If you want to see Hairy Styles with Three Testicles, head to the Linnean Society in central London, where a curious new exhibition has just opened. In this case, Hairy Styles isn’t a pop star, but a playful collection of hairy specimens and the three testicles appear in a notebook on display.
Inspired by the grand tradition of the cabinet of curiosity, or Wunderkammer, which flourished in 17th- and 18th-century Europe, the exhibition brings together a series of themed displays showcasing some of the Linnean Society’s more unusual treasures.
It’s a gently whimsical show that’s more “look at this oddity” than “here’s a scientific explanation” and that’s a large part of its charm. Expect moments of delight, fascination, and the occasional shudder of “ugh!” as you peer at the exhibits.
Among the curiosities are animal skins, a pipe (reportedly) carved from an albatross bone, and preserved spiders, all contributing to display a suitably spooky air for the Halloween season.
One particularly eye-catching item is a handwritten dinner bill from the King’s Arms in Kew, dating back to Carl Linnaeus’s visit to London and a far cry from today’s plain thermal till receipts.
And keep an eye out for the hexagonal postage stamps; you don’t see many of those about.
As for the famous testicles, they take a bit of finding. A helpful tip: use your phone camera to zoom in on the notebook page to read it.
That the curators have had a bit of fun with the labels is also a nice touch – science should be engaging and fun at times.
Hairy Styles
Fights of fancy
You monster
Itty Bitty
Deadly!
Around the world
Domestic bliss
Surf and turf
Different wavelengths
The exhibition, Wonder, is at the Linnean Society on Piccadilly until March 2026.
It’s open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and is free to visit.
