Image: The gallery space in 1911 (left) and the renovated space before install began for the new gallery (right) © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
London’s Natural History Museum’s first new gallery in a decade will explore environmental challenges and showcase solutions from its scientists and researchers.
London’s Natural History Museum is to open its first gallery in nearly a decade later this year.
The new ‘Fixing Our Broken Planet’ gallery is set to open on 3 April 2025, and will explore global environmental challenges, including a showcase research from the scientists based at the museum.
The gallery will be based in the original 1881 Waterhouse South Kensington building, which required full restoration.
It has been funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) with a grant of £1.64 million.
The museum’s Director, Dr Doug Gurr, said: “Our scientists have been working to find solutions for and from nature. Fixing Our Broken Planet places this research at the heart of the Museum, allowing us to offer visitors positive ways in which they can act for the planet.
NERC-funded research, including winning entries from NERC’s annual Impact Awards, will be displayed within the gallery.
Wellcome has also committed a £1.25 million sponsorship over the next five years to the gallery space.
Professor Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair of NERC, said the gallery will allow visitors to “understand the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet” and “highlight the incredible work of our scientists who are finding solutions for a sustainable future.”
