Horniman Museum and Gardens

Horniman Museum and Gardens is a Forest Hill outing that combines collections about global cultures and the natural world with space outdoors. Musical instruments and the gardens give the visit its own character, well away from the queues of South Kensington.

Allow two to three hours and choose between the open museum galleries, gardens and separately ticketed attractions. The Natural History Gallery is currently closed for refurbishment, so do not build the visit around that collection until reopening is confirmed. The museum's address is 100 London Road, within reach of Forest Hill station.

The museum and gardens are free; the aquarium, Butterfly House and some events or exhibitions carry separate charges. Check those tickets and the current accessibility guidance before travelling. Opening times differ between the building, gardens and paid attractions, so a single closing time does not cover the entire site.

Ordinary pets do not enter the museum core. Dogs are welcome on leads in the gardens, with Nature Trail and play-area restrictions; that outdoor access does not include museum admission. Assistance animals follow separate rules.