Things to do in South East England, England: The Best Natural History Museums

Dinosaur Expeditions C.I.C. is a Community Interest Company created by local fossil enthusiasts. We promote responsible fossil discovery and conservation in addition to helping the public understanding of fossils and the palaeo-environment through Palaeoart. To do this we have established the 'Dinosaur Expeditions, Conservation and Palaeoart Centre' at the site of the Dinosaur Farm Museum. It houses displays of fossils, locally produced palaeoart, childrens' activities and a fossil & mineral giftshop.We also organise popular fossil hunting trips throughout the year at a variety of locations on the Isle of Wight, led by our experienced professional guides. Dinosaur Expeditions CIC pools the local knowledge, talents and experience of our Fossil Hunt leaders. This helps to ensure that we can provide a professional quality experience for all our customers. Are you mad about Dinosaurs and other fossils? We are, so why not join us on an amazing Fossil Hunting Adventure! Discover your own fossils and keep all your finds.

Visit Kraft Village includes High Wycombe Chair Making Museum CIC. Robert Bishop trading as Kraftinwood and his wife Christina successfully opened Kraft Village on the 18th June 2016. It includes a spacious woodturning workshop, artists studios, large contemporary art gallery, craft gift shop as well as the chair making museum. Learn about the bodgers, bench men and framers who made 4,700 chairs a day here in 1875. The museum tour includes a short demo on the shave horse, pole and treadle lathes. Also see the tools used to make the range of Windsor chairs that are on display.

The Museum of Natural History houses the University's scientific collections of geological and zoological specimens. The Museum itself is a Grade 1 listed building, renowned for its spectacular neo-Gothic architecture. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower.

The Booth Museum is all about birds, butterflies, fossils, and bones. Founded as a Victorian collector’s private museum, the Booth Museum now brings natural history to life with interactive displays and ‘hands on’ activities.

The Powell-Cotton Trust are excited to announce the formal launch of our ‘Reimagining the Museum’ project. Over the next 2 years the Trustees with the ‘Reimagining’ programme team, have some key aims: - Implementation of our decolonisation strategy - Redesign and develop our education and outreach programme - Deliver the ‘Colonial Critters’ project - Create and deliver an exciting programme of public engagement – both digital and physical, including public events - Carry out essential remedial and restorative work to the museum building, Quex House and Quex Gardens Throughout this exciting period of change we have taken the difficult decision that the museum, house and gardens will not be open for public visits other than through organised events and programmes. These will all be advertised on our website and through social media, allowing audiences to continue to connect with our collections – physically, virtually and through outreach.

Gilbert White & The Oates Collections celebrates the lives of three explorers of the natural world. The historic house was the home of the eighteenth century pioneering naturalist Gilbert White; whose major work The Natural History of Selborne has never been out of print since its publication in 1789. The House is surrounded by 25 acres of majestic restored garden and parkland, which specialises in eighteenth century plants and gardening methods inspired by Gilbert White. The Museum is also home to the Oates Collections where visitors can discover the stories of the nineteenth century explorer Frank Oates, who travelled extensively around Africa and Central America and the heroic Captain Lawrence Oates. The Collection commemorates the life of Lawrence Oates, who travelled with Scott to the South Pole on the epic yet ill fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1912. This unique and diverse, interactive Museum also boasts a fantastic café which serves food throughout the day.

The Portsmouth Natural History Museum gives visitors a close view of a wide range of local wildlife including marinelife (at the aquarium) and butterflies.

In a spectacular pterosaur shaped building watching over Sandown’s blue flag beach is Britain’s first purpose built dinosaur museum. Walk back through fossilised time to the period of the dinosaurs where you will find amongst the fossils many interactive displays. On a recreated landscape enhanced by sights, smells and sounds you will meet life sized dinosaurs including our animatronic Neovenator. Guided fossil hunts (which must be pre-booked) have proved to be a popular addition to a visit.

** Reopening on 8th October, 2020 ** The museum, located in Newport’s historic Guildhall, provides an introduction to the incredible history of the Isle of Wight - the best place to start any Isle of Wight Holiday! Visitors can view some of the Island’s latest archaeological finds, find out about Garibaldi’s connection to the Isle of Wight and view the current temporary exhibition ‘A Tale of Two Shipwrecks’. ** The museum has introduced a number of measures to help keep visitors safe. Please visit our website for further information and Covid-19 safety procedures **