Wildlife Garden
The Wildlife Garden is open from 1 April to 31 October. Select the images below to see some of the highlights.
Visitors are welcome at other times by appointment. Please contact the Central Hall information desk or call the wildlife gardeners on +44 (0) 20 7942 5889 (subject to staff availability).
Access to the Wildlife Garden is through the Museum's main west lawn entrance.
During the summer term we run activities that complement National Curriculum Science and Early Learning Goals, see the School activities section for more information.
Dragonflies, foxes, sheep, robins, pheasant, woodcock, marsh marigolds, primroses, lime, hornbeam… the Wildlife Garden is a lush haven for thousands of British plant and animal species at different times of the year.
By mid-May bluebells dominate the woodland and their fragrance fills the air. Our native bluebell has a dainty, drooping, dark blue flower. The more robust, upright and paler blue flowers are Spanish bluebells. Can you spot the difference?
Look for the bright yellow flowers of marsh marigolds around pond edges, ditches and marshy areas from March to May. They’re a good nectar source for insects and part of a vital wetland habitat.
The garden is full of small birds collecting nesting material – dead plant stalks, leaves, moss, feathers and sheep’s wool. Birds also weave pieces of string and plastic litter into their nests. Look out for blackbirds, robin, wrens, moorhens, finches and tits.
Azure and common blue damselflies appear from late May. Their larvae are pond-dwellers living on midge larvae and water lice. Look out for blue-tailed and large red damselflies, too.
