Horniman Museum and Gardens

Over het museum

The Horniman Museum grew from the private collections of Frederick John Horniman, who made his fortune in the tea trade. By the time the museum was founded, his collecting had brought together around 30,000 objects covering natural history, cultural artefacts from around the world and musical instruments.

Horniman gave the museum and its gardens to the people of London. The building was designed by the architect Charles Harrison Townsend in an individual modern style, commissioned in 1898 and opened in 1901, and it is now a Grade II* listed building. A second building was added in 1911, and a modern extension by the architects Allies and Morrison opened in 2002.

Today the museum's collection of around 350,000 objects is organised around anthropology, natural history and musical instruments. It is also known for its large collection of taxidermied animals, including a walrus, and for an aquarium with an unusual layout. The 16 acres of landscaped gardens include a Grade II listed conservatory, a 1912 bandstand, a Butterfly House and a sound garden with large musical instruments.

The museum is run by a charity and is free to enter. In 2022 it won the Art Fund Museum of the Year award. Some galleries are currently closed for the Nature and Love project, which is reimagining the natural history displays.

Hoogtepunten

• The Natural History Gallery's walrus and large collection of taxidermied animals (gallery currently closed)
• The Music Gallery with instruments from around the world
• The World Gallery on global cultures
• The Aquarium (paid); the Butterfly House (paid) is currently closed
• 16 acres of gardens with a Grade II listed conservatory, bandstand and sound garden
• Kusuma Nature Play Area and Animal Walk

Vaste collectie

• World Gallery – A permanent gallery on cultures from around the world, drawing on the museum's anthropology collection.
• Music Gallery – A gallery of musical instruments from around the world.
• Aquarium – A paid aquarium with marine life; booking in advance is recommended.

Opgericht

1901

Beheerder

The Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust (charity)

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 830.699 (2025)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

The museum and gardens are free to enter and need no ticket. A charge applies to the Aquarium, Butterfly House, Voyage to the Deep, temporary exhibitions and some events. Recipients of Universal Credit and some other benefits can buy up to four £2 tickets per paid attraction. Members enter free. Family discounts are applied automatically at checkout. National Art Pass holders can see the temporary exhibition and the Aquarium for free.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The museum and gardens are wheelchair friendly, and a lift serves all exhibition areas and the Gallery Square toilets. The path from the main gate to the museum is about 150 m and uphill, with benches. Three wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the ticket desk. Two accessible parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are on site, reached from the Horniman Drive gate (first come, first served). Accessible toilets are in Gallery Square, the gardens and the cafe; there are no hoists or adult changing facilities. Ear defenders, torches and magnifying glasses can be borrowed, some information is in large print, and film captions and some BSL interpretation are provided. Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum. Visiting on term-time afternoons is quietest.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

The gardens have the Kusuma Nature Play Area and an Animal Walk, and the Aquarium and Butterfly House suit children. Family events run during school holidays. Baby changing is in the Gallery Square toilets and the garden toilets, and there is a breastfeeding room off Gallery Square. Buggy parking is in Gallery Square, by the play area and next to the Butterfly House. The cafe serves children's meals.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Coaches can drop off outside the museum near the Clocktower. Bicycle racks are on the Avenue near the main entrance and by the Butterfly House. Use postcode SE23 3BU for the Horniman Drive entrance to the accessible parking.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Kluisjes: niet aanwezig
• Wifi

Free Wi-Fi (Horniman Public Wi-Fi) is available throughout the museum and in parts of the gardens, though the signal can be intermittent. A museum cafe, a Gardens Cafe and a seasonal Bandstand kiosk serve drinks and food; all are cashless. Food may be eaten in the gardens and the Dutch Barn, not inside the museum. Lockers by the cafe are currently out of service, and cloakroom space is limited.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

The Conservatory, Pavilion and Bandstand in the gardens can be hired, along with spaces for parties, corporate events and weddings.

Je bezoek plannen