Horniman Museum and Gardens
- Natural history enthusiasts
- Music lovers
- Families with children
What Visitors Say
The Horniman Museum is such a beautiful and well-maintained place, perfect for a day out with family or friends. One of the best things is that entry to the museum and gardens is completely free, although you'll need separate tickets if you want to visit the aquarium or the butterfly house. There's so much to explore, from fascinating museum exhibits to animal trails, lovely gardens, children's playgrounds, and a café where you can relax after walking around. The entire place is clean, well-organised, and has a peaceful atmosphere. We visited during the museum's 125th birthday celebrations, and the experience was even more special. There were plenty of stalls, activities, and a dedicated play area for children, creating a lively and festive atmosphere that everyone could enjoy. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or simply looking for a fun family day out, the Horniman Museum has something for everyone. It's an excellent place to spend a few hours, and I would definitely recommend visiting if you're in London.
I walk in the gardens of horniman Museum and Garden. Where the atmosphere was beautiful, with pure air and a delightful blend of nature. There were towering trees in various colors, diverse small shrubs, stunning flower beds, and adorable animals in the garden. 🦋🌞🌳 I noticed many people often coming to walk, sip coffee, or bring their families for a stroll. This green space is excellent for boosting positivity in life. Additionally, if you have time, you can also visit the museum inside.☕🎋
Museum is 125 years old in 2026, it was donated to the people of london in 1901. The Natural history section with the iconic Walrus is closed till later in the year. Check before you go. The wonderful and quirky cultural hall is open as usual. The main museum is free, but you will need paid tickets for the Aquarium and Butterfly house. Both are incredible. Not cheap, but still great value for London.
I dont think I can put into a few words to describe what a fantastic place this is The gardens are extensive, some beds are set out with plants that have practical uses, the dye garden for instance Many families enjoying the sunshine today Inside exhibits include a small natural history display, and a vast amount of objects gathered from around the world, which I believe was the private collection of the Horniman family. Overwhelming, again many people enjoying their time browsing. I didn't visit the butterfly house, or the aquarium,there is simply too much to take in, on a single visit. There is also a very nice cafe here, and to round off, there was a wedding going on !
We had such a beautiful day at the Horniman Museum with the kids – it’s honestly one of the best family-friendly places in London. The animal farm was a big hit, especially for little ones who love seeing and getting close to animals. It’s small but really well kept and perfect for a relaxed visit. The butterfly house was magical 🦋✨ – having butterflies fly around and even land on you makes it such a special experience. It felt calm, warm, and memorable. The aquarium and underwater voyage section were also lovely – not too overwhelming, but enough to keep children engaged and curious. The displays are colourful and easy for kids to enjoy. There are also great play areas around the gardens, which made the whole day feel balanced – a mix of learning, exploring, and just letting the kids run free. Overall, it’s a perfect day out with children – calm, educational, and full of little magical moments. We’ll definitely be visiting again
Highlights
The Walrus
London’s famous overstuffed walrusTaxidermists in the 1880s had never seen a live walrus, so they over-filled the skin until the folds disappeared, creating the museum’s most loved oddity.
Ground floor, Natural History Gallery
Music Gallery
Global instruments collectionAn award-winning space showing thousands of instruments from every continent, with sound stations that let you hear how each family sings and resonates.
Ground floor, Music Gallery
World Gallery
Cultures and stories worldwideOpen since 2018, the gallery brings together objects and voices from across the globe, exploring identity, belief and everyday life through vivid displays.
Ground floor, World Gallery
Aquarium
Living ecosystems in miniatureFrom coral reefs to mangroves, small tanks show how habitats work as systems; look for seahorses and the mangrove roots alive with tiny creatures.
Lower ground floor
Gardens View
16 acres of hillside gardensLaid out on a south London ridge, the Grade II-listed gardens sweep over 16 acres and frame one of London’s loveliest skyline panoramas.
Terraces and bandstand, outdoors
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Horniman won the Art Fund Museum of the Year award in 2022.
The gardens cover 16 acres and are listed at Grade II for historic interest.
In 2022 the museum returned 72 Benin objects to Nigeria after a provenance review.
The famous walrus was overstuffed in the 1880s because taxidermists hadn’t seen a live one.
Frederick Horniman opened the museum in 1901 using wealth from his family tea business.
