Grant Museum of Zoology

★ 4.8 (1,317)Free

The Grant Museum of Zoology is University College London's working teaching collection, packed floor to ceiling with skeletons, taxidermy, and specimens preserved in jars, including several species that are now extinct. Its very high hidden-gem score paired with an outstanding rating, among the highest in this collection, reflects a small museum adored by those who find it, offering an experience reviewers describe as unexpected and delightfully weird. Free admission and a compact, single-room layout keep visits short but memorable. At 35 minutes, it's an easy, offbeat addition to a day around Bloomsbury.

✨ Reasons to go

1The museum still functions as UCL's working teaching collection, not just a public display.
2It holds one of the few surviving skeletons of the extinct quagga, a subspecies of zebra.
3A jar filled with dozens of preserved moles is one of the specimens most noted by visitors.

💡 Good to know

1Admission is free with no booking required
2it's compact, so 35 minutes is generally sufficient
3the jar of moles and the quagga skeleton are among the specimens reviewers most often mention.

⏱️ Typical visit

35 min

🕰️ Best time

lunchtime or afternoon

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

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Address

Rockefeller Building, 21 University St, London WC1E 6DE, UKGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"The Grant Museum of Zoology is a fascinating place for anyone interested in natural history. The collection is diverse, featuring everything from skeletons and preserved specimens to rare and unusual animals. The exhibits are well labeled and informative, making it easy to learn about the specimens and their scientific significance. The museum has a quirky, intimate atmosphere that makes exploring the collections really engaging. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, happy to answer questions. It’s a small but incredibly rich museum that’s perfect for a curious visit in London."

— Michael Ns

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