How to Beat the Crowds at the Natural History Museum, London
London's Natural History Museum is free. Book a free timed slot online for busy times, as walk-up queues can reach 30-45 minutes on peak Saturdays. It's open 10 am to 5:50 pm daily. Arrive at 10 am, go straight to the Dinosaurs gallery, and avoid weekends and school holidays if you can.
- Entry
- Free
- Booking
- Free timed slots recommended at busy times
- Hours
- 10 am to 5:50 pm, last entry 5:30 pm
- Closed
- 24-26 December
- Must see
- Dinosaurs, Hintze Hall's blue whale, Earth Galleries
- Best time
- 10 am on a weekday in term time
- Time to allow
- 2-3 hours
How busy is the Natural History Museum?
The NHM is one of London's busiest museums, especially on weekends, rainy days and school holidays. The Dinosaurs gallery has a one-way walkway that gets very slow, and the Cromwell Road entrance has long queues.
Before you go, check how busy the Natural History Museum is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for UK school holidays, weather and events.
Check today’s crowds at Natural History Museum →Best (and worst) times to go
- 10 am on a term-time weekday: an easy Dinosaurs gallery.
- After 3 pm: families and school groups leave.
- Worst: rainy weekends and half-term.
Our hourly forecast for the Natural History Museum shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Natural History Museum →