The Natural History Museum is home to many rare and exceptional natural wonders – but the magnificent Museum building is itself one of London’s most iconic attractions. Envisioned by Alfred Waterhouse as a cathedral of nature, the building he created is one of Britain’s most striking examples of Romanesque architecture and is considered a work of art in its own right. This picture-led exploration of the building celebrates Waterhouse’s unique architectural accomplishment and showcases many of the artistic gems it houses; not least it’s incredibly detailed engravings, sculptures and painted ceiling.
With more than 80 million specimens, the scope of the Museum’s collections is simply vast including the ill-fated dodo, dazzling diamonds and a full-size blue whale model. The Library of the Museum holds half a million artworks, comprising one of Britain’s biggest art collections, and over one million books, including rare, richly illustrated antique volumes.