our Members a 25% discount on everything in our shops, so it's the perfect time to...
06/12/2022

For a limited time only, we're giving our Members a 25% discount on everything in our shops, so it's the perfect time to pick up your Christmas gifts from our exclusive dinosaur edition of Guess Who? to our carbon-negative Discovery Gin. 🎁

Just show your Membership card in store or apply the discount code from your last newsletter. http://bit.ly/3Y22MH5

Ever found a new species in your office drawer or had a dinosaur turn up on your doorstep? 🤷 It's all in a day's work fo...
05/12/2022
Member Talk: 365 Days of Discovery | Natural History Museum

Ever found a new species in your office drawer or had a dinosaur turn up on your doorstep? 🤷 It's all in a day's work for our scientists! Each year they identify and describe around 500 new species.

Members can join us next Tuesday for our talk ‘365 Days of Discovery’ as we find out what extraordinary finds our scientists have made this year and challenge them to pick their favourite, both in terms of scientific importance and astonishing back story.

http://bit.ly/3F43aMW

Ever found a new species in your office drawer or had a dinosaur turn up on your doorstep?

It's !What do you think we can do to continue to help nature thrive? 🌻Wildlife conservation is one way we can do this an...
04/12/2022

It's !

What do you think we can do to continue to help nature thrive? 🌻

Wildlife conservation is one way we can do this and there are many conservation success stories!

Here are 3 beautiful species that have been pulled back from the brink of extinction:

1. Sea otter - sea otters don't have blubber to keep them warm, instead having extremely thick fur - the densest in the animal kingdom. This fur meant they were extensively hunted in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, bans on hunting, conservation efforts and reintroduction programmes have meant that sea otters now occupy two thirds of their former range.

2. Peregrine falcon - these birds dive bomb their prey at more than 320 km/hr, making them the fastest animal in the world. They became endangered in the 1970s due to pesticides in their diet. However, with the banning of the DDT pesticide in the US, captive breeding programmes and large-scale protection of nesting places, they were saved from extinction.

3. Mallorcan midwife toad - these toads raise their young in a strange way - females lay a string of eggs and males then tie these around their legs and carry them until they are ready to hatch. Once thought to be extinct, they were rediscovered in Mallorca and conservation actions have helped increase their numbers and distribution.

Do you need some indoor activity inspiration and want to make your home look festive for the Christmas season? 🎄We've go...
03/12/2022
How to make a polar bear snowflake

Do you need some indoor activity inspiration and want to make your home look festive for the Christmas season? 🎄

We've got the perfect idea!

Why not hunker down in the living room, grab your favourite cosy drink and try your hand at making some paper snowflakes using our nature inspired snowflake designs. ❄️

All you'll need is a ruler, scissors, A4 paper, Blu-Tack and something to hang them up with - simple, fun and festive!

Follow our instructions to make a polar bear paper snowflake. We have 10 free natural history inspired templates for you to download and print.

03/12/2022
Plan your visit

🎵 ‘Tis the month of December when in the Museum, festivities are stirring if you know where to see ‘em. 🎵

There’s something for everyone this season and we can’t wait to see you, so book your free ticket to find out what we’ve got in store! 🎄❄️🎁👇

nhmlondon.org/FreeChristmasVisit

02/12/2022

There’s less than one week left to enter the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition.

Share your images with the world and you could win up to £10,000.

This competition is open to all, most importantly we’re looking for impactful stories about the natural world.

Will your entry be part of this year’s competition?

nhmlondon.org/CallForEntriesWPY22

01/12/2022

Nothing can Tricera-top these gifts. 🎁

You’ll find something for every dino fan this Christmas in-store at the Museum shop. 🎄

Will you be paying us a visit in December?

It’s National Tree Week, a chance to celebrate our trees and start the winter planting season. If trees are extra specia...
30/11/2022

It’s National Tree Week, a chance to celebrate our trees and start the winter planting season. If trees are extra special for you, then why not choose a holly, oak or hazel engraving when donating to the Urban Nature Project? We'll engrave your illustration alongside a name in our new gardens.

http://bit.ly/3VwOoEP

29/11/2022

Are you wondering how our animatronic T. rex got dressed for the winter season? 🦖

Take a look below at how we helped our T. rex fit into its Christmas jumper. 🎄

Pick up your own jumper from our shop when you visit us this season ❄️

📢 COMING SOON - Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur, our new exhibition opening 31 Mar! On display for the first ti...
28/11/2022

📢 COMING SOON - Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur, our new exhibition opening 31 Mar! On display for the first time ever in Europe, step into the larger-than-life world of the colossal Patagotitan mayorum, one of the largest creatures ever to have walked the Earth.

Walk beneath this towering titanosaur, touch a cast of its skull and see how you measure up to this extraordinary sauropod.

Book your ticket to meet titanosaur 👇
https://nhmlondon.org/Titanosaur

27/11/2022

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

One of our visitors created this lovely video of her time at the museum. She loved it so much that...well, you can watch and find out.

She told us "I fully nerded out. It has always been my favourite museum. And your disabled access was pretty amazng!"

We love it that people fully nerd out at the museum and we always want to ensure that everyone can come and enjoy the experience.

What do you love about the museum?

Do you love hedgehogs?Sadly, you might spot them a little less in the winter while they hibernate, so here are some fasc...
26/11/2022

Do you love hedgehogs?

Sadly, you might spot them a little less in the winter while they hibernate, so here are some fascinating facts to keep you going before they return in the spring:

1. Hedgehogs are the UK’s only spiny mammal – they have several thousand spines along their back.

2. Hedgehogs are omnivores – they eat whatever they can get into their mouths – slugs, millipedes, earthworms and other insects, as well as fruits and mushrooms. You can help them when food becomes scarce by leaving out dog or cat food, but make sure you don’t do this too often as hedgehogs shouldn’t become reliant on it.

3. Hedgehogs are nocturnal – they travel one to two kilometres per night and often use the same daytime nest for only a few days. To help hedgehogs move freely through gardens, you could install hedgehog holes in the base of your fence and encourage neighbours to do the same.

4. Hedgehogs have distinct five-toed footprints with sharp claws - a homemade footprint tunnel could help you identify if they’re coming into your garden.

Entries for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition close very soon!Whether you’re a camera phone whizz o...
25/11/2022

Entries for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition close very soon!

Whether you’re a camera phone whizz or a professional photographer we want to see your perspective on nature as told through photography.

The competition is open to all ages, experience levels and locations.

Don’t forget to complete your application by 11.30 (GMT) on 8 December 2022: nhmlondon.org/WPY59CFE

Tag someone in the comments if they’re yet to enter!

Our animatronic T. rex is getting ready for the festive season, thanks to British Christmas Jumpers Featuring a dino-mit...
23/11/2022

Our animatronic T. rex is getting ready for the festive season, thanks to British Christmas Jumpers

Featuring a dino-mite print, this year’s Christmas jumper is made in the UK from 100% recycled materials.

Tell us what you think of this year’s jumper in the comments 💬 👇

And if a certain Santa Claws wants to bring you a jumper to match, come and pick one up from our Museum shop when you visit us this Christmas. 🎁🎄

Want to dive deeper into the images featured in Wildlife Photographer of the Year ?Get behind the lens of some of the wo...
22/11/2022

Want to dive deeper into the images featured in Wildlife Photographer of the Year ?

Get behind the lens of some of the world's best wildlife photographers with a new out-of-hours exhibition tour. Learn more about the stories and impact of some of this year’s images and then explore the exhibition at your own pace.

Exhibition admission included.

Book your tickets: https://nhmlondon.org/WPY58-22-Nov

From whales to bumblebees, follow the Big Adventure trail to journey around the Museum and meet some of the amazing livi...
22/11/2022

From whales to bumblebees, follow the Big Adventure trail to journey around the Museum and meet some of the amazing living things that we share our planet with. A secret code will be revealed with each step solved, crack it and you can get a prize! 🕵️

https://bit.ly/3V54Ook

There are just a few weeks left to see Dippy Returns: The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur. 🦕Book your free ticket for guaran...
21/11/2022
Dippy Returns: The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur | Natural History Museum

There are just a few weeks left to see Dippy Returns: The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur. 🦕

Book your free ticket for guaranteed entry over the festive period and come say hello to this Jurassic giant with your friends and family before 2 Jan! 👇
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/dippy-returns.html?utm_source=fb-link-post-20221121-gr&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dippy

Dippy is back for a short visit until 2 January 2023. Experience Dippy's memories of nature throughout the UK and see how different communities are connecting with it.

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to s...
20/11/2022

We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

The Hendy family sent us a lovely message about their day out to the Museum. They told us they had an amazing time. "My boy loved the snakes, crocodiles and reptiles, but he was scared of the dinosaurs, and my daughter loved the butterfly, bugs and all that section".

We love that they all had their favourite parts of the museum, and we have to give it to her son, the dinosaurs can be scary sometimes!

What are your favourite parts of the museum?

Address

Cromwell Road
London
SW75BD

We are within walking distance of South Kensington Underground station on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.Bus routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 340, 345, 360, 414 and C1 stop near us.See our website for details: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/getting-here.html

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5:50pm
Tuesday 10am - 5:50pm
Wednesday 10am - 5:50pm
Thursday 10am - 5:50pm
Friday 10am - 5:50pm
Saturday 10am - 5:50pm
Sunday 10am - 5:50pm

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Our Story

The Natural History Museum in London is a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre.

Early days

The Museum in South Kensington first opened its doors on 18 April 1881, but its origins stretch back much further to the generous offer of a renowned doctor, Sir Hans Sloane.

Sloane travelled the world treating royalty and members of high society, while fulfilling his passion for collecting natural history specimens and cultural artefacts along the way. After his death in 1753, the government agreed to purchase Sloane’s collection - for significantly less than its value - and built the British Museum so that it could be displayed to the public.


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We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

One visitor has a very special connection to the Museum. She told us it's among her 5 most special places on the planet, and that the Cavensite in the geology display was from her late uncle's mines. Every time she comes to the UK, she visits the Museum to honour his work.

What a lovely story and one we are so glad she shared with us.

Check out these images from her trip!
If you can fly away to a warmer place, why wouldn’t you? Swallows do just this, spending their summers in the UK and then packing up and flying south when it starts to get cold.

Winter is a challenging period for some of the UK's wildlife, especially for those that are small. Food is scarce, temperatures are low and animals need to conserve their energy to survive.

Not all animals hunker down. Some grow a dense winter coat, others migrate to warmer climes where food is easier to find and the odd few even shrink their bodies to get through the leaner months.
If you have a ticket to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year then you can also come and visit the Anning Rooms’ Members’ suite which is tucked away at the top of Hintze Hall.

Enjoy the views across London and a Members’ 20% discount on all food and drink, just look out for our leaflets at the exhibition desk 👀

https://bit.ly/3VsSfCo
Thousands of starlings from colder European countries migrate to the UK in September and October looking for food and warmer weather. At sunset, these super flocks take to the sky to swoop and swirl into spheres, planes and waves. The phenomenon is called a murmuration.

Where in the UK have you spotted a starling murmuration?
Did you know that over 30 species of plants and animals are named for Christmas Day?

These include animals such as the Christmas Island red crab and the Christmas darter. However, a lot of these species are often overshadowed by robins and reindeer, who tend to rule the festive roost.

Show these other festive favourites some appreciation and find out more. You never know, it may help you out in a Christmas quiz or two!
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/christmas-animals-plants-festive-species-december.html
🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at the Natural History Museum! 🎄
in 1965, it wasn't Santa's sleigh that residents of Barwell would have seen flying across the sky on Christmas Eve, it was something much more mysterious.

A meteorite the size of a Christmas turkey broke up over the Leicestershire village - it still remains the biggest meteorite fall observed in Britain.

The intriguing thing was that, when cut open, they found a pebble made of material that came from a completely different asteriod. What's more, the pebble came from a body that was thought to have formed after the body that had created the outside of the meteorite.

Discover the rest of this mysterious meteorite's story https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mystery-of-the-barwell-meteorite.html?utm_source=tw-20151224&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=general
Ever wondered how our female scientists got started in their careers?

In celebration of the Natural History Museum X Joanie Clothing collection, we’re sitting down with some of our female scientists to find out why they decided to do the work they do, and how their careers have developed so far.

Our second post is with Zoe Hughes, Senior Curator of Brachiopods and Fossil Cephalopods 👇

nhmlondon.org/NHMxJoanie22

(If you missed our first post in this series with Robin Hansen you can find out more about that here nhmlondon.org/NHMxJoanie1)

The winter solstice is here!

It may seem bleak, but there is one plant that's thriving this time of year that might lift your spirits and get you in the Christmassy mood - mistletoe!

Interesting fact: Mistletoe was once believed to symbolise new life at the winter solstice. (It makes sense given they look fresh and green on the otherwise bare, wintry branches.)

Mistletoe is an evergreen, semi-parasitic plant which absorbs water and nutrients from host trees - but don't worry, it causes the tree no harm when kept under control.

The seeds are spread by several bird species, including the mistle thrush. They eat the berries, and the excreted seeds, which are pretty sticky, attach to tree branches where the seeds can germinate.

One of the best places to see mistletoe growing in the wild is at Hampton Court Palace where it has been recorded for over 200 years.

Do you have any mistletoe hanging in your house at Christmas?
It's the shortest day of the year - or the Winter Solstice. ☃️

Read our recommendations on the best things to do including:
🎊: ringing in 2023 under the whale
🦏: come face-to-face with extinction
🦕: saying so long to a very long dinosaur
Read the full list here:

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/things-to-do-winter-adults.html?utm_source=fb-link-post-20221221-js&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=visit
"Do you want to make more eco-friendly choices this Christmas? 🎄

Here are our top 3 tips to get you started:

Tip 1: Make a natural Christmas wreath.

Making a Christmas wreath is a fun activity and can make your door look welcomingly festive. But many methods suggest using non-biodegradable and single use materials. Instead, make a wreath that is just as wintry, but can be composted at the end of the season!

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajf6a74KRUg&list=TLGGmMQI8cyrMQIxMjEyMjAyMg

Tip 2: Eco-wrap presents

Although wrapping paper, tape and gift cards all make your presents stand out under the tree, they often contain non-biodegradable plastics like glitter. But we have a more eco-friendly way you can wrap your gifts, while still ensuring they look pretty under the tree.

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JMIVTGa7KI&list=TLGGDNALPprZjPYxMjEyMjAyMg

Tip 3: Make a plastic-free Christmas garland

Lots of Christmas decorations use plastic, so if you're looking for a way to reduce plastic this year, but still want to make your house look festive, this can be a great alternative. It's simple, fun and a great Christmas activity.

Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4PGOGGVH5o&list=TLGGiP5hryZGc6gxMjEyMjAyMg

Which one will you try?
‘While I think we’re on a devastating and irreversible path, we must create stories to inspire people to think about what matters and to enable agency for change.’

With our new, free art installation The Lost Rhino now open, we interviewed the artist behind it, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg about her work as an artist, curating our display and her feelings on museums and archives.

Ginsberg is the artist behind The Substitute, the digital art installation at the centre of our new exhibition The Lost Rhino.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-is-alexandra-daisy-ginsberg.html?utm_source=fb-link-post-20221218-js&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=the-lost-rhino
We always love to hear how we have inspired, intrigued or helped create memorable experiences for you! Now, we want to share these stories! 😁

Anna took some stunning pictures of the museum and told us a little bit about her visit. She said "It was great. It was my first time in London and I've never been so delighted. The main entrance is very impressive".

We're so glad we could be part of making her first visit to London so wonderful. Check her out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizjaskarbie/

What's your favourite part of the museum?
One million visitors have been to see Dippy! 🎉🦕

If you haven’t said hello to our very own dino-star, book your free ticket before 2 Jan 👉 https://nhmlondon.org/Dippy-One-Million
Would you like to come face-to-face with a rhino? 🦏

Well, now you can! Book a free ticket to the Museum to visit our brand new art installation and watch as a northern white rhino is digitally brought back to life.

The Lost Rhino: An Art Installation by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. Now open. nhmlondon.org/thelostrhinoopen
This New Year's Eve we're going to be celebrating with our biggest party of the year.

Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss your chance to snap up the last few!

Will we see you there?

nhmlondon.org/NYE2022
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Other Museums in London (show all)

Londoni Természettudományi Múzeum Natural History Museum, London Muséum D'histoire Naturelle De Londres B.M.(N.H.) Museum d'histoire naturelle de Londres Victoria and Albert Museum V&A Museu Victoria e Albert Museu Vitória e Alberto Serpentine Gallery Kensington Palace The Saatchi Gallery Saatchi Gallery Palácio de Kensington Carlyle's House