After three years living in South London, a resident has discovered what they call the area's 'best-kept secret': the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill. The attraction is free to enter, filled with green spaces, and offers views of the London skyline.
A chance discovery
The writer, who had planned to spend a Sunday in a museum, ended up at the Horniman after nursing a hangover and deciding against travelling into Central London to visit the Tate Modern or British Museum. After a quick WhatsApp exchange with friends who had recommended the museum, they took the bus from Brixton station to Forest Hill.
The museum is recognisable by its large clock tower seen from the street. Entrance is free, and visitors are drawn up the path towards the main gardens, where the noise of traffic fades and the smell of samosas drifts down from the top of the hill.
What to do at the Horniman
A Sunday at the Horniman Museum and Gardens starts at the weekend market, situated next to the bandstand. Food stalls, vendors selling ceramics, vinyls, and jewellery, and grocers offering organic produce are available. On certain weekends throughout the year, the bandstand hosts events and celebrations, including 'Music Jerk 'n Tings' in August, a day festival celebrating Caribbean culture with live music and family activities, and a Wild Champagne Making and Tasting workshop.
The Kusuma Nature Play Area requires no booking and has a climbing web, den building frame, timber balance beams, and log steps. The main building is home to what the writer describes as the best museum cafe in the South East. Colicci serves fresh baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and hot meals, with a smashed burger recommended, along with the Lemon Drizzle cake.
Inside the museum
The main museum is free to explore and includes the World Gallery, a large space housing over 3,000 objects from different cultures around the world. Visitors can read stories about climate change, migration and displacement, and see artwork and objects from ancient civilisations. One recent exhibition focused on Indian transgender culture, through images captured by Zoya Thomas Lobo, India's first transgender photojournalist.
Paid attractions include the Butterfly House and the Aquarium, with adult tickets at £8.70 and £5.70, respectively. Previous visitors have noted that the butterflies have no sense of personal space. The museum also offers reduced-price tickets for paid attractions to those receiving Universal Credit, with tickets available from £2 per person.
Getting there
The museum has a bus stop directly outside and is a five to ten minute walk from Forest Hill station, which serves the Windrush line and National Rail.
