--- title: Natural History Museum date: 2018-08-09T15:02:00+01:00 author: Marc Prior canonical_url: "https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/natural-history-museum/" section: News --- Our Customers Love Us! Listed Buildings Insurance [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) ### Get a Quote. Choose from our range of insurances below [Home](/) › [Property Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/) › [Listed Buildings Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/) › [Natural History Museum](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/natural-history-museum/) # Natural History Museum ## UK’s Top 20 Historic Listed Buildings: The Museum of Natural History (London) **Building History** – The Natural History Museum is located in central London and is another fine example of a Grade 1 listed building and is considered to be one of the great Victorian museums of the 19th century. Although the museum itself did not open it’s doors to the public until 1881, it has a history which now spans in excess of 250 years. As per usual with any growing collection of specimens, the original site soon become too small and petitions were made to the government of the day to help acquire a new, more fitting site on which to construct a permanent building. The chosen location was South Kensington and the site previously housed the International Exhibition of 1862, a building which had attained the honour of the ugliest building in London. This being the case, it was strange then that the architect of this former carbuncle, a Captain Francis Fowke, was chosen to build the new structure, in fact he actually won the competition designed to find a new improved design. The curator at the time was Sir Richard Owen and it is thought that he had a heavy influence in the design work and perhaps it was thought that with his obvious influence, a building could be constructed utilising the skills of Fowke who had detailed knowledge of the site. As fate would have it, Fowke died suddenly and instead the contract was awarded to a young architect, Alfred Waterhouse from Manchester who proceeded to make some alterations to Fowkes design work. Waterhouse decided to alter the design from Renaissance to German Romanesque thus creating the visually stunning “Waterhouse” building that is still present today. Many consider the Waterhouse building to be a work of art and it is known the world over, many visitors come to study this Grade 1 listed building and almost study the exhibits as an after thought. Waterhouse admitted that the rounded arches and grand entrance were inspired by basalt columns that he had seen at Fingal’s Cave in Western Scotland. Inside, the building is cavernous with a wonderful feeling of space, unlike many museums, there is plenty of floor area available and exhibits do not feel squeezed in. When you first arrive at the building, the first thing you notice is the huge façade and high, spired towers. One might be forgiven for thinking that this building was a cathedral not a museum. The building integrates the romantic and the practical using a symmetrical plan, the central entrance which leads to a cathedral like hall and incorporates two very grand stair cases that lead to the other galleries. Outside the building stretches some 680 feet in length and it is constructed with a bilateral symmetrical plan designed around it’s grand **historic building** entrance, at the sides are located two three story wings with side lit galleries with tower pavilions at each end. Internal courtyards separate top lit back galleries, which are parallel to the central cathedral gallery. The building was constructed with a structural iron framework of columns and beams, supporting concrete vaults covered by plasterwork ceilings with iron or glass roofs. The top lit galleries below the iron and glass roofs were constructed on the same principle as the Victorian railway stations allowing light and ventilation to enter the building. The structure is faced with Terracotta, which was pretty much a first at the time, this material is inexpensive, durable and highly decorative and was easy to clean, a fact that was quite important in grey smoggy Victorian times. This washable surface is still much appreciated today, this fine grade one listed building is still under attack from modern pollutants and hopefully on going **renovation** will enable it to be enjoyed for many years to come. This article was written by Assetsure- a provider of [Listed Building Insurance.](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/ "Listed Building Insurance") ## Latest News & Advice [![Tower Of London](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/tower-of-london/) ### [Tower Of London](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/tower-of-london/) The Tower of London is London’s top visitor attraction and is classified as a Grade 1 listed building, it is officially Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress and no visit to the capital is complete without a visit to this historic place... [![Science Museum](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/science-museum/) ### [Science Museum](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/science-museum/) The science museum is situated on Exhibition Road in South Kensington in London. It is an immensely popular building and no family trip to the capital is complete without a visit to view displays spanning 300 years of technological advancement... [![Listed Local Authority](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/listed-local-authority/) ### [Listed Local Authority](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/listed-local-authority/) As mentioned in previous articles, the register of listed buildings exists in order to help identify and protect our cultural, social and architectural heritage... [More News](https://assetsure.com/news) ## Why choose our specialist insurance cover? ### Home Insurance from Assetsure Our Home Insurance can provide cover for your Buildings, Contents and Personal Effects. Monthly payments available ### Legal Assistance as Standard All our policies include Legal assistance as standard up to £50,000 This offer Legal protection for problems relating to employment, contracts, property and personal injury etc. ### Home Emergency as Standard All our policies cover Home Emergency as standard up to £500. this offers protection against unexpected events such as the failure of your main heating system, blockage of drains or failure of your domestic gas or electricity supply ### £1,000,000 Cover for Buildings We automatically provide you with £1,000,000 cover for rebuilding cost of your property, ideal if you are unsure of your re-building cost. ### Excellent service offered We like to offer all our customers a first class service, which is backed up by our Trust pilot ratings. We are open 6 days a week to assist you with your enquiries. ### Lloyd's of London coverholders We hold prestigious Lloyd’s of London cover holder status where most of our policies are underwritten. We also place business with major UK insurers [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) [ View All ](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com)[ Get Quote ](#quickQuote) [Most Popular](#tabs__tabmost-popular)[Jewellery](#tabs__tabjewellery)[Leisure](#tabs__tableisure)[Collectables](#tabs__tabcollectables)[Events](#tabs__tabevents)[Hearing Aids](#tabs__tabhearing-aids)[Property](#tabs__tabhomes) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### Collectable Insurance ![Collectable Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/collectables-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/other/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Insurance for Jewellery Collections ![Insurance for Jewellery Collections](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/jewellery-collection-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/insurance-for-jewellery-collections/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Wedding Ring Insurance ![Wedding Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wedding-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/wedding-ring-insurance/) [#### Diamond Ring Insurance ![Diamond Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/diamond-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/diamond-ring-insurance/) [#### Earrings Insurance ![Earrings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Earing-emerald-shutterstock_1156023577-mid.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/earrings-insurance/) [#### Standalone Jewellery Insurance ![Standalone Jewellery Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Standalone-Jewellery_-Shutterstock_2493208421.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/jewellery-insurance/) [#### Ring Insurance ![Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/ring-insurance/) [#### Rolex Watch Insurance ![Rolex Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/rolex-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/rolex-insurance/) [#### Single Item Insurance ![Single Item Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/single-item-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/single-item-insurance/) [#### Safe Deposit Box Insurance ![Safe Deposit Box Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/safe-box-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/safe-deposit-box-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Musical Instrument Insurance ![Musical Instrument Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Guitar-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/musical-instrument-insurance/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Antique Insurance ![Antique Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Antiques-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/antique-insurance/) [#### Coin Insurance ![Coin Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/coins-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/coin-collections/) [#### Fine Art Insurance ![Fine Art Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/fine-art-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/fine-art-insurance/) [#### Handbag Insurance ![Handbag Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/handbag-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/handbag-insurance/) [#### Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance ![Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/military-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/militaria-insurance/) [#### Stamp Insurance ![Stamp Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/stamps-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/stamp-collections/) [#### Wine Insurance ![Wine Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wine-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/wine-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Hearing Aid Insurance ![Hearing Aid Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/hearing-aid-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### High Net Worth Home Insurance ![High Net Worth Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/High-net-worth-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/high-net-worth-home-insurance/) [#### Listed Buildings Insurance ![Listed Buildings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Listed-building-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/) [#### Holiday Home Insurance ![Holiday Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Holiday-home-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/holiday-home-cover/) [#### Buy To Let Insurance ![Buy To Let Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Buy-to-let-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/buy-to-let-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/)