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NHM is UK’s most visited attraction

Fahad Redha

March 20, 2026
3 min read

The Natural History Museum (NHM) has overtaken the British Museum to become the most visited tourist attraction in the UK. The museum saw a record 7.1 million visitors in 2025, a 13% increase from the previous year and the highest ever recorded by a museum or gallery in the UK, according to Alva (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions).

For a number of years, the crown was held by the British Museum which saw 6.5 million visitors in 2024 and a similar amount the following year.

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NHM director Doug Gurr said he was “thrilled” by the news which shows the “enormous public appetite to engage with the wonders of the natural world.” All over the UK, museums are seeing a steady climb in visitors, suggesting an increase in enthusiasm for them.

But in spite of this, the sector has yet to fully return to its pre-pandemic levels.

Fixing Our Broken Planet, an exhibition at the NHM which opened in April 2025, has seen over two million visitors, and is the second most popular free gallery there after the dinosaur exhibits.

409 of the most popular attractions in the UK saw 165.2 million visitors last year, a two percent rise form the year before. But that is still seven percent less than it was before the pandemic.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.