The Natural History Museum is a major museum in South Kensington, London, with free galleries covering natural history. If you’re planning a visit from Kensington, you can use this guide to sort out the Tube approach, entry and practical facilities.
- Location: Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.
- Nearest Tube: South Kensington, about a five-minute walk from the Central Entrance.
- Typical opening hours: Open daily
- Admission: The galleries are free; booking a free general-admission ticket can help guarantee entry during busy periods.
Getting to the museum from Kensington
South Kensington is the nearest Tube station, and the museum has entrances on Cromwell Road, Exhibition Road and Queen’s Gate. From Kensington, you can plan your journey around the station and entrance that best suit your route.
Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains stop at South Kensington. From there, it’s about a five-minute walk to the Central Entrance via the East Gate, or to the East Entrance.
Gloucester Road is another option: it’s about a 12-minute walk to the Central Entrance or seven minutes to the West Entrance. Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains also stop at Gloucester Road.
The Central Entrance is on Cromwell Road, the East Entrance is on Exhibition Road, and the West Entrance is on Queen’s Gate. Check which entrance fits your plans, particularly if you need step-free access. For a Kensington base for your museum visit, compare where to stay near the Natural History Museum as you plan your route.
Read next: a local guide to High Street Kensington.
Planning time for the galleries
The Natural History Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:50, with last entry at 17:30. It closes on 24–26 December, so check the official site before you go for the details that may affect your visit.
There’s no single visit length that suits every itinerary: the museum’s visitor guide highlights jewels, dinosaur skeletons and taxidermy among the things to see.
A useful way to plan is to decide which galleries and objects matter most to your day, then leave time for moving between them. The museum also has gardens that are free to visit without a ticket; they are open daily except 24–26 December.
Read next: a walkable one-day itinerary in Kensington.
Admission, timed entry and exhibitions
General admission to the galleries is free. You can book a free general-admission ticket; the museum says booking can help guarantee entry and let you skip the queue during busy periods.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00–17:50
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Some temporary exhibitions and events may charge an admission fee, so check the official site before you go if you’re considering one. Exhibition arrangements and charges can differ from general admission.
Facilities and accessibility
The museum building is wheelchair accessible, with lifts and step-free access to most areas. The Central Entrance has a ramp, while the West Entrance has a lift that provides step-free access to the galleries. The East Entrance is not step-free, though a lift runs from its lobby to the galleries.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free from the cloakrooms. They are offered first come, first served and cannot be reserved. Wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are available, along with a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor of the North Wing.
Guide dogs are welcome, except in the Zoology Spirit Building in the West Wing. Other animals, including non-assistance dogs, are not allowed. Security officers may ask to search bags when you enter the museum, temporary exhibition spaces, after-hours events or private-hire events.
Large or wheeled suitcases cannot be taken around the museum and must be left in a cloakroom; availability is subject to space.
Listed cloakroom charges are £3 per umbrella, £4 per coat, £5 per bag under 4kg, £6 per bag over 4kg, £5 per folded bike, £3 per scooter and £5 per pushchair. Cafes, restaurants and gift shops are also available in the building.
FAQs
Is the Natural History Museum free?
The museum’s galleries are free to explore, and you can book a free general-admission ticket. Some temporary exhibitions and events may charge.
Which Tube station is closest to the Natural History Museum?
South Kensington is the nearest station, about a five-minute walk from the Central Entrance via the East Gate and from the East Entrance.
Which entrance has step-free access?
The Central Entrance has a ramp, and the West Entrance has a lift providing step-free access to the galleries. The East Entrance is not step-free, although its lobby has a lift to the galleries.
Can you visit the museum gardens without a ticket?
Yes. The gardens are free to visit without a ticket and are open daily except 24–26 December.