After three years of living in South London, a local resident has uncovered what they call the area's 'best-kept secret': the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill. The attraction offers free entry to its museum and gardens, along with panoramic views of the London skyline, a farmer's market, a city farm, and paid attractions including an aquarium and butterfly house.
A Hangover Leads to a Discovery
Charlie Sawyer, a lifestyle reporter who has lived in South London for three years, stumbled upon the Horniman after planning to visit a museum closer to home. Nursing a hangover, Sawyer avoided the trip into Central London to see the Tate Modern or British Museum, instead convincing their girlfriend to find an exhibition nearby. After a quick WhatsApp exchange with friends who recommended the Horniman, they took the bus from Brixton station to Forest Hill.
The Horniman Museum is instantly recognizable by its large clock tower visible from the street. As visitors walk up the path toward the main gardens, traffic noise fades, replaced by the smell of samosas drifting from the top of the hill, according to Sawyer's account.
What to Do at the Horniman Museum and Gardens
A Sunday visit typically begins at the weekend market, located next to the bandstand. Food stalls, vendors selling ceramics, vinyls, and jewellery, and grocers offering organic produce are among the attractions. With views of the entire city, it's a prime spot for lunch and people-watching.
On certain weekends, the bandstand hosts events. Upcoming in August is 'Music Jerk 'n Tings', a day festival celebrating Caribbean culture with live music and family activities, plus a Wild Champagne Making and Tasting workshop. The Kusuma Nature Play Area, requiring no booking, features a climbing web, den building frame, timber balance beams, and log steps.
Back down the hill, the main building entrance leads to what Sawyer describes as the best museum cafe in the South East. Colicci serves fresh baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and hot meals, with a smashed burger being a recent highlight. Sawyer advises not to leave without trying the Lemon Drizzle cake.
Free Attractions and Paid Extras
The museum and gardens are completely free, but the Butterfly House and Aquarium require tickets. Adult admission is £8.70 for the Butterfly House and £5.70 for the Aquarium. Visitors should note that butterflies have no sense of personal space, so it may be best to skip this attraction if you have an aversion to flying bugs, according to previous visitors.
The main museum houses the World Gallery, a single large space with over 3,000 objects from cultures around the world. Exhibits cover climate change, migration, displacement, and artwork from ancient civilisations. The museum also features stories rarely seen in mainstream media; a recent exhibition focused on Indian transgender culture through images by Zoya Thomas Lobo, India's first transgender photojournalist.
For families, the Horniman is notably baby-friendly, with baby changing facilities throughout, dedicated breastfeeding spaces, lifts, ramps, and step-free access. For those receiving Universal Credit, reduced-price tickets for paid attractions are available from just £2 per person, according to a social media post by @roamingldn.
Getting to the Horniman Museum
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, making it accessible even for those north of the river. Sawyer concludes, 'Now, off you go!'
