Explore Tour at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum exhibits one of the most important and astonishing natural collections in the world - just wait until you come face to face (or face to foot) with the giant reconstructed skeleton of brontosaurus as you enter the building.
The Explore Tour is a unique chance to get behind the scene of this ground breaking museum and explore the parts not normally seen by the general public. These special tours give you a fascinating glimpse of the centre's 27 kilometres of shelves stacked with over 22 million specimens, as well as their cutting-edge scientific research.
Specimens collected by Charles Darwin on his original Beagle voyage - where he first developed the theory of evolution - are among the zoological treasures you can marvel at when you join the tour.
In the Darwin Centre Tank Room you can see the giant squid, Architeuthis dux, nicknamed 'Archie'. The squid is 8.62 metres long and was caught off the coast of the Falklands Islands in 2004. The giant squid is the second largest living invertebrate, and has eyes the size of footballs, a powerful beak, thick tentacles and dangerous-looking teeth-filled suckers.
The Natural History Museum also offers an Explore Tour of the Botany Department. You'll get to see some of the historic plant collection and discover what the research scientists do. The tours last 45 minutes and can be booked on the day at the main information desk or by telephoning +44 (0)20 7942 5011. Tours cannot be pre-booked.
For more information on the Explore Tour, visit Natural History Museum - Explore Tours (www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/daily-events/explore-tour/index.html).