Natural History or Science Museum?

[Ohjustboreoff]

I'm going down to the South East for a few days to see family and want to take my DD9 and DS7 to the Tower of London and The Eye one day and either The Natural History Museum or The Science Museum on the other day.
Which one would you suggest or do you think we could squeeze both in? I don't want to rush.
If Dippy was there it would be the NHM all day long just for that.
DS loves space, dinosaurs and pushing buttons and DD loves Horrible Histories.
Which one is better for kids?

We did both in one day. They are right next to each other so it’s easily doable. We planned the sections the kids were most interested and did those.

If I had to pick, I would do NHM before Science Museum
One thing to note is that you need to book entry for the Science Museum, even though it is free. The main thing you will want to do for that age is the Wonderlab, which you have to pay for and book in advance. It books up fast with school trips if you are going during the London school term time.

They are both a bit overcrowded and overrated IMO. Mainly due to crowds. It's easy (but tiring) do both in one day. Get to NHM just before opening as the queues are gigantic, especially later in the day. Science museum queues are fast moving as you have to pre book tickets.

I prefer science museum by a mile

Thanks, it looks like the NHM is slightly ahead. Both need you to book tickets though they are free.
Has anyone been sati The wonder lab at the science museum? Is it worth the extra cost?

I've not been for quite a few years... I'm a scientist (not biology) and I love the NHM but find the science museum rather underwhelming. (When it's not in the middle of being renovated the MSIM in Manchester is better imo).

It's a hard call for me, as love them both. I would say the science museum has the edge for me though with the wonderlab which is awesome! It does also have a really good space section which my DS loves! There are also some flight simulators and 3D movies. The flight simulators have age restrictions though but we managed to do a fun one with my then 4 yr old. I would say the wonderlab is worth it. They are only next door to each other so you could pop into see the dinos at the NHM? They did have dippy back out again in a separate section which was lovely, but I think that may have finished now?

They're right next to each other so you can do both

The science museum is interactive so way more fun for that age group

Dippy was there in September but may be gone again now.

Yes Dippy did come back for about 6 months but he left again on 2nd January :-(

It’s easy to do both they’re next to each other. If you have to choose only one, do NHM, but both is easy. Fyi the Victoria & Albert museum is opposite (but I find it dull).

Just make sure you’ve booked in advance and studied the layout of the NHM because you can end up walking really far to see stuff you aren’t bothered about.

The Science Fiction: Voyage exhibition at the Science Museum is worth doing if you have any interest in science fiction. Was fun seeing the Darth Vader helmet etc.

@Thesonglastslonger yes totally discounted the V&A because of the DCs ages.

Science museum everytime for me

They're right next to each other, so you could do bits of both

Personal preference is for the Science Museum, but both are excellent. So can only suggest that you look online and decide which galleries you most want to go to and plan from that