The Horniman Museum in London boasts an eclectic collection of 350,000 objects, including taxidermy, musical instruments, and even live animals.
While many tourists flock to Kensington for the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and V&A, it’s worth taking a trip to Forest Hill to explore this lesser-known collection too.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Horniman Museum, from opening hours and prices, to the must-see objects on display.
Table of Contents
The Horniman Museum’s History
The Horniman Museum was founded by philanthropist and collector Frederick John Horniman.
He started collecting natural history, ethnographic objects and musical instruments in 1868, and opened his house, Surrey Mount, as a museum called Surrey House.
However, by 1898 his house was too small to house his ever-growing collection. At this point, he needed a purpose-built museum.
Frederick hired Charles Harrison Townsend to design the Horniman Museum, in the famous Arts and Crafts style. The new museum opened to the public in 1901, and was gifted to London County Council for the public to enjoy.
Frederick Horniman inherited his father’s company, Horniman’s Tea. Historically, Horniman has been remembered as a social reformer who campaigned for the creation of the British Welfare State.
However, the museum now makes it clear that Horniman’s wealth was reliant on the British Empire and its exploitation of people. While he didn’t own any tea plantations, his business depended on low prices of tea importing, due to the British selling Opium in China.
Read more about the history of the Horniman Museum.
What You Can See at the Horniman Museum
The Natural History Gallery
The Natural History gallery is exactly what you’d expect: fossils and taxidermy galore.
You will see butterflies, bats, bones, pinned insects, pressed plants and more.
Assembled between the 19th and 21st centuries, the collection includes over 250,000 objects. You can browse the full database online.
The Horniman Museum is home to specimens of species that are now extinct, including the Hawaiian Huia bird.
Note: the Natural History Gallery is now closed for refurbishment until 2026.
The Walrus
The centerpiece of the Natural History gallery, this walrus reigns over the room on an iceberg.
Interestingly, this Victorian taxidermy piece is inaccurate. The taxidermists at the time weren’t aware that walruses have wrinkles!
Consequently, they overstuffed it. Oops.
The World Gallery
This area of the museum features cultural items from all over the world.
It’s one of the most significant ethnography collections in the UK, featuring many culturally significant objects.
You will see clothing, jewellery, and day-to-day objects from Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
I really enjoyed wandering around this gallery, especially seeing the cultural dress for different countries!
The Horniman Museum continues to add to their ethnography collection.
The Gardens
The 16 acres of gardens at the Horniman are a joy to spend time in.
Here are some highlights:
- See the city skyline on a clear day.
- Grab an ice cream in the summer and chill.
- Explore the nature trail.
- Visit the Animal Walk to see sheep, goats, alpacas, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.
- Wander through the Dye Garden, a sunken garden showcasing dye plants.
The Aquarium
Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the Aquarium as it was closed when I visited, but that’s an excuse to go back!
The Horniman Museum’s aquarium includes 15 exhibits, featuring aquatic environments from all over the world, from Fijian coral reefs to South American mangroves.
Highlights include poison dart frogs and jellyfish!
The Butterfly House
The Horniman Museum’s Butterfly House looks after butterflies, moths, and caterpillars.
You can see them free-flying around the Butterfly House, in all stages of life.
Fun fact: Frederick Horniman collected many insects from all over the world, and has a butterfly named after him!
Musical Instrument Collection
A big highlight for me was browsing the collection of musical instruments on display.
The Horniman is home to the Boosey & Hawkes archive. They used to be Britain’s largest musical instrument maker.
The collection boasts 1,600 instruments!
This section is great fun for kids (and me), with interactive tablets playing the music of old musical instruments.
How To Visit The Horniman Museum & Gardens
Opening Hours
The Horniman Museum & Gardens are both open daily.
The Natural History Gallery is closed until 2026 for refurbishment.
Museum:
10am – 5:30pm.
Butterfly House:
10:30am – 4pm.
Gardens:
7:15am (8am on Sundays and Bank Holidays) – 6:30pm.
Location
Address:
100 London Road
Forest Hill
London
SE23 3PQ
Nearest Train Station:
Forest Hill (London Overground, Zone 3). About a 10-minute walk.
Pricing
The Horniman Museum & Gardens are free to visit. You do not need a ticket.
However, there is a charge to visit the Aquarium (£6 adults, £3 children), Butterfly House (£9 adults, £6 children), and for some events and temporary exhibitions. Booking is recommended for these to avoid queuing.
The Horniman also offers a membership from £40 (£85 for 2 adults, 3 children) to support the museum.
This will gain you access to the Aquarium, Butterfly House, and member’s events at no extra cost. If you’re intending to visit multiple times, this is a great option.
Accessibility & Additional Information
The Museum and Gardens are wheelchair-friendly, with accessible toilets on-site and a lift to the exhibition spaces.
However, wheelchair users may not be able to access all of the gardens, and the museum advises that the Nature Trail will not be suitable:
“The Gardens have tarmac or concrete paths throughout. Some of the paths are very steep and on wet or frosty days may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anyone who is unstable on their feet.
The ground on the Nature Trail is uneven and can be muddy in rainy weather, so is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone unstable on their feet.”
The Horniman Museum has a cafe and a kiosk for refreshments as well as a place to leave pushchairs.
All dogs are welcome in the gardens but must be kept on leads. Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.
Is the Horniman Museum Worth Visiting?
Whether you’re a Londoner or coming on a trip, the Horniman Museum is well worth a visit.
I particularly recommend visiting in Spring or Summer, to make the most of the lovely gardens.
While the Natural History Gallery is currently closed, there’s still plenty to see!