Download and API

Datasets can be downloaded via the download button on the dataset page.

The portal will process the download request, package up the dataset, and email a link to download the data package. If you have not created an account on the Data Portal, you will need to enter your email address

The data format of the download package is dependent on the dataset data type. For the specimen collections dataset it will be as a Darwin Core Archive.

Application Programming Interface (API)

If you want to use data from the portal in your own software or applications, you can access it using the API. You do not need a key to use the API.

The base URL for the API is: https://data.nhm.ac.uk/api/3

The API provides a RESTful interface, returning data in JSON format.

Please see the API guide for full documentation on API methods.

API limits

Please use common sense when using the API, and cache results wherever possible. We reserve the right to suspend API access if you continuously make multiple calls per second.

Please see our terms and conditions for more information.