A CLOSED-off part of a major London landmark is opening to the public today after being shut for almost a century.
The Natural History Museum is letting visitors inside a hidden gallery that has been closed since World War II.
Previously, it was used as a skeleton gallery, then closed in order to store a surviving botanical collection after the museum’s original herbarium was damaged during the war.
It completely closed in 1943 but reopened to the public earlier today.
The new gallery is called ‘Nature and Us’ and on display are 50 specimens and objects all to do with humans’ relationship with the natural world.
This includes a miniature model of a Crystal Palace dinosaur, a Victorian skeleton of a monk seal and visitors can touch a replica jaw of one of Britain’s very first domesticated dogs.
There’s also a 400,000-year-old handaxe and a bryozoan-encrusted Star Wars toy.
Visitors will still be able to see the room’s original wooden cabinets from when it was used as a herbarium.
The gallery will remain open for 18 months, with some objects being moved to a permanent space in 2029. Those chosen will be based on visitor feedback.
Dr Doug Gurr, director of the museum, said: “It’s a wonderful space with a fascinating history, and we’re excited for visitors to discover it for themselves.
“Opening the doors is a really special moment for everyone involved in bringing this space back to life, and we can’t wait to see visitors exploring it for the first time.”
If you want to see the gallery, you’ll find it on the second floor of the South Kensington’s Waterhouse Building.
The reopening of the gallery is part of the NHM150 campaign which includes opening a new or revitalised gallery each year until 2031.
Another new attraction coming in 2027 will be a new permanent gallery specifically for young children.
It will be designed for four to seven-year-olds with lots of hands-on interactive experiences about the natural world.
The Natural History Museum is completely free to enter – if you want to guarantee entry at a certain time then make sure to book in advance.