This site of historic and scientific interest is
administered by The Natural History Museum. It is open to the public and
within easy distance of central London.
The origin of the Zoological Museum at Tring is the result of one man's obsession for collecting. That man was Lionel Walter Rothschild. Today, preserved as it was originally conceived, the Museum is a wonderful example of traditional Victorian mounted specimen displays.
Lional Walter Rothschild spent much of his time and personal wealth in the
pursuit of his favourite occupation, the scientific study of natural history. Amongst
his many claims to fame was his carriage team of zebras. When Walter
Rothschild was 21 his father, the first Baron Rothschild, gave him land at
Tring in Hertfordshire. Here he built a museum to hold his private
collection of specimens and books.
By 1892 the collection had already grown to over 4,000 mammal and bird specimens on display, 40,000 bird skins and over 500,000 insects in the study collections. As the collections grew, more accommodation was built for the specimens, the library and to make more space for the public galleries. When Walter Rothschild died in 1937, he bequeathed the Museum and his entire collection to the Trustees of the British Museum.
Although under no obligation to display his collections, Rothschild had been devoted to the public galleries. The specimen displays, including rare examples of the extinct quagga, Carolina parakeet and Tasmanian wolf, personally chosen, were among the finest to be seen anywhere. Today these displays have been preserved and can be seen much as they were then.
The Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AP.
By road from London
Tring is on the A41, 7 miles SE of Aylesbury and 33 miles from London.
By Public Transport
By train from London Euston station. The Tring train station lies some distance from the village, it is advisable to catch the local T3 bus into the village (contact the local transport authority for the latest details).
Opening hours and admission
Monday to Saturday 10.00-17.00
Sunday 14.00-17.00
The Museum closes 24-26 December.
Admission is charged although entrance is free from 16.00 Monday-Friday and from 16.30 weekends and bank holidays.
For more information, telephone +44 (0)1442 824181
