Evolution of the Darwin Centre

The museum is also a research facility for scientists

The Natural History Museum is over 120 years old and is one of London's most popular attractions but that does not mean it has stopped evolving.

A new wing costing £78m, called the Darwin Centre, opens on 15 September and BBC London's Brenda Emmanus has been given an exclusive look around.

The building is the most significant expansion at the Museum since it moved to South Kensington in 1881.

The Cocoon

Project director Paul Bowers talks about the Darwin Centre

The Darwin Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that will allow members of the public to see science in action, exciting displays and rare specimens.

The centre-piece of the facility will be a 65-metre-long, 8-storey-high cocoon that has been designed to protect the collections within.

Neil Greenwood, the Natural History Museum's Programme Director for the Darwin Centre, said: 'Many people love the Natural History Museum for its iconic Victorian Waterhouse building.

"However, through the Darwin Centre, we wanted to challenge this traditional perception and highlight the work of our scientists and the importance of our collections.

"The Darwin Centre is set to be a truly inspirational addition to the Natural History Museum when it opens to the public on 15 September."