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Original poster

Help! Failed to book Natural History Museum entry ticket and none left :-(

64 replies

Nispero · 26/10/2022 22:59

Hello, partner is taking our 4 year old to London to the Natural History Museum tomorrow but forgot to book a ticket and none are left. They will now try to go to the Transport Museum instead, but child was promised dinosaurs so will be disappointed. Is anyone aware of any other place in central London for something dinosaur related? Thank you!

OP posts:
grantypi · 26/10/2022 23:05

The excel centre had something Dino but not sure of details and if still ongoing

LucieLemon · 26/10/2022 23:06

I think you can still queue for entry on the day, but not sure how long that could take. The British museum was pretty interesting if your little one likes mummies or anything along that lines?

iwantavuvezela · 26/10/2022 23:07

I think (if I remember correctly when going a while ago) that there was a queue of people who had not booked - and those that had booked went through - so he might still be able to go - early might be a good way to find out and see if they can get in - I presume you might have tried the science museum which is next door and fun - and the V and A can be interesting as well

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Culture
Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:10

Thank you very much everyone! Will check about queue on the day, but being half term I fear this is risky. They have been to the Science Museum a few times (and loved it) so wanted something new.

OP posts:
Bellavida99 · 26/10/2022 23:10

The queue for transport museum was crazy late morning on Monday so get there early! The horniman museum is good or how about seeing the Mummies at British museum?

Mynameiselvispresley · 26/10/2022 23:10

Not central London but the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace park were a big hit with DC when little. Maybe worth a detour although I think the transport museum is so good for little ones she’ll forget about dinosaurs altogether once she is there.

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:13

grantypi · 26/10/2022 23:05

The excel centre had something Dino but not sure of details and if still ongoing

Have just checked and also sold out for tomorrow but thank you for the tip

OP posts:
Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:15

Bellavida99 · 26/10/2022 23:10

The queue for transport museum was crazy late morning on Monday so get there early! The horniman museum is good or how about seeing the Mummies at British museum?

Oh dear, yes, didn't factor in the time to queue, this may turn out to be a frustrating day! 😬

OP posts:
HanSB · 26/10/2022 23:17

Dinosaur live theatre show at the Rose theatre in Kingston? It’s about 30 mins on train from Waterloo or go to the Jurassic afternoon tea in Ampersand hotel

Theimpossiblegirl · 26/10/2022 23:17

There was a dinosaur in covent garden today. One of the street acts. Very popular with the kids.

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:18

Mynameiselvispresley · 26/10/2022 23:10

Not central London but the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace park were a big hit with DC when little. Maybe worth a detour although I think the transport museum is so good for little ones she’ll forget about dinosaurs altogether once she is there.

Thank you, yes, unfortunately this is too out of the way.

OP posts:
GlomOfNit · 26/10/2022 23:20

Don't know where you are, OP, but the Museum of Natural History in Oxford has lots and lots of dinosaurs, IMO a nicer museum environment and you don't have to queue for an hour with a 4 yo to get in. Wink Also has interesting natural history displays (skeletons, taxidermy, strokable stuffed animals and touchy-feely things) and there's the Pitt Rivers behind it which some 4 yos will freak out at, but it's a cool place. If you were taking the train into London and are on the right side of the capital, Oxford might be as easy to get to.

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:21

Theimpossiblegirl · 26/10/2022 23:17

There was a dinosaur in covent garden today. One of the street acts. Very popular with the kids.

Oh my god, where? This would be so serendipitous!!!

OP posts:
CircleofWillis · 26/10/2022 23:21

Theimpossiblegirl · 26/10/2022 23:17

There was a dinosaur in covent garden today. One of the street acts. Very popular with the kids.

It was there on Monday morning as well so might be there tomorrow.

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:23

GlomOfNit · 26/10/2022 23:20

Don't know where you are, OP, but the Museum of Natural History in Oxford has lots and lots of dinosaurs, IMO a nicer museum environment and you don't have to queue for an hour with a 4 yo to get in. Wink Also has interesting natural history displays (skeletons, taxidermy, strokable stuffed animals and touchy-feely things) and there's the Pitt Rivers behind it which some 4 yos will freak out at, but it's a cool place. If you were taking the train into London and are on the right side of the capital, Oxford might be as easy to get to.

Thank you, will keep this is mind for the future but for tomorrow only London is an option.

OP posts:
EstellaHanclay · 26/10/2022 23:23

Nah they'll be fine, just get there half hour before it opens and queue. It won't be at capacity that early so they'll get in. I've done this before on a busy Saturday.

minipie · 26/10/2022 23:24

I’ve PMed you OP, I may be able to help

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:25

EstellaHanclay · 26/10/2022 23:23

Nah they'll be fine, just get there half hour before it opens and queue. It won't be at capacity that early so they'll get in. I've done this before on a busy Saturday.

Thank you! Sorry, omitted to say they can only get there around 1pm as having to sort out some other business in London first (which is the primary reason for them going there, the entertainment for the 4 year old is a bonus)

OP posts:
Notanothernobhead · 26/10/2022 23:29

Paradise wildlife park on the Hertfordshire north London borders….
got a zoo and a huge animatronic dinosaur adventure bit . My son loves it! And it’s good value

Afterfire · 26/10/2022 23:30

I think you can just walk in. We went on a Saturday a few weeks ago and booked tickets but there was no queue at all and no one checked our tickets, everyone just wandered in!

EstellaHanclay · 26/10/2022 23:34

Ah ok, well in that case id be tempted to turn up and try anyway. Or maybe try The Postal Museum in Clerkenwell as that includes a ride on the fab underground 'Mail Rail' train.

theBeeeeeeeep · 26/10/2022 23:46

Definitely cannot just walk in - it's half term this week.
I was there last week on an INSET day (so before most schools broke up for half term) and it was the busiest I had ever seen it.

They were checking tickets and there was a massive queue. People were being made to wait until their ticketed time.

Members do not have to book a time slot so buying an annual membership might be an option? The dinosaur exhibition was absolutely rammed though - if you can go some other (non half term) time it would be a much better experience

Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:53

Thank you everyone for the helpful tips and suggestions, I will make note for future reference as well! :-)
Hopefully their day will turn out fine whatever it is they will end up seeing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nispero · 26/10/2022 23:53

theBeeeeeeeep · 26/10/2022 23:46

Definitely cannot just walk in - it's half term this week.
I was there last week on an INSET day (so before most schools broke up for half term) and it was the busiest I had ever seen it.

They were checking tickets and there was a massive queue. People were being made to wait until their ticketed time.

Members do not have to book a time slot so buying an annual membership might be an option? The dinosaur exhibition was absolutely rammed though - if you can go some other (non half term) time it would be a much better experience

Thank you, this is very useful to know.

OP posts:
Mumtofourandnomore · 26/10/2022 23:57

My daughter went on Monday with a friend and just walked in no problem, not too much of a queue.