What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5:30pm Tuesday 10am - 5:30pm Wednesday 10am - 5:30pm Thursday 10am - 5:30pm Friday 10am - 5:30pm Saturday 10am - 5:30pm Sunday 10am - 5:30pm

Horniman Museum and Gardens

Name: Horniman Museum and Gardens
Address: 100 London Road, London, SE233PQ, GB
Telephone: +442086991872
Price range: £
Rating: 4.6

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Horniman Museum and Gardens

An inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free Museum and Gardens in South London’s Forest Hill.

The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future. Our mission is central to everything we do, whilst our values help shape our work and give the Horniman its unique character. Our mission is:

The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share.

We’ve been open since Victorian times, when Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to visitors. Since then, our collection has grown tenfold and includes internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as an acclaimed aquarium and natural history collection. Unusually for such an important museum, you can see our collection up-close and face-to-face. You can even pick up, try on and play with some of our objects. Our visitors come time and again to explore our free Museum, take part in our activities and enjoy our 16-acre Gardens. And they discover something fascinating and mesmerising every time.

- The Museum is open daily, except for Wednesdays.
- The Gardens are open from 7.15am (8am Sundays and Bank Holidays) until Sunset.
- The Butterfly House is open from 10.30am - 4pm (last admission 3.30pm) daily, except Wednesdays. See the website for more details about how to plan your visit: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/

Operating as usual

18/03/2023

We strongly advise visitors to book tickets for Brick Dinos, Aquarium and Butterfly House in advance to avoid queuing, due to reduced till points at the Ticket Desk.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/

17/03/2023

Join us and the Wild Fangs team over the Easter holidays and get up close and personal with crawly critters and fluffy friends. Meet the animals, and learn lots of fun facts, about the important role that they play in their natural habitats.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/habitat-heroes-with-wild-fangs/

16/03/2023

Members! Get up close to some of the Horniman's creepy crawly collection in this exclusive interactive talk with Assistant Curator Chris Hughes.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/members-meet-the-creepy-crawlies/

15/03/2023

By the time we get to march and flower shoots start appearing, we are definitely ready to celebrate spring, and all that it brings with it.

From May Day to Holi, we take a look at spring festivals and celebrations from around the world 🌸

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/spring-festivals-around-the-world/

14/03/2023

Home educators! Join us on 20 April for a session exploring evolution.

Handle real fossils from the Horniman's collection and discuss what they are and what we can learn from them 📚✏

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/home-education-workshops/

13/03/2023

Food waste is a massive problem in the UK. Turning that waste into compost isn't as daunting as it may seem.

By composting our organic matter we are returning nutrients back into the soil, and allowing the cycle of life to continue ♻

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/a-beginners-guide-to-compost/

10/03/2023

When you become a member of the Horniman you get unlimited access to our exhibitions, Butterfly House and Aquarium, plus discounts in our shop and access to exclusive events, just for members.

Membership starts at £40 a year 🎫

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/membership/

09/03/2023

Back in the early 1890s, Frederick Horniman bought a polar bear to sit in the Natural History Gallery. It was a popular exhibit for over 60 years, before it was sold in the 1940s.

Since then, the fate of our once star polar bear has been a mystery. We managed to track the polar bear to Southend-on-Sea, but can't find where it ended up after that 🤷‍♀️

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/the-case-of-the-missing-polar-bear/

08/03/2023

Annie Horniman, daughter of our founder Frederick Horniman, was thoroughly modern for her time. At 22 she enrolled into the Slade School of Art, the first fine art school to allow both sexes.

She cut her hair, joined an occult society, financed Irish theatre, and rode her bike around Europe, journeying twice over the Alps.

She was a pretty impressive woman.

https://cms.thehorniman.net/story/the-thoroughly-modern-annie-horniman/

07/03/2023

We are looking for stall-holders for Second-hand Sundays, part of Horniman Market.

This new sale will launch on 30 April and will focus on repurposing, recycling and reusing. If you’re having a spring clean it’s the perfect chance to see your pre-loved things go to a new home, and make a bit of extra cash!

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-market/

06/03/2023

We are hiring!

We are looking for an Aquarist (£25,344) to help look after our aquatic displays.

We are also looking for a Digital Assistant (£25,698) to have day-to-day responsibility of our website, intranet and social media.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/about-the-horniman/jobs/

05/03/2023

Frederick Horniman died in 1906.

He first opened up his collection to the public in 1890, as the Surrey House Museum, which at the time was in the Horniman family residence.

As the collection grew, a purpose-built museum building was created, opening in 1901. This became the Horniman Museum we know today.

Frederick Horniman is buried in Camberwell Old Cemetery.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/our-history/

03/03/2023

The Horniman Nature Trail sits on the site of the original Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. 🚂

After the railway closed in 1954 it was reclaimed by wildlife before being carefully managed by the Horniman to encourage it to become the rich and important habitat for flora, fauna, mammals and invertebrates that it is today.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/nature-trail/

02/03/2023

Botanist and scientific illustrator Anna Atkins used cyanotyping to approach botanical illustration in a new way.

Her use of this early photographic method saw her produce the first book to be published with photographic illustrations - Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions.

The Horniman holds one of 17 copies of the book along with institutions like Kew, the British Library and the Royal Society.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/celebrating-women-in-science-anna-atkins/

01/03/2023

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus - Happy St David's Day!

Traditionally on this day, leeks or daffodils are worn. The tradition of wearing a leek came from the patron saint telling Welsh warriors to wear the vegetable to distinguish between a friend and foe in battle. However the daffodil is a newer tradition.

The national flower of Wales, daffodils start to spring up in March - around the time of St David's Day. The daffodils are certainly making an appearance in the Gardens, just in time for St David's Day. 💐🌻

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/gardens/

28/02/2023

Do you want to gain new skills and support the Horniman in our work? Visitor facing or behind-the-scenes, there are all sorts of ways to get involved.

Apply for one of our open roles 👇

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/about-the-horniman/volunteering/

Blue Badge Parking is closed all day on Wed 1 March while we improve paths in the Gardens. Tomorrow (Tuesday 28 February...

27/02/2023

Works Across the Estate - Horniman Museum and Gardens

Blue Badge Parking is closed all day on Wed 1 March while we improve paths in the Gardens.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 28 February), contractors will be laying new paths on the lower part of the Avenue and entrance ramp, and the path past the Bee Garden next to London Road. This means the main London Road gates will not be accessible - the small London Road gate to the left of them will be open.

On Wednesday 1 March contractors will be laying new paths on the upper part of the Avenue. Blue Badge Parking will be closed all day. Visitors to the Museum or Gardens can do so from London Road. Visitors coming from Horniman Drive will need to walk towards London Road to enter the Avenue to gain entrance to the Museum.

Visitors to the Cafe will need to enter by the entrance ramp.

The Gardens Toilets will remain open on both days.

You can see which paths are closed and how to enter the Museum and Gardens on the maps on our website: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/project/works-across-the-estate/

We are giving our site some TLC during 2023. This means that some areas will be inaccessible at various times.

24/02/2023

Join the Horniman Market team on the Bandstand terrace every Sunday from 10am – 3pm. Find fresh fruit and veg, bread, sweet treats and all sorts of goodies. 🎁

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-market/

23/02/2023

"Curating this exhibition was an attempt to highlight the wonderful work undertaken by huge teams, from archaeologists, to foremen, to manual staff. Whatever position they held, they made a significant contribution."

We spoke to Sherry Davis about Ode to the Ancestors, and the process of finding archival photos of African Kenyan archaeologists, when their names are absent from records.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/about-the-art-ode-to-the-ancestors/

22/02/2023

Tickets for the Spring Fair are now on sale 🌸

Join us on 8 April for face painting, trails, bubble performances, workshops and even more family fun.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-spring-fair/

21/02/2023

Calling all neurodiverse families!

We are holding an early morning viewing of our temporary exhibitions for those who are unable to visit when we are busy.

If you or your family are neurodiverse or have autism spectrum conditions you can come along to this relaxed view of Brick Dinos and ELMER and Friends.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/bright-and-early/

20/02/2023

Follow our Gardens Wellbeing Audio Trail and take some time for yourself amongst nature. 🎧

This trail is part of collaborative project between the Horniman Museum and Gardens, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust Recovery College and the Lewisham Creative Futures Programme.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/around-the-horniman/gardens-wellbeing-audio-trail/

17/02/2023

Join our amazing volunteers on Saturday to celebrate LGBTQ History Month by making your own rainbow tree, inspired by the colours of the Pride flag 🌈

The Family Craft Saturdays sessions take place every Saturday afternoon 2pm-4pm in the Education Centre - just drop in and get crafty! ✂

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/saturday-craft-afternoons/

16/02/2023

The Transgender flag was designed in 1999 by Monica Helms, a trans Naval officer and advocate for trans rights and visibility in the US military.

The blue represents boys, the pink represents girls, and the white strip through the middle represents those who are transitioning, gender neutral or intersex.

We've made our own Transgender flag using items from the collections 🏳️‍⚧️

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/a-horniman-transgender-flag/

15/02/2023

How can a stone protect against witches?

Do you have any lucky charms? Our charms case in the World Gallery features charms collected by two men, Alfred William Rowlett and Edward Lovett. The charms are all sorts of things - stones, moles feet, a sheep heart, as well as things carried by soldiers during the First World War.

Tom Crowley, who curated the case, tells us more about the men that collected these charms, and the beliefs that surround them.

14/02/2023

Valentine's Day has been linked to Pagan feasts, and Christian martyrs, but it wasn't until the industrial revolution of the Victoria era that cards could be mass produced, and the tradition of sending Valentine's Day notes to your loved ones really took off.

This Portuguese Valentine gift is a small heart shaped cushion decorated with sequins and bows, with a little love note attached. Who would you send it to? ❤

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/where-does-valentines-day-come-from/

13/02/2023

This is looking dino-tastic...

🦖 Make your own dinosaur tail out of old clothes with the creative team from Make Mee studio throughout the week

🦖 Join the volunteers on Saturday 11 February for a dinosaur inspired Family Craft Saturday

🦖 Meet dinosaurs and other prehistoric giants face to face, each one masterfully built using LEGO® bricks in Brick Dinos - on until October

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/whats-on/

10/02/2023

Brick Dinos is now open! 🦖

Meet dinosaurs and other prehistoric giants face to face, each one masterfully built using LEGO® bricks, in this family friendly exhibition.

See incredible models like the raptor-like Masiakasaurus, get hands on in the play areas, and learn about rarely seen specimens from the Horniman’s stores.

Get your tickets now 🏃‍♀️

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/brick-dinos/

09/02/2023

"I hope visitors will sit with these stories, places, people, and get inspired by them. I did, greatly."

We spoke to Dima Karout about Internal Landscapes, working with communities, and curating conversation.

See the free display until 5 March ✨

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/about-the-art-dima-karout/

08/02/2023

Are you on the hunt for fun? 🔍

🦖 Brick Dinos
🐟 Aquarium
🐘ELMER and Friends
🧵 Make your own dinosaur tail workshop
🦋 Butterfly House
🔍 Montgomery Bonbon: museum mystery trail

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/whats-on/

07/02/2023

When you were the only one who thought it was a fancy dress party...

In 1959 we were given this carnival mask from Cyprus, and it was demonstrated at an event in the library.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/explore-the-collections/

06/02/2023

From today the Gardens close at 5.30pm, and the Nature Trail closes at 4pm. 🌳

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/

03/02/2023

We are looking for stallholders for our Spring Fair! We're especially looking for stalls with a focus on family and child-friendly goods or activities.

Find all the information on our website, and apply by 3 March 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-spring-fair/

02/02/2023

comes from the superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its own shadow, it will retreat back to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks. If it doesn't see it's shadow, it means that spring has arrived.

We don't have any groundhogs in the garden but the snowdrops are appearing and the crocuses are peeking out from the soil 🌷

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/gardens/

01/02/2023

The Brick Dinos banner is up, tickets are on sale, and it opens this month! 🥳

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/brick-dinos/

31/01/2023

Us leaving January like...

30/01/2023

Members and Benefactors can get exclusive tickets for a tour of the Horniman Gardens with Head of Horticulture, Errol Fernandes 🌸

Learn all about looking after the Gardens, and all the things we're doing to make our gardening practices more sustainable.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/members-garden-tours/

28/01/2023

Every Sunday 10am-3pm you'll find the Horniman Market team on the Bandstand Terrace.

There's seasonal produce, fresh bread, luxury chocolate, drinks, cakes, and body and beauty products too 🛀

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-market/

27/01/2023

Are you thinking about already?

We're running a series of Make Your Own Dinosaur Tail workshops throughout the week. Get your roars at the ready, and use old fabric to make the perfect dino accessory 🦖

Book early to avoid disappointment ⏰🏃‍♂️

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/make-your-own-dinosaur-tail/

26/01/2023

Alfred William Rowlett was a Victorian dustman, who sold the Horniman dozens of items that were believed to have curative powers, including a wood pigeon's foot.

People believed that as wood pigeons never get foot cramps, carrying a wood pigeon's foot would stop them too from getting cramp. This is known as 'sympathetic magic'.

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/the-charming-case-of-alfred-william-rowlett/

Address

100 London Road
London
SE233PQ

Buses: 176, 185, 197, 356, P4 (Stop outside the Museum and Gardens) and 122, 363, P13 (Stop nearby) Train: To Forest Hill (trains from London Bridge, Victoria, Clapham Junction, New Cross Gate, East Cryodon, Sutton and Purley)

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	10am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	10am - 5:30pm
Thursday	10am - 5:30pm
Friday	10am - 5:30pm
Saturday	10am - 5:30pm
Sunday	10am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+442086991872

Website

https://www.horniman.ac.uk

Alerts

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Videos

Jellyfish swimming at the Horniman Museum Aquarium

Today is #WorldJellyfishDay and the Horniman Aquarium houses jellyfish in a specially designed tank. The tank is designed to stop them getting stuck in corners and has a constant water flow which aids them in swimming round and round. It’s pretty mesmerising!

Reclaiming African History

If you could tell an untold story of African history what would it be? Throughout October the Horniman and our partners are inviting you to share what reclaiming African history means to you. The responses will be collated and shared online and as part of upcoming exhibition Ode to the Ancestors. If you would like to get involved, share a few words, images or a video and post on your social media with the hashtag #ReclaimingAfricanHistory. You can also email us at [email protected]. With thanks to the National Museums of Kenya, Arts Council England and British Council - East Africa Arts. https://www.horniman.ac.uk/story/reclaiming-african-history/ #BHM #BlackHistoryMonth #EastAfricaArts

Where did the Horniman Nature Trial come from?

Have you explored the wildlife on the Horniman Nature Trail? You might have wondered how this hidden gem full of flora, fauna and all sorts of wildlife came to be. Hidden just away from the busy South Circular it's a really important habitat for lots of creatures, but it wasn't always the nature haven that it is now. #NationalWildlifeDay

What do you think this Alpaca is thinking as she chews the cud?

Have you noticed that when you see the Alpacas on the Animal Walk, they always seems to be chewing on something? The reason is that alpacas need to chew their food twice in order to digest it. Alpacas chew food in a figure eight motion in order to break it down efficiently. Once the alpaca has finished chewing, it will swallow the food, passing it into one compartment of the stomach. The alpaca will then bring up more food from another stomach, to chew even further and continue this process of digestion. Animal food that is consumed and regurgitated is known as 'cud'. I wonder what she's thinking while chewing all that cud?

Chewing the cud! Alpacas just keep on eating...

Eva the Alpaca chewing on the Animal Walk 😋

Seahorse feeding time - can you spot them catching their lunch?

These seahorses are being fed phytoplankton copepods and mysis shrimp. These guys eat 30-50 times a day and baby seahorse, called 'fry', eat a staggering 3000 pieces of food per day. The seahorses at the Horniman Aquarium are fed with plankton which is cultured behind the scenes at the museum.

Gentle moon jellies

Some gently swimming moon jellyfish for #MoonDay. Did you know the collective name for a group of jellyfish is a smack, swarm or bloom? There is something lovely about a smack of jellyfish - onomatopoeic.

Why has the Horniman been shortlisted for Museum of the Year?

We'll find out if the Horniman has been chosen as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022, tomorrow evening - eek! But why were we shortlisted in the first place? The 2022 edition champions organisations whose achievements tell the story of museums’ creativity and resilience, and particularly focuses on those engaging the next generation of audiences in innovative ways. 2021 highlights at the Horniman: * the 696 Programme, a celebration of the music of South London – from Afrofuturist hip-hop to reggae, jazz and soul. Showcasing Black British creativity and placing it at the Horniman’s heart, the sold-out live music festival attracted 8,000 visitors and nearly 20,000 visited the Dance Can’t Nice exhibition. * fulfilling the pledges of the Climate and Ecology Manifesto, from an online club of Environment Champions to embedding more sustainable gardening practices to the creation of a micro-forest to help combat air pollution along the South Circular road * inspiring the next generation, from a takeover of the galleries by children to the Horniman’s youth panel of 14-19 year olds, and providing curriculum-linked school workshops, work experience opportunities and Kickstart apprenticeships * collaborating with other museums – the Horniman is spearheading the MAGNET group of organisations sharing collections-based touring exhibitions, starting with Hair: Untold Stories at the Horniman.

Dancing coral in the Horniman Museum Aquarium

A common misconception is that corals are plants, but they are animals. They live together in large groups called colonies and there are an estimated 6000 species in the world. Coral bodies are called polyps and are usually clear of colour. The bright colours are actually different types of algae growing in the coral’s tissue. The presence of the algae helps the coral to remove waste and generates nutrients to feed itself and the coral via photosynthesis. This mutually beneficial relationship between coral and algae is called symbiosis. It is #PlasticFreeJuly this month. Plastic pollution is a threat to coral. It blocks oxygen and light which are the two things corals need to survive. Plastic is also thought to encourage the growth of harmful pathogens which are then introduced to coral reefs. Let's reduce plastic and do our bit to keep the coral dancing! #coral #coralreef #coral #hornimanaquarium

Hear from Jo Brand: what's been happening at the Horniman

There is only two weeks to go until the winner of the Art Fund #MuseumOfTheYear 2022 is announced 😱 which has us asking, why do you like visiting the Horniman? Did you come to one of the 696 events last year or see the Dance Can't Nice exhibition? Perhaps you found the Gardens a much needed space in the lockdowns? Did you help us to plant the new London Road forest border in the Gardens? Or see the new Hair: Untold Stories exhibition? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Two weeks to go: Horniman shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022

There is only two weeks to go until the winner of the Art Fund #MuseumOfTheYear 2022 is annouced 😱 which has us asking, why do you like visiting the Horniman? Did you come to one of the 696 events last year or see the Dance Can't Nice exhibition? Perhaps you found the Gardens a much needed space in the lockdowns? Did you help us to plant the new London Road forest border in the Gardens? Or see the new Hair: Untold Stories exhibition? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Say hello to Truffle the baby Lionhead rabbit

This is Truffle, one of the new rabbits, hopping down her hutch ladder. Say hello to Truffle and the rest of the rabbit gang in the Animal Walk, open 12.30pm-4pm daily.

What is Form 696?

Form 696 was scrapped in 2017, after being criticised for being racist. But how did it come to be scrapped? And what have the consequences of the form been? Produced as part of the 696 Programme this film features Makeda Bennett Amparbeng, Mykaell Riley, Wozzy Brewster OBE FRSA and DJ NG, telling the story of Form 696.

696 at the Horniman

Donate Today: London Road Tree Planting Appeal

What is ocean plastic pollution?

Join the Environment Champions Club

Donate: London Road Tree Planting Appeal - Horniman Museum and Gardens

How to Make a Fire Breathing Dragon

Hear it Live! Róza Bene ‘What if a day’ (1st half-verse) by Thomas Thompkins

Donate: Great Walrus Tea Party - Horniman Museum and Gardens

Sign up: Great Walrus Tea Party

Let's Talk Toys: Home learning challenge - Horniman Museum and Gardens

Become a Curator: Home learning challenge - Horniman Museum and Gardens

Visit Stages of Making

Why do you visit the Horniman?

Hiring: BSL Storyteller - apply by 4 March 2019

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The Horniman Story

Bring the world to Forest Hill

Frederick John Horniman, Victorian tea trader and philanthropist, began collecting objects, specimens and artefacts 'illustrating natural history and the arts and handicrafts of various peoples of the world' from around 1860. His overarching mission was to 'bring the world to Forest Hill' and educate and enrich the lives of the local community.

His travels took him to far flung destinations such as Egypt, Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Japan, Canada and the United States collecting objects which 'either appealed to his own fancy or that seemed to him likely to interest and inform those who had not had the opportunity to visit distant lands'. Mr Horniman’s interest as a collector was well known and many travellers approached him with specimens and curiosities.

By the late nineteenth century, these 'natural, industrial and artistic spoils had accumulated to such an extent that he gave up the whole house to the collections'.

His wife is reported to have said 'either the collection goes or we do'. With that, the family moved to Surrey Mount the grounds of which adjoined those of the former residence.

Surrey House Museum

The Horniman family's former London Road residence became known as the Surrey House Museum and was freely opened to the general public on 24 December 1890.

The museum was initially open every Wednesday and Saturday from 2pm until 9pm and on bank holidays from 10am to 9pm. Arrangements were made for the reception of schools, societies and clubs and every visitor was supplied with a free hand guide catalogue to help them examine and interpret the objects on display.

The collection was divided into two sections - Art and Nature. During its first year, the museum was open for 110 days and received 42,808 visitors. Mr Horniman and his staff including the museum's first curator Richard Quick continued to actively develop the collections with regards to both display and content. In 1893, it was necessary to build an extension onto the museum to accommodate the growing collection.

The adjoining gardens were officially opened to the public on 1 June 1895.

A free gift to the people

In 1898, Mr Horniman decided to erect a more suitable public museum in which the collections could be adequately displayed and appreciated. The old museum was closed on 29 January 1898 and demolished in the May of that year. Surrey Mount was used as a store house.

The architect Charles Harrison Townsend was commissioned to design the new museum. The foundations were laid between June and September 1898. When the building was completed, in his determination to increase the popularity and utility of the museum, particularly with regards to learning and education, Mr Horniman resolved to donate the museum, collections and adjoining grounds as a free gift to the people in perpetuity with London County Council as Trustees.

The Museum and Gardens were formally opened to the public on 29 June 1901. The Horniman family continued to take an active interest in the museum donating objects and large collections of books to the library. In 1912, Frederick Horniman's son Emslie Horniman generously donated money to build a new library and lecture theatre.

Under the London County Council and its various adaptations, the museum continued to develop collections and learning and education programmes that 'brought the world to Forest Hill'.