Horniman Museum and Gardens

Do you ever have those weekends, when you want to get out and do something different? 

Last Saturday we decided to head to Forest Hill (South East London) to visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens (open daily 10.30am-5.30pm
admission to the museum and gardens is free).  

The outside is beautiful with mosaics and wonderful carvings in Doulting stone.

The museum sits on the site of Frederick Horniman's original home a Victorian villa, which was converted into a museum in 1891. Frederick was a Victorian tea trader and philanthropist. 

First on the list was visiting the gallery packed full of historical taxidermy. For those of you who do not like this sort of thing look away now. 

The Walrus below is massive in size and has a commanding pair of tusks.

Most of the taxidermy is over 100 years old, collected during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. A time when naturalists and collectors were exploring and travelling the globe.   

Next up on our visit was the aquarium, a journey through the seas and oceans. It costs £3.50 for adults and £1.50 for children. 

There is something very relaxing about watching pelagic jellyfish in their tank floating around. 

We had a wonderful day mooching around the museum and finished off eating an ice cream in the wonderful gardens. This is the perfect place to bring little ones to burn off some steam or have a picnic. 

If you ever fancied petting a cute alpaca, then your in luck. In 2013 a new animal walk was opened that lets visitors walk through the close encounter enclosures to see and pet sheep, goats and alpacas.

Every Saturday in the gardens they also have a wonderful farmer's market 9am -1.30pm. Want to see what is on offer and the food being sold take a look here.  

How do you spend your perfect weekend?

100 London Road
Forest Hill
London 
SE23 3PQ

www.horniman.ac.uk