If you have a healthy dose of curiosity and a love for natural history, this London museum is a must for your itinerary… and I don’t mean the Natural History Museum!
With floor to ceiling cabinets and some of the most impressive science specimens you’ll see in any museum, the Grant Museum of Zoology is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and discover some of the world’s extinct and rare animals.
I don’t often put a content warning on my posts, but if you have a weak stomach and don’t like looking at or hearing about taxidermy or dissections… this post, or this museum, isn’t for you.
Where Is The Grant Museum of Zoology, And WHAT Is It?
Located just a 15-minute walk from Russell Square, The Grant Museum of Zoology, is dedicated to the preservation and research of the animal kingdom.
The Grant Museum is one of the oldest Natural History collections in the UK, despite being overshadowed by the nearby British History Museum and Natural History Museum.
With over 68,000 zoological specimens, a trip to this museum is like looking through a window into the whole animal kingdom.
The collection was started in 1827 by Robert Edmond Grant as an educational aid for the newly opened University of London and is still used today by students and researchers from all across the country.
The closest station is Euston Square on the circular line, from here it’s just a 10-minute walk around the corner. After you’ve visited the museum, there are plenty of parks and other attractions nearby too!
How Much Is It?
Like most museums in London, The Grant Museum Of Zoology is free to enter. However, there is a donation box at the entrance which goes towards its maintenance.
Picture by Josefine
Our Experience
When we stepped through the doors we were surprised at how small it was, but also by how much there was to see.
Straight away we were greeted with huge magnificent antlers and displays of insects, each one labelled with both its Latin and English name, but also with the person’s name who had chosen to sponsor that particular specimen; this museum relies completely on donations, and public sponsorship – so not only can you visit, you could potentially own your very own little piece of it too.
As we worked our way through the displays, I was increasingly amazed by the animals they had. Lots of which; I hadn’t even heard about or seen before… and that’s coming from someone who grew up obsessed with David Attenbourough and wildlife in general.
I won’t go into too much detail about the rarities we saw, that would ruin the surprise, right? But let’s just say there are some pretty cool extinct specimens that you won’t see anywhere else in London.
One of the main displays that Dec was particularly taken with was the huge Mammoth’s skull, and getting close enough to be able to compare your own head size to a genuine specimen is a rarity for museums!
It also shows you a unique look into the anatomy side of things with several of the specimen being displayed dissected – We have to remember animal dissection is a huge part of the learning process for Zoologists and Biologists alike, so the fact that these specimen then get to continue their teaching in these displays instead of simply being thrown away is amazing.
Picture by Josefine
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the work that the team does there is remarkable.
It’s also a place that’s often quiet and void of tourists – having not yet been listed as one of the top 10 attractions in London on TripAdvisor.
Neither is it on a busy road, so people don’t pass it often. So if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to spend an hour or two; this is the place for you!
I promise if you’re a lover of nature this place offers a unique insight into the natural world that very few others can. It might not be as big and grand as the Natural History Museum – but good things come in small packages.
So next time you travel to London, give it a try, it might surprise and inspire you!
