Our Natural History Gallery first opened in 1901, the design influenced by the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements of the time. Many of the original showcases are packed full of animals - taxidermy, skeletons, fossils as well as specimens preserved in fluid. This gives the gallery a unique historic feel.
Most of the specimens, including our taxidermy mount of a walrus were collected over 100 years ago, during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, a time when naturalists and collectors were exploring the globe. To discover more about our walrus and other specimens in the gallery, visit our collection page.
Gallery content
The gallery is split into two levels. It has a main hall on the ground floor and a balcony on the upper level.
The themes of the gallery have changed little over the past 100 years and mainly cover evolution, adaptation and classification.
The gallery also includes taxidermy specimens and models of some of extinct or endangeredbirds including the Passenger Pigeon, Dodo and Kakapo.
Taxidermy cases by Edward Hart provide an opportunity to discover more about how the loss of habitats in the UK has lead to the decline of many of our once familiar bird species.
The balcony displays a geological timeline of mostly British fossils and houses the Apostle clock made in Germany in the mid 19th century.
Activity packs and trails
Download these activity packs and trails to use during your visit to the Natural History Gallery.
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Natural History trail
(11kb)
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Living Dinosaurs Trail
(36kb)
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Flights of Fancy - for ages 6+
(198kb)