Book your tickets in advance! We thought we'd get in just fine without one but it was on a rainy Sunday so we were not the only ones with the same idea. In the end we queued for 2 hours until we got inside. The museum itself is really amazing though. I especially like how everything is explained and described so there is something new to learn for all age groups. I'd definitely recommend going there if you are interested in dinosaurs, mammals, minerals, earth's history and more or even if you just like to look at these things. It is indeed very crowded but not too crowded to look at everything. For a popular museum I'd say it's normal. I also disagree with some other comments saying it's too hot inside. Personally, I thought the air was good and not hot at all.

Took us 4 hours to get around ( my friend and I ) was super fun and interesting with gorgeous architecture. We booked tickets in advance which allowed us to skip the queues outside and then there was so many different sections. i recommend grabbing a map from in the middle of the main entrance room as it is very helpful, me and my friend used a pen we had to mark off things we had seen so we could get round it all. we did stop to eat and drink at the shake bar there which did great ice coffee for a reasonable price. also lots of benches available to take a break which we needed regularly after so much walking.

Must visit location in London for anyone interested in animals and the natural world. Stunning building and the newly opened gardens are incredible. The exhibitions they do here are fabulous and worth the cost- expertly curated and beautifully laid out. Recently went to the Birds exhibition and it was outstanding. Though main entry to the museum doesn't cost is it best to book a free entrance ticket so you can skip the main queues to get in- it gets exceptionally busy at times, particularly during school holidays. Highly recommended

Free to enter with a suggested PS6 donation. Kids loved it, but in the summer it was very hot indoors, and little legs slowed and got tired, gasping to get out into the gardens and walk about. The new entrance garden is very well done! Really hasn't much over the years, very old info and exhibits in the insects part, I think I remember from 30 years ago. Faded and the curation and narratives of the exhibits needs work, could be made better by proper story telling rather than random facts thrown together.

Specimens are very good, with lots of information. The dinosaur section is excellent. The outdoor gardens are nice and you don't have to enter the museum to visit them, however I wouldn't visit just for the gardens (unless passing). The building is also pretty impressive, both inside and out - the current building works on the exterior definitely don't take away from it. However with the number of people they allow in, it's extremely crowded - you could probably allow 50% capacity in, and it would still be busy. A number of the interactive exhibits were also out of order. Will definitely visit again, but most likely during a different time of year to hopefully beat the crowds.

If any one is planning on weekends please take tickets from online for free. Otherwise needs to wait in the queue as we stood in the sunshine. It was a wonderful place with lots of preserved histories and anyone can easily spend half day here. Please keep enough water to get dehydrated for yourself. There are stores and restaurants available for dining in, but sometimes those won't be enough for your dehydration.