Bringing urban nature to life at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum, located in South Kensington, London, is one of the UK’s most iconic scientific institutions. Welcoming over 5 million visitors annually and known for its world-class collections and ground-breaking research, the museum plays a central role in public science education and biodiversity conservation. As part of its broader strategy to engage more people with the natural world and take a lead on environmental issues, the Museum, in partnership with principal contractor Walter Lilly and award-winning architects J&L Gibbons, launched the Urban Nature Project. A landmark initiative to transform its five-acre outdoor space into a model for sustainable urban ecology.

This ambitious initiative aimed to create a biodiverse, interactive landscape that would enhance the visitor experience, while serving as a working research site and living laboratory. At its core were science, sustainability and storytelling. The complexity of the vision demanded expert delivery to balance ecological goals, public access and scientific integrity. This flagship scheme brings together ecological restoration, scientific research, and public engagement in one of the most intensively studied urban nature sites in the world. Designed by J&L Gibbon, the revitalised gardens are now home to two immersive outdoor galleries, The Evolution Garden and the Nature Discovery Garden, each telling a unique story about the Earth’s past, present, and future biodiversity.

Balancing heritage, science and sustainability

The Natural History Museum had an ambitious vision: to transform its existing gardens into a ‘living laboratory’ that would inspire public engagement, advance conservation science, and improve biodiversity. However, achieving this required a specialist landscaping partner capable of navigating a complex and highly sensitive urban site. They faced several obstacles:

Ecological sensitivity: The site included mature trees and Root Protection Zones that required careful preservation, and the new garden had to support rare and native species.
Technical complexity: Designs called for multiple specialist soil types, custom-built misting systems, and integration of environmental sensors for research purposes.
Coordination and access: The project had to be completed within a narrow footprint in central London. With materials delivered just-in-time and multiple contractors working in shared spaces.

The client was under pressure to deliver a high-profile scheme that would meet public expectations, attract funding and serve educational goals, all while maintaining access to a busy, and popular venue for millions of visitors.

Delivering with care in a live museum environment

Gavin Jones Ltd, a Nurture Group company, was entrusted as the lead contractor for the £1.8 million urban soft landscaping scheme. Our role went beyond planting, we brought ecological knowledge, precision installation, and logistical expertise to ensure the gardens matched the museum’s scientific and educational ambitions.

The soft landscaping works included:

Installation of specialist soil types replicating different UK habitats
Installation of thousands of plants and trees, including rare and specialist species to support themed educational zones
Creation of multiple UK habitat types, using diverse soil compositions to replicate woodland, grassland, wetland and rocky ecosystems
Custom-built garden structures, such as benches, rainwater harvesting systems, greenhouses, and outdoor classrooms
Sustainable delivery, adhering to a zero-waste and diesel-free construction commitment
A bespoke irrigation and misting system, supporting microclimates for sensitive species and research

How Gavin Jones delivered a bespoke ecological landscape

Delivering a project of this scale and sensitivity within the grounds of a world-renowned public institution came with a unique set of challenges.

The five-acre site sits at the heart of a densely populated area and is open to the public daily, with high footfall and an active programme of museum events. This demanded meticulous planning to ensure works were completed safely, with minimal disruption to public access or museum operations.

Navigating complex site conditions:

The complexity of the site was amplified by a dense overlay of Root Protection Zones (RPZs), several mature protected trees, and narrow city streets surrounding the Museum. These conditions severely restricted delivery windows and movement of materials.

To mitigate these constraints:

Works were scheduled outside of standard hours, including evenings and weekends, to reduce disruption and avoid root damage.
‘Just-in-time’ logistics were critical, ensuring materials such as large trees, custom soils, and hardscape elements were delivered precisely when needed.
Materials had to be moved with great care through tight spaces and within a limited operational footprint.

In addition to logistical constraints, the site’s role as a living laboratory introduced further complexities. With more than 25 environmental and acoustic sensors, along with eDNA sampling systems installed throughout the gardens, every decision required alignment with the project’s scientific goals. To achieve this, the Gavin Jones team worked closely with the Museum’s research teams. Together, we ensured that planting, irrigation and misting systems were calibrated to support sensitive species without disrupting data collection.

Likewise, the pond installation and misting piers demanded a high level of precision. These features had to balance ecological function, aesthetic appeal and scientific requirements. Ultimately, they played a vital role in establishing suitable microclimates for rare species and enhancing the site’s value as both an educational resource and a research hub.

Managing project extension and planting pressures:

As is often the case on complex, multi-contractor builds, the programme extended beyond the original timeline due to overlaps with other trades and evolving site access constraints. This particularly had a direct knock-on effect on the soft landscaping schedule. Some pre-reserved plant species became unavailable, as well as rootballed and bare-root specimens missed their optimal planting windows.

Rather than risk quality or waste valuable resources, we adapted our approach:

Plants were nurtured off-site in pots and reintroduced once seasonal conditions permitted.
Close collaboration with specialist nurseries across the UK ensured we sourced rare and unusual species from the original design brief.
Flexibility in procurement and scheduling helped retain the integrity of the ecological themes, despite changing circumstances.

Commenting on the challenges the Gavin Jones team faced, Neil Attride, Head of Construction (South) said:

“Despite these challenges, all planting requirements were fulfilled. The completed gardens are now thriving, already supporting a diverse range of wildlife, and fulfilling their role as both a public attraction and a centre for ecological education and research.”

From prehistoric past to urban present: Two gardens with a purpose

The Evolution Garden (East Side)

This immersive landscape is designed to take visitors on a journey through 2.7 billion years of Earth’s biological history. Anchored by a dramatic canyon of ancient Scottish stone and adorned with bronze sculptures of UK-native dinosaurs. The garden uses geological zones, interpretive planting and thematic storytelling to teach about life’s evolution.

Gavin Jones installed specialist planting schemes that reflected different geological periods, from mosses and ferns of prehistoric eras to modern pollinator-friendly flowering plants. This complexity required careful soil specification and integration of materials aligned to each era’s geology, such as Portland limestone and Irish basalt.

The Nature Discovery Garden (West Side)

Expanding and enhancing the existing Wildlife Garden, this space was transformed into a biodiversity hotspot and educational environment. It features a mosaic of habitats including meadows, woodlands, ponds and wetlands, all connected by an accessible sunken pathway. Trial planting zones to allow researchers to monitor how species may adapt to climate change.

Gavin Jones reconfigured the pond and wetlands, Improve both habitat value and public engagement Adding safe dipping zones and constructing a new Learning and Nature Activity Centre. This included log stools, potting sheds, greenhouses and a rainwater-fed Garden Kitchen, all enabling community volunteering and school engagement.

The impact: A living legacy for learning and biodiversity

The Urban Nature Project has delivered a remarkable transformation of the Natural History Museum’s five-acre outdoor space. Exceeding expectations across biodiversity, education, sustainability and visitor engagement. Through a considered blend of ecological expertise, innovative landscape design and strategic implementation, the gardens now serve as a benchmark for urban nature regeneration in the UK.

A thriving urban landscape for biodiversity

The new gardens deliver expanded, enriched habitats that actively support a wider variety of wildlife. Birds, amphibians, insects and aquatic species have already returned in greater numbers. Pollinator-friendly planting zones, reconfigured wetlands, species-rich meadows and UK-native woodlands work in unison to mimic natural ecosystems. These diverse environments provide essential food, shelter and breeding grounds, strengthening biodiversity and building long-term ecological resilience.

A living laboratory for climate and conservation science

The Museum has installed over 25 acoustic and environmental sensors, along with eDNA sampling systems, across the site. These tools turn the gardens into a real-time research platform, supporting dynamic environmental monitoring. Researchers actively use trial planting zones to observe how different plant species respond to climate change and urban pressures. Their findings already inform future conservation strategies. By embedding research into the landscape, the Museum demonstrates leadership in public science and environmental policy.

A powerful new educational experience

The Evolution Garden and Nature Discovery Garden immerse visitors in a multisensory, story-driven journey through Earth’s biodiversity. These spaces serve as open-air classrooms, giving school groups, families and individuals a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world. Outdoor learning features, such as the Nature Activity Centre, rainwater-fed Garden Kitchen and pond-dipping zones, provide hands-on learning experiences. These additions also invite greater community participation and expand the Museum’s educational reach far beyond its indoor galleries.

Gavin Jones collaborated closely with the client, contractor and architects to bring the Museum’s vision to life. The Natural History Museum has responded with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“We are both impressed and grateful at the hard work your team have put into the project. It is appreciated.” – Rhys Sumpton, Divisional Director, Walter Lilly (Landmark & Heritage).

“We have really enjoyed working with you on this project, and the site team have been really outstanding.” – Neil Davidson, Landscape Architect, JL Gibbons

This project presented significant complexity. Transforming the urban gardens involved planting and establishing thousands of native and specially selected species. Our team took the lead in sourcing and installing a diverse range of plants and trees. As a result, we helped create a dynamic living laboratory where visitors can explore the richness of life on Earth and better understand the importance of conservation.

Ready to transform your public space? Let’s talk.

Whether you’re delivering a large-scale regeneration scheme, revitalising a historic site or looking to enhance the green infrastructure of a new development, our expert teams are here to help.

Gavin Jones bring proven expertise in regeneration landscaping and soft landscape construction. Collaborating with architects, contractors and developers to deliver sustainable, high-quality results that connect people with place.

If you’re seeking a partner who understands the complexity of public realm delivery and the value of green space, we’d love to hear from you.