Natural History Museum at Tring
Natural History Museum at Tring
Natural History Museum at Tring
4.5
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
934 reviews
Excellent
638
Very good
246
Average
35
Poor
8
Terrible
7
Nic's Adventures
High Wycombe, UK153 contributions
Jun 2022
Visited on a rainy Sunday afternoon, to see the Wildlife Photographer of the year highlights exhibition, it was great as always. We did not see the rest of the museum as it was very busy due to the weather, when we visited the rest of the museum, its great to see the animals and birds, some of which are now no longer around. The car parking was full, so it was hard to find a space, the shop had more toys than books from the Wildlife Photographers exhibition only one which was rarer expensive, maybe they only had limited items send to sell. Overall I liked my visit and my past visits to the museum
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin A
Bournemouth, UK91 contributions
Sep 2022
I came across this place whilst just wondering around Tring. Wow! What an amazing place, a bit like a tardis, it is vast whilst looking quite small from the outside. So many exhibits from all around the world, both present and, sadly, extinct. Would highly recommend a visit here. Entrance is free but you can always make a donation if you wish.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joel C
United Kingdom39 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
So many specimens, I could spend hours there.
This is a delightful place to visit, steeped in
the fascinating family history of the Rothschilds. Something I find particularly exciting is the attention to detail and the layout, with species being ordered taxonomically.
I recommend giving the temporary exhibition a visit too, always something fascinating. Today, the top entries in the Wildlife Photograher of the Year competition.
Also, it's free entry!
This is a delightful place to visit, steeped in
the fascinating family history of the Rothschilds. Something I find particularly exciting is the attention to detail and the layout, with species being ordered taxonomically.
I recommend giving the temporary exhibition a visit too, always something fascinating. Today, the top entries in the Wildlife Photograher of the Year competition.
Also, it's free entry!
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnski29
367 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
I love love this museum. I came here as a child and not much has changed.
Booked to take my 2 year old to the museum in Covid times.
Booking was easy and free if you scroll to the bottom of the booking page you get the option to book for free.
Car park is in Tring park and there is a cut through making it a hop, step and a jump.
Arrived at the museum slightly early as the email tells you not to be late.
Left queuing outside in the pouring rain like others all with small children. There is a covered entrance which the staff could use but they leave you out in the pouring rain. All guests who are queuing do so in a covid safe way.
When it was our turn to enter the building I stepped into the entrance. I was aggressively told to “wait outside” I was already soaked so I did as I was told.
Woman then told use to get inside.
I had to give my name three times before we were let in. Told to vacate the museum by 1630. That’s fine I have no issue with that.
The staff are so incredibly hostile and clearly don’t want people visiting. They make it a horrible experiences.
If any of those kids left in the rain get a cough or a sore throat then all those families will have to isolate and gets tests. The NHM staff need to change the queuing system to keep people dry through winter. Or have tickets timed 10 mins apart.
Get your queuing sorted and be more welcoming. I wouldn’t come back during covid times or the winter.
Booked to take my 2 year old to the museum in Covid times.
Booking was easy and free if you scroll to the bottom of the booking page you get the option to book for free.
Car park is in Tring park and there is a cut through making it a hop, step and a jump.
Arrived at the museum slightly early as the email tells you not to be late.
Left queuing outside in the pouring rain like others all with small children. There is a covered entrance which the staff could use but they leave you out in the pouring rain. All guests who are queuing do so in a covid safe way.
When it was our turn to enter the building I stepped into the entrance. I was aggressively told to “wait outside” I was already soaked so I did as I was told.
Woman then told use to get inside.
I had to give my name three times before we were let in. Told to vacate the museum by 1630. That’s fine I have no issue with that.
The staff are so incredibly hostile and clearly don’t want people visiting. They make it a horrible experiences.
If any of those kids left in the rain get a cough or a sore throat then all those families will have to isolate and gets tests. The NHM staff need to change the queuing system to keep people dry through winter. Or have tickets timed 10 mins apart.
Get your queuing sorted and be more welcoming. I wouldn’t come back during covid times or the winter.
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma J
Berkshire40 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Was extremely upset and let down by this place today! We had a booking for the 1pm slot, and although we left home in ample time to allow for traffic we did not anticipate the M4 being down to 2 lanes. After an hour and a half in traffic I called ahead out of courtesy to explain we would be a little late and check if this was ok,also to see if there was any free space in the slot after ours. (they are only 1.5 hour slots, ours was 1-2.30. I was told that we would not be likely to get in should we be late today and was welcome to go and try but likely we would be turned away if late because 'government guidelines' said so.
I explained I had been sitting in traffic already for an hour and a half, it was a 2 hour drive anyway as we'd come from far away to visit and that I had a child with multiple disabilities please was there anything they could do? We just wanted to be able to visit, within thetime slot we'd booked for, even if it was just for half
an hour as we'd come so far. Nope, if your late, no exceptions, you are turned away no matter how far you have travelled. I don't understand or accept the government guidelines nonsense, we went to the natural history museum a few weeks ago and they do not have this rule even though they are a sister museum, both run by the same company?. The lady showed no empathy or understanding, and just kept parroting the same line about being welcome to try (drive another hour to be told NO you're late) and it's not our fault, it's the government. Not very family friendly or disability aware!
Rules for the sake of rules and hiding beind Covid when it's not a valid reason for being extremely unhelpful and harsh. 3 hours round trip to nowhere with a distraught child.
I explained I had been sitting in traffic already for an hour and a half, it was a 2 hour drive anyway as we'd come from far away to visit and that I had a child with multiple disabilities please was there anything they could do? We just wanted to be able to visit, within thetime slot we'd booked for, even if it was just for half
an hour as we'd come so far. Nope, if your late, no exceptions, you are turned away no matter how far you have travelled. I don't understand or accept the government guidelines nonsense, we went to the natural history museum a few weeks ago and they do not have this rule even though they are a sister museum, both run by the same company?. The lady showed no empathy or understanding, and just kept parroting the same line about being welcome to try (drive another hour to be told NO you're late) and it's not our fault, it's the government. Not very family friendly or disability aware!
Rules for the sake of rules and hiding beind Covid when it's not a valid reason for being extremely unhelpful and harsh. 3 hours round trip to nowhere with a distraught child.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackF
16 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We stopped here whilst in Tring for something fun to do in the day time, entry was free but well worth donating some money for the upkeep. The collection of taxidermy was incredible! 6 galleries all full with all kinds of animals- and the history behind it all was incredibly interesting, the building itself was beautiful and a nicely sized gift shop and little coffee shop to. Would reccomend to anyone! Ps- this is a huge taxidermy collection so if taking kids, be ready to explain the concept😂
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray
Staines, UK786 contributions
May 2021
Long before Toyota Prius, the founder of the museum Walter Rothschild came up with the idea of hybrid vehicle when he mixed up horse and zebra and created a sports model of a donkey with Ford Mustang style stripes. Apparently the new zebra carriage version wasn't as fast and furious as horses so it didn't really take off. But you can't deny the man's passion for natural world because he started collecting insects at the tender age of 7 and by 10 he had enough variety to force his parents to extend the family home that eventually resulted in a full scale museum that we see today.
Majority of the dogs/pet kind animals were donated to the museums by their owners after they died and the other exotic rare ones we see on display were brought from different corners of the world to be studied. It's still the largest collection of animal specimen by single person and he would have had even more if he hadn't sold some to the natural history museum in New York.
Natural history are my favourite kind of museums and never disappoint me. I've visited the mothership London Museum of Natural History dozens of times and still can't say that I've seen all of it because its massive. But this one is whole lot less overwhelming and lot more manageable for one visit.
Majority of the dogs/pet kind animals were donated to the museums by their owners after they died and the other exotic rare ones we see on display were brought from different corners of the world to be studied. It's still the largest collection of animal specimen by single person and he would have had even more if he hadn't sold some to the natural history museum in New York.
Natural history are my favourite kind of museums and never disappoint me. I've visited the mothership London Museum of Natural History dozens of times and still can't say that I've seen all of it because its massive. But this one is whole lot less overwhelming and lot more manageable for one visit.
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackie s
6 contributions
May 2022
Pictures just don't do justice to this amazing museum.
As someone who is a great believer in animal conservation you're not completely sure how you will feel about going here, but the staff are so knowledgeable and helpful in explaining how the animals came to be there and also as humans how we can help ensure that animals are not used again in the way some were in Victorian times! As collectors items 😕.
There is plenty to see and it is undoubtedly an experience to see the size of the polar bear which greets you first - it's massive, but so beautiful. Although the museum is free, it's definitely worth giving a donation to preserve this museums future and ensure a useful history lesson to our children.
As someone who is a great believer in animal conservation you're not completely sure how you will feel about going here, but the staff are so knowledgeable and helpful in explaining how the animals came to be there and also as humans how we can help ensure that animals are not used again in the way some were in Victorian times! As collectors items 😕.
There is plenty to see and it is undoubtedly an experience to see the size of the polar bear which greets you first - it's massive, but so beautiful. Although the museum is free, it's definitely worth giving a donation to preserve this museums future and ensure a useful history lesson to our children.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve M
London, UK513 contributions
Jan 2022
I've known about the museum for many years but just hadn't had the chance to visit. Finally made it and wasn't disappointed at all. The core collections of preserved animals was fascinating - all grouped in taxonomic order - and had us discussing the ethics of this kind of collections versus zoos versus leaving wildlife in the wild and relying perhaps on TV shows. We really enjoyed it. Plus two bonuses - the new display about Walter Rothschild and the history of the museum, and the real bonus of the highlights exhibition from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Normally we go to South Ken to see the photos but won't need to this time! A great visit.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LylePL
London, UK58 contributions
Dec 2019
Besides the incredible collection of almost every type on animal on display, as an architect what impressed me as much was the beautiful building and the fine craftsmanship of the display cabinets. Overall an incredible experience especially with all the Rothschild history involved. I felt as if I was transported by a time machine to a Victorian or a Dickinson era not that I’ve checked if it had anything to do with those times but that’s how I relished the experience.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quincy70
London, UK1 contribution
Has the museum a shop
Kalamazoo200
Valletta, Malta534 contributions
Yes it does on the ground floor
Ali0818
Harrow, UK329 contributions
Are there spotter trails for children to do?
little_blue_devils
Tring, UK15 contributions
There are gallery trails available from the shop for £1 each, with varying levels of difficulty based on age. There are also clipboards, paper and pencils if you would prefer to just do some drawing.
Michael_Collins_106
London, UK1 contribution
Are the fleas dressed? We had heard this
maxibaby2
Sydney32 contributions
Yes, but only 2 of them. They’re in a small display case upstairs (Gallery 2 I think it was). Hope that helps.
StaticRush
London, England2 contributions
Hi! Will you be getting any dinosaurs please? Thank you
frostydane
London, UK28 contributions
No I don’t think there were any available for taxidermy
springfields5
Bedford, UK
Is it suitable for all age groups?
Ali0818
Harrow, UK329 contributions
We took a grandma and a two year old. Everyone enjoyed it.
springfields5
Bedford, UK
Is the museum suitable for all age groups?
Gina S
Ferns, Ireland20 contributions
Yes. I visited with my twins who were four, my teenage nieces and my mother in law. We all enjoyed it. I'd go again.
roshurst
Hitchin, UK2 contributions
What are the opening days and times for the Christmas and New Year holidays
KennyMan7
Aylesbury, UK62 contributions
According to the website they're only closed between 24th and 26th December. I'd give them a call to check about New Years Day and the 2nd January though. They're usually open on bank holidays. If you haven't been, it's great. Hope you enjoy your visit!
Natural History Museum at Tring - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural History Museum at Tring
- Natural History Museum at Tring is open:
- Sun - Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Natural History Museum at Tring:
- (0.26 mi) Three Bedroomed apartment near centre of Tring 'Stones Throw'
- (0.35 mi) THE COACH HOUSE
- (0.31 mi) Wellbrook House
- (1.38 mi) Premier Inn Tring
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- Restaurants near Natural History Museum at Tring:
- (0.09 mi) China Town
- (0.19 mi) Storia Tring
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- (0.20 mi) Crockers Tring
- (0.18 mi) Barracuda Tring