Horniman Museum and Gardens

We are the Horniman Museum and Gardens, an inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022!

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, a Butterfly House and Natural History collection. Learn more about the History of the Horniman Museum and Gardens.

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.

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.