Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens in London on 16 October: what residents need to know

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will return to London’s Natural History Museum on Friday, 16 October 2026, bringing together all 100 winning images from this year’s competition. It is a clear date for wildlife-photography enthusiasts considering a visit, although the museum’s announcement does not yet provide an opening time, ticket price or booking instructions.

The exhibition marks the 62nd year of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. According to the museum’s press release, published on 26 August 2026, the latest contest received a record-breaking number of entries and a preview of the winning collection has now been released.

What visitors will see at the Natural History Museum

The London exhibition will showcase the complete set of 100 winning images selected for the 2026 competition. The number refers specifically to the winning collection that will be displayed, rather than the wider field of entries submitted to the contest.

The supplied announcement does not identify the individual photographs, photographers, wildlife subjects or competition categories represented. It also gives no entry total or previous-year figure against which to measure the reported record. The confirmed highlight is therefore the opportunity to see the entire group of 100 winners presented together at the museum from the October opening date.

For prospective visitors, that makes the exhibition most directly relevant to people interested in wildlife imagery and the results of the annual competition. Further detail about particular images cannot be confirmed from the source provided.

Confirmed date and venue

The source says the full set will be showcased at the museum “from” 16 October, confirming the start date but not the length of the exhibition. No daily schedule is included, so visitors should not infer an opening time from the Friday launch date.

What to check before planning a visit

Ticket prices, advance-booking requirements, opening hours, accessibility arrangements and transport guidance are not included in the supplied announcement. Anyone arranging a timed or assisted visit will need those details before finalising plans.

The Natural History Museum press release is the attributed source for the exhibition announcement. The next confirmed milestone is Friday, 16 October 2026, when the complete set of 100 winning photographs is due to go on display at the Natural History Museum in London.

Source: Natural History Museum Press Releases