This is simply one of the most important and largest collection of natural history in the world housed in one of the most distinctive buildings in London. The Museum has 70 million specimens that cover almost all groups of animals, plants, minerals, and fossils displayed in five main collections. The Museum originated as part of the British Museum. After 100 years of heated discussions the Museum began the process to become independent in 1963 which was finally achieved by a government act in 1992. It sits across a small street from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the Science Museum.

Admission to the permanent collection is free with occasional small fees for traveling exhibitions.