A Hidden Gem in London β The Grant Museum of Zoology π¦π
The Grant Museum of Zoology, located within University College London (UCL), was founded in 1828 and is the only university zoological museum in London. With around 68,000 specimens covering the entire animal kingdom, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of life on Earth. The museum was created by Robert Edmond Grant (1793-1874) as part of the newly established University of London (later UCL) for teaching purposes. π Grant was most famous in his time for his research on marine invertebrates, especially sponges, sea pens, and mollusks. His studies on sponges eventually established them as animals and led to the creation of the term "Porifera" (sponges). His groundbreaking work and progressive evolutionary ideas had a significant influence on a young Charles Darwin, who studied medicine under Grant at the University of Edinburgh during the 1826-1827 academic year. π§¬π Grant was also the first Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy in the UK. However, upon arriving at UCL, he found there were no teaching materials available for his courses, so he immediately began collecting specimens, anatomical materials, charts, and lecture notes, which form the foundation of the museum today. π In addition, the museum offers an innovative VR experience called "Virtual Worlds: Coral at the Grant Museum". Traditionally, coral specimens in the museum have led to misconceptions that corals are static, which overlooks their role as a dynamic component of marine ecosystems. ππ In this immersive experience, visitors are transported to a space transitioning from a "flood" into a coral reef, accompanied by audio from the Pacific Ocean and underwater footage. Visitors can explore coral ecosystems in health, degradation, and restoration, get close to the critical work of coral restoration, and reimagine the museumβs potential as a climate action space. ππ± Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 1pm - 5pm Saturday: 11am - 5pm (Free Entry) #LondonLife #London #UCL #GrantMuseum #MustVisitMuseums #ZoologyMuseum #LondonMuseums #WeekendInLondon
