The Natural History Museum is a cathedral to nature, housed in Alfred Waterhouse's terracotta dream. In Hintze Hall, a 25-metre blue whale called Hope sweeps overhead, replacing the beloved Diplodocus cast to spotlight ocean conservation. Nearby, dinosaurs roar for children and fossil lovers alike, while minerals and meteorites shimmer with Earth's geology. The Darwin Centre's eight-storey Cocoon reveals how scientists actually work, storing millions of specimens for future research. It's free to enter; book a timed ticket in peak months. Map your visit by colour-zoned wings-Blue for life, Red for Earth, Green for birds and ecology-and start early if dinosaurs are a must. Bring water, take balcony views of Hope, and allow two to three unhurried hours.
