Horniman Museum and Gardens
Horniman Museum and Gardens
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is an inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.The Museum has been open since Victorian times, when Frederick John Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to visitors. Since then, the 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 the collection up-close and face-to-face. You can even pick up, try on and play with some objects.Visitors come time and again to explore this free museum, take part in our activities and enjoy the 16-acre gardens.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
724 reviews
Excellent
365
Very good
256
Average
74
Poor
20
Terrible
10
Brian T
London, UK6,782 contributions
Aug 2021
This is a small but very popular museum in suburban Forest Hill. It seems to focus on the themes of the natural world and human cultures, spread across two main exhibition halls filled to the brim with showcases full of the likes of stuffed birds and animals, animal bones, musical instruments, and wonderful curiosities from various parts of the globe. You’ll see the huge old walrus that’s been there for decades, and the eyes of the stuffed primates seemingly following you around, and wonderful beadwork on tribal masks. Apparently there’s some 350,000 items for you to cast your eyes over.
Entrance is free, but you need to book a time slot online so that appropriate volumes of visitors can be maintained within the museum, as a Covid safety precaution. Unfortunately it was a bit of a free for all once inside the museum, with huge groups of adults blocking passageways, and children racing around unsupervised and unruly. As we’d been to the museum many times previously, we thus didn’t linger in the exhibition halls and focused this visit on the gardens. And what a riot of colour they were. The 16 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, set against the backdrop of the skyline of Central London, were a feat for the eyes and a beautiful kaleidoscope of summer colour. The Sunken Garden was a tranquil delight of yellows and oranges, and the Grasslands Garden was ablaze with spectacular flowering specimens native to the prairies of North America and the grasslands of South Africa. They were full of bees and butterflies, and a delight to wander and to just sit awhile. It’s a beautiful part of the museum complex that it’s often overlooked. Of course, expect seasonal variations, and understand that it may not be too colourful in winter.
The museum is not open on Wednesday. The gardens are open daily until 18:50. There’s a cafe at the museum, with seating in the fabulous Victorian conservatory. But take a picnic and enjoy it in the garden if weather permits.
Entrance is free, but you need to book a time slot online so that appropriate volumes of visitors can be maintained within the museum, as a Covid safety precaution. Unfortunately it was a bit of a free for all once inside the museum, with huge groups of adults blocking passageways, and children racing around unsupervised and unruly. As we’d been to the museum many times previously, we thus didn’t linger in the exhibition halls and focused this visit on the gardens. And what a riot of colour they were. The 16 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, set against the backdrop of the skyline of Central London, were a feat for the eyes and a beautiful kaleidoscope of summer colour. The Sunken Garden was a tranquil delight of yellows and oranges, and the Grasslands Garden was ablaze with spectacular flowering specimens native to the prairies of North America and the grasslands of South Africa. They were full of bees and butterflies, and a delight to wander and to just sit awhile. It’s a beautiful part of the museum complex that it’s often overlooked. Of course, expect seasonal variations, and understand that it may not be too colourful in winter.
The museum is not open on Wednesday. The gardens are open daily until 18:50. There’s a cafe at the museum, with seating in the fabulous Victorian conservatory. But take a picnic and enjoy it in the garden if weather permits.
Written September 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyTraveller
38 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
I was hugely impressed by my visit to the Horniman Museum.
There was a great welcome at the main entrance and the children loved the free galleries, especially the world gallery and seeing the walrus. There was a handling table where my little niece loved touching the snakeskin. They loved the musical instrument galleries and playing all the different instruments.
We paid for the aquarium and butterfly house and it was well worth it. The boys and girls with us (2, 6, 8 and 11) all loved these. The guide in the Butterfly House who took the time to show us all the chrysalis under a leaf made the visit there.
We had a child with Autism with us and I was very impressed by the museum approach to ASD. I called in advance. There was a queue skip option and although we didn’t need to ask to use it knowing it was there really helped both the child in question and the adults. There is an amazing quiet space just off the music galleries with floor mats, cushions and books and he loved this. It made me realise that just that little bit of time to recharge in a peaceful space was something that made such a difference. Thank you Horniman Museum ❤️
Just one small suggestion - when I called to say I was bringing a child with autism the quiet room wasn’t mentioned. It would be great to suggest to all staff they highlight this.
There was a great welcome at the main entrance and the children loved the free galleries, especially the world gallery and seeing the walrus. There was a handling table where my little niece loved touching the snakeskin. They loved the musical instrument galleries and playing all the different instruments.
We paid for the aquarium and butterfly house and it was well worth it. The boys and girls with us (2, 6, 8 and 11) all loved these. The guide in the Butterfly House who took the time to show us all the chrysalis under a leaf made the visit there.
We had a child with Autism with us and I was very impressed by the museum approach to ASD. I called in advance. There was a queue skip option and although we didn’t need to ask to use it knowing it was there really helped both the child in question and the adults. There is an amazing quiet space just off the music galleries with floor mats, cushions and books and he loved this. It made me realise that just that little bit of time to recharge in a peaceful space was something that made such a difference. Thank you Horniman Museum ❤️
Just one small suggestion - when I called to say I was bringing a child with autism the quiet room wasn’t mentioned. It would be great to suggest to all staff they highlight this.
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review and we're so glad that you all had a nice time. We've passed your comments onto the team!
Written March 31, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VinnieLondon
Doha, Qatar9,436 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
Museum and gardens located in Forest Hill on South Circular London Road. Street parking at back of gardens. Gardens themselves worth a visit with some great views over London, and some interesting gardens (Sunken garden and Prairie garden) which must look spectacular in the summer. There is also a Butterfly house which you can buy separate tickets for in the museum as well as a small farm including Llamas. A nice museum cafe in gardens as well. Must book tickets/time slots in advance on line and then pay extra for the Aquarium, current visiting exhibits and the Butterfly house. Current Monkey Business (World Wildlife conservation) and Hair (history and applications for hair) were both really interesting and well presented. The original galleries are of course still interesting and the World Gallery showcasing different cultures is very engaging and cleverly displayed. Great interactive exhibits throughout the museum and work spaces for children. Great little museum and gardens in the heart of South East London well worth a visit.
Written December 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and great pictures.
Written December 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AussiesBallarat
Ballarat, Australia811 contributions
May 2022
As visitors from Australia, previously we had not visited this museum because we thought public-transport access would be difficult, but persevering this time proved our concerns unfounded - it was two easy bus rides from Clapham, where we were staying. The museum was founded in 1901 by Frederick John Horniman. Frederick had inherited his father's Horniman's Tea business, which by 1891 had become the world's biggest tea trading business. The proceeds from the business allowed Horniman to indulge his lifelong passion for collecting which, after travelling extensively, had some 30,000 items in his various collections. In 1911 an additional building to the west of the main building was donated by Frederick Horniman's son Emslie, and a new extension opened in 2002.
It has displays of anthropology, natural history and musical instruments, and is known for its large collection of taxidermied animals. In the grounds is an ornate glass and wrought iron conservatory relocated from the Horniman family home property, and perfect for its current wedding business. The Horniman now has a collection of 350,000 objects an aquarium and extensive gardens including a Butterfly House.
We were ready for lunch when we arrived just after 12.15, but the weather meant there were no tables available in the cafe indoor space, so we decided to visit the natural history gallery, which included a number of exhibits originally from Australia.
There now was space in the cafe; however, as the rain had stopped, we actually sat outdoors under a large umbrella. We then resumed visiting the galleries; we found the one about human hair to be creepy, and the one about musical instruments to be fascinating.
We did not spend a lot of time exploring the gardens, as the weather was threatening, but, being in an elevated position, there was a great distant view of the city. On a better day, however, time in the gardens would reward curiosity.
Since our visit the Horniman was awarded Museum of the Year - a worthy outcome.
It has displays of anthropology, natural history and musical instruments, and is known for its large collection of taxidermied animals. In the grounds is an ornate glass and wrought iron conservatory relocated from the Horniman family home property, and perfect for its current wedding business. The Horniman now has a collection of 350,000 objects an aquarium and extensive gardens including a Butterfly House.
We were ready for lunch when we arrived just after 12.15, but the weather meant there were no tables available in the cafe indoor space, so we decided to visit the natural history gallery, which included a number of exhibits originally from Australia.
There now was space in the cafe; however, as the rain had stopped, we actually sat outdoors under a large umbrella. We then resumed visiting the galleries; we found the one about human hair to be creepy, and the one about musical instruments to be fascinating.
We did not spend a lot of time exploring the gardens, as the weather was threatening, but, being in an elevated position, there was a great distant view of the city. On a better day, however, time in the gardens would reward curiosity.
Since our visit the Horniman was awarded Museum of the Year - a worthy outcome.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for your review. We are pleased to hear you had such an enjoyable visit.
Written October 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen H
New Malden, UK2 contributions
Sep 2021
What a fantastic little museum! I can’t believe I’ve never been before. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
I took my 10 year old son on a school inset day. I thought we’d spend no more than a couple of hours there and to be honest, I only booked the trip to avoid my son spending an entire day playing on tech.
But to my amazement, we spent five hours at the Horniman and the time just flew by! The aquarium was a particular hit - well worth the small additional entrance fee. We enjoyed the butterfly house and I practically had to tear my son out of World gallery! There’s loads of interactive elements that encourage you to engage with the information on offer. But what makes this museum so engaging is its eclectic nature. The themes are diverse and include natural history, black music in the UK, cultures of the world and the evolution of primates (to name a few). This diversity creates an environment where there really is something for everyone. It’s really very special.
All the staff we encountered were polite, professional and pleasant. I’d like to give a special shout-out to the girl in the butterfly house who was a mine of information.
There’s a lovely cafe serving a good range of food, but for those on a budget there’s plenty of tables for eating a picnic lunch, including a beautiful Victorian style glass house/conservatory next to the cafe for indoor eating. The gardens are beautiful and I’d love to explore them in more detail during our next visit. Sadly, we ran out of time on this visit.
I’d like to go back on a weekend, as I believe there are regular events that take place in the gardens. There’s also a market in the gardens on Sundays which would be right up my husband’s street.
If you haven’t been to the Horniman before, I’d recommend you give it a shot.
I took my 10 year old son on a school inset day. I thought we’d spend no more than a couple of hours there and to be honest, I only booked the trip to avoid my son spending an entire day playing on tech.
But to my amazement, we spent five hours at the Horniman and the time just flew by! The aquarium was a particular hit - well worth the small additional entrance fee. We enjoyed the butterfly house and I practically had to tear my son out of World gallery! There’s loads of interactive elements that encourage you to engage with the information on offer. But what makes this museum so engaging is its eclectic nature. The themes are diverse and include natural history, black music in the UK, cultures of the world and the evolution of primates (to name a few). This diversity creates an environment where there really is something for everyone. It’s really very special.
All the staff we encountered were polite, professional and pleasant. I’d like to give a special shout-out to the girl in the butterfly house who was a mine of information.
There’s a lovely cafe serving a good range of food, but for those on a budget there’s plenty of tables for eating a picnic lunch, including a beautiful Victorian style glass house/conservatory next to the cafe for indoor eating. The gardens are beautiful and I’d love to explore them in more detail during our next visit. Sadly, we ran out of time on this visit.
I’d like to go back on a weekend, as I believe there are regular events that take place in the gardens. There’s also a market in the gardens on Sundays which would be right up my husband’s street.
If you haven’t been to the Horniman before, I’d recommend you give it a shot.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this recommendation. It sounds as if your son had a wonderful experience in the Museum and we hope you all get to explore the Gardens on your next visit.
Written September 21, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Platvisit
9 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
A well organised museum that caters for all. The museum is situated at the entrance to the gardens. The main exhibition always has something on. They have the main museum, aquarium and exhibitions which run throughout the year. With Covid this led to online bookings in order to manage the flow of users. There is an animal walk and the butterfly house in the gardens. There is also a lovely cafe in which I must recommend the soup of the day. If you are on a budget then the gardens have more than enough seating areas if you carry a packed lunch.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review.
Written August 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stacey C
Surrey, UK5 contributions
Mar 2022
My son and I had the BEST day out here. There's so much to do. We went around the natural history section and the educational room which had lots of interactive resources for little inquisitive hands to do. My son loved the fact that after seeing all the animals in the displays that he could actually stroke a badger and fox. Great idea. There were also free exhibitions here to walk round. We saw the 'Hair' exhibition which was interesting and again things to do rather than look and read on a screen or play a video game. The paying exhibitions are at a good afford able price and worth the money. We went to the Cat and Dog, Aquarium and the Butterfly House exhibition. All amazing. Great for all ages. We want to go back already.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your review!
Written June 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AishaGS
London, UK77 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Beautiful grounds which have been done up to a lovely standard.
The conservatory is absolutely stunning & you can eat in there.
The museum was a life line when my children were younger - interactive exhibitions which taught them a real love of history & learning. The aquarium is a cute touch & there is just so much packed into this tiny jewel of a place.
Staff always friendly & facilities always clean. Street parking nearby but also near transport.
Love that the museum information includes revisions that reflect modern understandings of how colonisation saw/shaped the world - as a Londoner of colour, was extremely impressed to see history being taught in a true way.
In August, also hosts the Jerk cookout now which is fab - really fun day out with good food, music & nice family friendly atmosphere.
The conservatory is absolutely stunning & you can eat in there.
The museum was a life line when my children were younger - interactive exhibitions which taught them a real love of history & learning. The aquarium is a cute touch & there is just so much packed into this tiny jewel of a place.
Staff always friendly & facilities always clean. Street parking nearby but also near transport.
Love that the museum information includes revisions that reflect modern understandings of how colonisation saw/shaped the world - as a Londoner of colour, was extremely impressed to see history being taught in a true way.
In August, also hosts the Jerk cookout now which is fab - really fun day out with good food, music & nice family friendly atmosphere.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Aisha,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thorough review. We are pleased you enjoyed your visit.
Written August 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
weezglass
gravesend15 contributions
Apr 2022
Really lovely place to visit with the family. We have been visiting for years and know the permanent galleries well, but with the temporary exhibitions changing regularly, there is always something new to see. Our most recent visit was on a Sunday, so started by sampling a few treats at the farmers market. The children really enjoyed the cats and dogs exhibition in the basement, which had lots of interactive games and activities. We also enjoyed the free exhibition exploring hair, which was very though provoking. We stopped for a quick coffee and a delicious cake in the cafe, which seems to cope really well with the number of people who pass through, and took our drinks across to the beautiful conservatory.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Weezglass,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are pleased you enjoyed your visit.
Written June 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Borisandhis60kids
London, UK7 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
This is a museum that just keeps on giving.
Me and my family have been to this museum many times over the years and it still surprises me how family friendly and interesting it is. One of the things that I really enjoyed was the animal bone exhibit where we saw the famed walrus as well as evolution of wolves into our beloved house hold pet, the dog. Children really enjoy the interactive part of the museum where they can stroke the pelts of animals and hear the many sound of birds by spinning a wheel.
I highly recommend this museum to anyone with a family or is just interested in the history of the world.
Me and my family have been to this museum many times over the years and it still surprises me how family friendly and interesting it is. One of the things that I really enjoyed was the animal bone exhibit where we saw the famed walrus as well as evolution of wolves into our beloved house hold pet, the dog. Children really enjoy the interactive part of the museum where they can stroke the pelts of animals and hear the many sound of birds by spinning a wheel.
I highly recommend this museum to anyone with a family or is just interested in the history of the world.
Written December 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, we are glad to see you have kept visiting over the years and that you enjoy the Natural History Gallery. We hope we can welcome our visitors back to the Museum soon.
Written January 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nm L
4 contributions
How long do I need to allow between each attraction. We'd like to visit the Musuem, see the cat and dog exhibition, go to the aquarium and the butterfly house. How much time do I need to allow between each timed booking slots?
Stacey C
Surrey, UK5 contributions
It doesn't matter how long as once you are there you can go into to any of them at anytime. I booked an hour between each exhibition, but I'd say that was too long probably 30/45 minutes. But, like I said once you are there you could go into any of them on any order.
Do I have to buy the tickets for the “colour: the rainbow revealed “ exhibition online or in advance? Or can I buy them when I get there?
Remy S
London, UK297 contributions
I highly suggest that you buy the tickets online as it will save you time and avoid you queuing as well. But yes, you can buy the tickets on site.
Sam_MM
London21 contributions
Is the crazy golf, and bach to music included in the annual membership? Thanks
HornimanMuseum
London, UK1 contribution
Hi Sam, Plonk! Mini Golf and Bach to Baby are not covered by the annual membership. Plonk! is part of an external partnership and Bach to Baby is part of a fundraising project for the new World Gallery.
littlerainbow
Essex, England2 contributions
is the horniman museum open all year round and is entrance free?
HornimanMuseum
London, UK1 contribution
Hi Littlerainbow
The Horniman Museum and Gardens are free in the main, but there is a fee for entry to the Aquarium (Child £2.20; Adult: £4.40; Family - 2 adults & 2 children £9.90) and some events.
I hope this helps, but let us know if you have any other questions.
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Horniman Museum and Gardens (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Horniman Museum and Gardens
- Horniman Museum and Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Hotels near Horniman Museum and Gardens:
- (1.47 mi) The Lilac Door
- (0.41 mi) All Inn One Pub
- (0.09 mi) Modern, Victorian 4 Bed Spacious Flat Forest Hill | South London
- (1.89 mi) The Half Moon
- (3.97 mi) 69TheGrove
- Restaurants near Horniman Museum and Gardens:
- (0.02 mi) Horniman Museum Café
- (0.23 mi) The Teapot Forest Hill
- (0.22 mi) Matoom
- (0.24 mi) The India Gate
- (0.30 mi) Canvas & Cream
- Attractions near Horniman Museum and Gardens:
- (0.01 mi) Horniman Market
- (0.35 mi) Sylvan Post
- (0.36 mi) The Montage
- (0.36 mi) The Bird in Hand
- (0.62 mi) ExposureWorks