There are lots of wonderful museums in London, covering every possible subject matter from art to science and everything in-between. The Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the most intriguing of all. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at this remarkable space…
What is the Grant Museum of Zoology?
The museum forms part of the University College London, and includes a staggeringly impressive selection of artefacts from all over the world. Easily reached while staying at The Montcalm Royal London House, the museum makes for a fascinating day out during your visit to the city, with a wide range of rare items which you won’t find anywhere else. While a relatively small museum, it is also amongst the most impressive you’ll find within London, and the last zoological museum in the city, with one of the oldest selections of natural history specimens in the UK.
What will I see at the museum?
There are 68,000 items in the Grant Museum of Zoology, with a collection which is sure to impress guests at The Montcalm at the Brewery London City. The museum was established in 1827, and takes its name from founder Robert Edmond Grant. The museum was originally designed to aid with teaching at the University of London, which later became University College London.
Key Items at the Grant Museum of Zoology
There are many notable specimens in the collection, perfect for discovering when on the hunt for museums near the Montcalm London Marble Arch. Notable items include the rarest skeleton in the world, known as the quagga, alongside dodo bones and a wide selection of models such as the Vernon Edwards models of extinct fish, the Ziegler wax models, and Blaschka glass models. The collection has been drawn from other university research collections, as well as the personal collections of figures such as Karl Pearsn, Thomas Henry Huxley, and Doris Mackinnon.
Planning your visit
The museum today still retains a distinctly Victorian-era feel, despite still being used by research students at the University. During your stay at hotels near Central London, a trip here is the perfect way to discover more about the natural world, and the curiosity which has led to many of our finest scientific breakthroughs and discoveries.
The museum is popular with visitors of all kinds, including groups, individuals, classes of schoolchildren and families. There are also regular networking events throughout the year and volunteering opportunities, ideal for connecting with others who love the museum.
Events at the museum
The museum hosts regular events intended to engage with both the local community and those visiting from further afield. Events are quite diverse, including everything from special dinners to lectures, awards ceremonies, festivals, drop-in learning sessions, conferences and much more.
When can I visit?
The museum is free to enter, and open each Monday – Saturday between 13:00 and 17:00.
