The Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, is set to open two long-closed galleries, allowing the public access to spaces that have remained unseen for decades. The Old General Herbarium, which has not been accessible since 1948, is scheduled to launch as a pop-up Hidden Histories gallery in 2026. Additionally, the Origins Gallery, closed since 2004, will be transformed into a Land and Air gallery before the museum’s 150th birthday in 2031.
Both galleries currently house a significant portion of the museum’s extensive behind-the-scenes collection, which totals an impressive 80 million specimens. The reopening will involve a complex logistical operation, including the relocation of millions of items, ranging from small beetles to ancient fossils. As noted in the Times, for every taxidermied animal on display, there are approximately 3,000 specimens stored away.
Next year, around 38 million specimens will be moved, with some relocated within the South Kensington building and others transported to the Thames Valley Science Park, a multimillion-pound research facility located near Reading. This ambitious project is overseen by Doug Gurr, the museum’s director since 2020. Gurr aims to modernize the museum by introducing “one new thing a year” leading up to 2031, the year of its anniversary.
The gallery reopenings are part of the NHM Unlocked programme, which has received government backing. This initiative aims to showcase more of the museum’s vast collections while establishing a scientific hub to address critical issues such as the climate crisis. As the Natural History Museum prepares for these significant changes, visitors can anticipate a richer experience that highlights the institution’s ongoing commitment to education and research.
For those planning to visit, the museum continues to update its offerings, ensuring that the rich history of natural sciences remains accessible to all. Further details about visiting the Natural History Museum can be found on their official website.
