The Horniman Museum
The works of Frederick John Horniman
100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ
Free
Ranked in top 10 coolest museums in the world by the New York Times, The Horniman museum is tucked away in a corner of South East London and thus easily overlooked. If I'm completely honest, I'd never heard of it before moving to South East and someone recommending it as it was near by, but after visiting I can definitely see why it's so highly regarded!
The Horniman has an array of different activities, and you can easily spend a day in grounds of the museum without even stepping foot in the building itself. There is a vast and beautiful garden, with some pretty decent views over the city, as well as a small animal walk and a butterfly farm. The Horniman is an excellent place for a sunny family day out, there's a cafe and restaurant on campus meaning you needn't leave the premises.
Inside the museum is Frederick John Horniman's collection of taxidermy and fossilised animals. It reminded me a lot of 'The Museum of Ordinary Animals' in Euston - however, these animals are much bigger, much cooler and much less ordinary. The famous centrepiece of a gigantic Walrus is surrounded by anything from monkey skeletons to full on stuffed Tigers (a piece currently on loan from the Natural History Museum). Kids will love exploring the works on display here, and if they're bored of mammals and want to go check out some fish (alive fish at that), there is an Aquarium downstairs.
The museum also houses a collection of musical instruments, and a room where you can go and try some out for yourself - just adding to the interactive and fun atmosphere the Horniman exudes wherever you go. Whilst a few of the attractions you have to pay for (Aquarium and Butterfly house), the entrance and majority of attractions are all free - just one of the reasons why I love London. Go to the Horniman to see dead animals, live animals, have a picnic, see a view, go on a walk or play some music - the possibilities are endless!
OVERALL RATING: ****
https://www.horniman.ac.uk/
