which is best - Natural History Museum or Science Museum

melb

for girl aged nearly 10 and boy nearly 14. I would be really interested in anyone's opinions. thanks ( I think we'll only have time to visit one of them)


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moneypooh

That's a difficult one and really only you know which they would prefer. I know not much help, but that's because it depends on what your children like. We've been to both with children similar ages in the past and they both enjoyed both of them, although we had a vote recently and the result was a clear win for the science museum. (now 12 & 15).

Both have interactive websites so they could choose (if they know about the trip) or you could see which you prefer.

I would only do one and do it well. IIRC there are so many things to do in both, many involve interactive stuff too.

WolfSong2000

Haven't been to the Science Museum, but absolutely *loved* the Natural History museum...still have really fond memories of trips there with my parents . British museum is also fascinating, although maybe suited to slightly older kids...

bylromarha

Both are great.

You know your kids and what they're into-science museum very interactive with lots of learning zones. Nat hist more to be amazed at, plus has the lifelike dinosaur to be scared of.

as they're next door, why not go as soon as doors open and enjoy your first choice, and hopefully leave time for the second.

melb

thanks I've since been doing a bit of reading up and the natural history museum sounded much busier and more queues. I didn't realise they were actually next door to each other. I wonder if the museum which has an exhibition about the fire of London might be the better choice actually (British Museum?) as they have both studied that at school. there's so much we want to do and I don't want to pack our days too much. I think I will take your advice and show them the different websites and let them choose although obviously they'll choose different ones and have a fight about it! - mmmm I can't wait for 3 nights in our family room!!!!

xfive71

Hiya Melb, yes, they are just next to each other. I would just go to the ground floor exhibits at the Natural History Museum. The building itself is beautiful and the dinosaur bones are amazing. The queues into the museum maybe a little long but it moves fairly quickly.

Exit via the Exhibition Road exit and the Science Museum is just a 5 minute stroll. There are plenty to do there and of course if you fancy it, you could catch the Imax shows.

For lunch, the baguettes at the museums are lovely although a tad pricey. If you start from the South Kensington tube station, there is a Subway there where you can get their £1.99 subways for a picnic.

minerva_windsong

The Fire of London exhibit is in the Museum of London, which is the other side of London (near London Bridge) to the NHM/Science Museum. It's OK but they are still doing up the more 'modern' section of it and it stops after the Fire of London so may not be enough for a whole day, and there isn't an awful lot else around there (financial district so dead on weekends). Or maybe I'm just too old for it.

British Museum is good if the kids like history (the Egyptian section is awesome but will be packed) but possibly slightly too old for a 10 year old. However it has the advantage that there is a lot to do in the surrounding area (15 minute walk to Covent Garden) and most likely cheaper eateries than South Kensington where the other museums are.

If I had to make the very very difficult choice between the NHM and the Science Museum, I think Science Museum would win by a nose. It's a while since I've been to either of them but the Science Museum just had more interactive stuff so I think that might just win out.

melb

thanks for the tip about the London Museum and the fire of london exibition - I don't think we'll bother on this occasion if there's not much else of interest in the surrounding area. I fancy going to Covent Garden but I think we won't have anough time - we're doing one of the above museums plus tower of london plus london zoo and we're only there 2 full days and 2 half days. We're also wondering what to do in the evenings - most of the attractions seem to finish about 5 ish - I know we could go to a show but I don't know which one and don't want to blow the budget. If it was warm we'd be able to just have a wander round which I enjoy but if it's cold or rainly won't be much fun. Do you know if the river boats are on in the evening as everything would look pretty all lit up but there again they'd have to be enclosed.

deano19690

Both Excellent museums

But with kids of that age...
I think the science museum will be the best
Its all gadgets and technology

If you`ve got time do the both...

gfplux

I travelled to London once a year with my daughter who is now 18.
When she was below 10 she loved, loved, loved the natural History Museum.
At around 10 to 12 she got more and more into the science museum. As a teenager she would spend 10 % of the time at the Natural History and 90% at the Science.
We went to the Victoria and Albert (not very far away) once but it got a big thumbs down.
We will be in London in two weeks time and this year she will be only visiting shops and I probably will be visiting the museums on my own.
Except she promises to come with me to the National Gallery.

felinexxxx

Covent garden is still nice in the evenings, also plenty of places to eat there, so you could could fit it in after the attractions close and combine it with a meal.