The Natural History Museum is close to the Science Museum in South Kensington, London. It houses the largest natural history collection in the world. Seventy million specimens(标本) are kept there, and many of them are displayed(显示) using the latest interactive technology. For example, you can experience an earthquake and meet a life-size blue whale face to face.
The collection started in 1752 and grew as more and more explorers and scientists left their collections to the museum. In the mid-19th century, a new museum building was designed to house it. The building opened in 1881 is interesting in itself, because all of the decorations are related to natural history topics.
As well as the curators who look after the museum, there are also 300 scientists working there on different aspects of the natural world, so it is a real, living museum.
Like all of London's main museums, entrance is free, except for special exhibitions, and the opening hours are generous.
