The Grant Museum of Zoology

The Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the UK’s oldest Natural History Collections. It was established by Robert Edmond Grant (1793-1874) for the newly founded University of London (Later to be renamed University College London) to serve as a teaching collection. While it is still used by university students, it first opened to the public in 1996. It was reopened in February 2024 following a significant improvement programme, which now includes information about how diversity of life on Earth has changed due to human impact and the planetary crisis.

A preserved elephant heart

Based at the University College of London since 1828, it contains approximately 68,000 different specimens that span the entirety of the animal kingdom. As well as the original specimens collected by Grant, it now contains specimens from Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and various London hospital comparative anatomy collections as well as the personal collections from Karl Pearson, Doris Mackinnon and material from the Discovery Expedition and Challenger Expedition. Key collection highlights include the rarest skeleton in the world ~ an extinct Quagga, a selection of dodo bones, and the world-famous glass jar of moles.

The museum is free to visit for all. It is an excellent resource for teaching various subjects. You can go ad hoc, attend one of their special exhibitions and family activities or book your own specific tour. Up-to-date information about their opening hours, history and exhibits can be found here.