Natural History Museum plans £150m transformation

The Natural History Museum has announced plans to restore four existing galleries and reopen two new galleries within the next six years as part of efforts to raise awareness of environmental issues and advocate for change.

The museum said it hopes the transformation work can be completed to coincide with its 150th anniversary in 2031. Plans to open two new galleries – one of which has not been accessible to the public since the Second World War – is being made possible by the transfer of 28 million specimens to the museum's new site at Thames Valley Science Park, which will free up space.

One of the spaces will be dedicated to connecting the museum's youngest visitors to the natural world.

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"In 2020, we declared a planetary emergency and shifted our focus to pioneering science-based solutions, for and from nature," a statement issued by the museum said.

"Our public platform has the power to engage a global audience in this mission and create advocates for the planet. We have a unique chance to make an impact.

"Our collections are full of hidden discoveries that could benefit life on our planet, just waiting to be unlocked by our scientific expertise."

The museum has launched a fundraising campaign to generate the estimated £150m the transformation work will cost.

Museum Director Dr Doug Gurr said: “Since 2017 when we unveiled Hope, the blue whale diving through the heart of the Museum, a symbol of humanity’s power to act for the planet, we’ve been working hard to help people understand the importance of looking after the natural world.

"In 2020 we declared a planetary emergency and our mission to create advocates for the planet.”

“This step-change from a catalogue of natural history to a catalyst for change will be fully realised as our galleries here in South Kensington are renewed and revitalised, powered by our scientists’ work to find solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face.”