Eton College Natural History Museum

About the museum

Eton College Natural History Museum opened in 1875 to house the Thackeray Collection of British Birds, which had been given to the school in 1850. It has stood on its present site on South Meadow Lane since 1895 and is still used for teaching biology and geology, as well as being open to the public. It describes itself as the only dedicated natural history museum in Berkshire.

The collection now holds more than 17,000 objects, most of them on display. Besides the bird collection it includes fossils from the Pre-Cambrian onwards, casts of dinosaurs such as Allosaurus and Iguanodon, a herbarium of about 4,000 pressed plants from the early 19th century and more than 1,400 birds’ eggs collected in the late 19th century and presented as a First World War memorial.

Other displays cover the wildlife of the Thames Valley, a replica of the cabin of the botanist Sir Joseph Banks on the Endeavour, material on Charles Darwin and the voyage of the Beagle, and ethnographic objects from communities in Borneo and the Amazon. Curiosities include a Kakapo, a two-headed kitten and a very plump stuffed platypus nicknamed “Fattyplus”. The museum also runs sessions for local schools and family learning events.

Highlights

• Thackeray Collection of British Birds
• Fossils and casts of dinosaurs such as Allosaurus and Iguanodon
• Hincks Herbarium and Newall Collection of Birds’ Eggs
• Replica of Sir Joseph Banks’s cabin on the Endeavour
• Curiosities including a Kakapo and a two-headed kitten

Permanent exhibitions

• Thackeray Collection of British Birds – Mounted British birds that were the starting point of the museum, shown alongside the Newall collection of birds’ eggs.
• Fossils and dinosaur casts – Fossils from the Pre-Cambrian onwards, with casts of dinosaurs such as Allosaurus, Camarasaurus and Iguanodon.
• Banks, Darwin and the voyages of discovery – A replica of Sir Joseph Banks’s cabin on the Endeavour, material on Charles Darwin and the Beagle, and objects from communities in Borneo and the Amazon.

Founded

1875

Operated by

Eton College

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor can be reached by stairs or by a staff-operated lift; the first floor can be reached by stairs only. There is a toilet on the first floor, and accessible toilets are in the neighbouring Jafar Hall building. Seating is provided, and a chair with arms or a backrest can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice. Assistance dogs are welcome (tell the college in advance). Blind and partially sighted visitors can ask for handling sessions or touch tables, and large-print guides are available in the museums. A Visual Story for Sunday openings describes quiet spaces and noise levels, and stim toys and reading aids are available. The nearest Changing Places toilets are in Slough.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Each museum has trails and hands-on activities for children on Sundays, and family events are held at selected times in school holidays. Staff on hand can suggest interactive activities. Pushchairs can be stored at each Collections location.

Getting there & parking

Vehicles cannot cross the Thames between Windsor and Eton; pedestrians can walk over Windsor Bridge (about half a mile). Coaches cannot use Eton High Street. Taxis can drop off at the Burning Bush, which has dropped kerbs.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no cafe on site; cafes and restaurants are a short walk away on Eton High Street. Drinking water is available at Brewhouse Yard, the Jafar Hall and the library and archives.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit