A 467-million-year-old meteorite and a newly acquired work by Bloomsbury Group artist Vanessa Bell are among 250 extraordinary objects that have gone on display in a major new nature-inspired exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry.

Curious Creatures, Stones & Bones, which draws on the Herbert’s natural sciences collection developed over more than 60 years, brings together everything from insects no bigger than the head of a pin to mighty mammals, sea creatures, fossils and rocks from outer space.

Visitors are welcomed by an impressive taxidermy mute swan suspended in flight before discovering highlights including a 2.5-metre narwhal tusk and the Barwell meteorite, which is around 467 million years old and contains material dating back to the birth of the universe around 4.5 billion years ago.

Interactive exhibits include an immersive cave featuring glowing minerals and fossils, touchable taxidermy specimens, nature sounds and mystery smells, as well as displays exploring local wildlife, endangered species and the stories behind some of the Herbert’s most fascinating specimens.

The exhibition also showcases The Pond at Charleston Looking Towards Tilton, a nature-inspired oil painting by celebrated Bloomsbury Group artist Vanessa Bell, which was acquired by the Herbert earlier this year in memory of Brian Powell using a grant from his estate.

A Build the Change LEGO® challenge invites children to tackle environmental issues through imaginative building, while a dedicated wellbeing space featuring artwork inspired by nature and a relaxing film encourages visitors to pause and reflect. Younger visitors can also enjoy a welcoming play area complete with a puppet theatre and reading nook.

Ali Wells, Curator at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, said: “Our natural sciences collection is full of extraordinary objects and incredible stories, most of which were either found in or have a strong connection to the Midlands, but it’s not often that we’re able to showcase so much of it in one place.

“Curious Creatures, Stones & Bones gives visitors the chance to get closer than ever to the natural world, whether that’s discovering a meteorite that’s travelled through space, or learning more about local wildlife.

“We hope people of all ages leave feeling inspired, having discovered something new and perhaps seeing the natural world from a different perspective.”

Curious Creatures is included with standard admission to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.

For more information visit www.theherbert.org/whats-on

This activity has been made possible through the partnership between the Natural History Museum and the LEGO Group’s Build the Change programme.