Horniman Museum & Gardens: Visitor Guide, Family Activities & What’s On

Latest Update

Updated 23 October 2026: the Horniman Museum & Gardens is celebrating its 125th anniversary year, with the new free Kusuma Nature Play Area, improved step-free access to the Nature Trail, the free Octonauts trail and the ticketed Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures exhibition running until 1 November 2026.

What’s On: November and December 2026

Updated 23 October 2026 from the Horniman’s official November–December press listings. The museum is generally free to enter, but selected activities cost extra. Check the official What’s On calendar for booking availability and last-minute changes.

Guided Fungi Walk — 8 November

Sunday 8 November, 1–4pm · £40 · adults only. Join Rights for Weeds for a guided fungi walk exploring identification, ecology, folklore and traditional uses, with a hands-on edible-making activity. Advance booking required. This is one for nature lovers and anyone interested in the more curious side of woodland history.

Free events and exhibitions

• Free Saturday family crafts: 7, 14, 21 and 28 November; 5, 12 and 19 December. Drop-in activities for ages 3+.
• Hear It Live: free music performances, 12 November and 10 December, 3.30–4pm.
• Meeting Mohini: free photography exhibition until 15 November.
• Un-collectable / منّا وفينا: free exhibition opening 4 December, shaped by South-West Asian and North African communities.
• Horniman Market Christmas Special: Sunday 6 December, 10am–3pm; free entry.
• Animals Everywhere!: free augmented-reality animal trail in the Gardens; use your smartphone, no app download needed.

More dates for the diary

• The Walrus Returns!: 18 November, 6.30–8.45pm; £50, ages 16+. Behind-the-scenes tour ahead of the Nature Gallery reopening.
• Creative Creatures Play: 2 December–20 January; 60-minute animal-inspired play sessions for under-7s. Children £7.50; adults £3. Multiple daily sessions, booking required.
• Un-collectable Late: 3 December, 5.30–9.30pm; ticket price to be checked on the official website.

Planning note: the Nature Gallery and Nature Base remain closed until 5 February 2027. The museum is closed 24–26 December. General museum admission is free; the Aquarium and Butterfly House have separate admission charges, with £2 Universal Credit tickets listed in the press information.

Nature Gallery Reopens 5 February 2027

Coming in 2027: the Horniman Museum & Gardens will reopen its fully refurbished Nature Gallery on Friday 5 February 2027, marking the final stage of its £12.5 million Nature + Love project.

The reimagined gallery will bring together more than 2,300 objects from the collection alongside familiar favourites, including the much-loved Horniman Walrus. New displays will explore the variety of life on Earth, our relationship with nature and the impact people have on the natural world, including stories around extinction, climate change and positive action.

What Will Be New?

• New artist commissions and reimagined displays.
• A hands-on Nature Discovery Den developed with and for families with young children.
• Multisensory interactives designed to encourage exploration.
• A dramatic new ceiling projection.
• A display about plastic pollution created by young curators.
• Contributions co-produced with local schools and community groups.

The Nature Discovery Den will use games and multisensory features to introduce younger children to local wildlife. The Grade II listed gallery itself has also undergone extensive renovation while retaining historic cases and architectural features familiar to generations of visitors.

Nature + Love

The reopening completes the Horniman’s ambitious £12.5 million Nature + Love project. Earlier work included Kusuma Nature Play, the free Animals Everywhere! augmented-reality trail across the Gardens, a Gardens Cafe, improved access to the Nature Trail, a Gardens Nursery and Community Garden.

The project has been made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, alongside DCMS’s Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, Kusuma Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and other donors. The Horniman is also crowdfunding towards the final costs of reopening the Nature Gallery, with supporter rewards including opportunities connected with the walrus and new ceiling projection.

Overview

The Horniman Museum & Gardens in Forest Hill is one of South East London’s strongest family attractions, combining museum collections, gardens, an aquarium, outdoor play, trails and a changing programme of exhibitions and events. General entry to the museum and gardens is free, although the Aquarium, some exhibitions and selected events are separately ticketed.

In 2026 the Horniman is marking 125 years since opening, with new nature-focused family spaces and accessibility improvements across the estate.

Free Things to Do

• Explore the main museum galleries that are currently open.
• Visit the gardens and outdoor spaces.
• Use the free Kusuma Nature Play Area.
• Pick up the free Octonauts: Adventure at the Horniman trail until 1 November 2026.
• Browse the Horniman Market on selected Sundays.
• Look out for free family craft sessions and drop-in activities.

Kusuma Nature Play Area

Kusuma Nature Play opened as part of the Horniman’s 2026 Nature + Love project. The free outdoor play area is designed for children aged 0–11 and uses nature-inspired structures, tactile elements and play opportunities. It also gives easier access to the historic Nature Trail, including a ramped route for visitors who may find the stairs at other entrances difficult.

The play area is open during Gardens hours and does not need advance booking.

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures runs until 1 November 2026. Inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the interactive family exhibition is designed for children aged 2+ and families.

Current standard prices start at £9.80 for adults and £7 for children, with family pricing available. Universal Credit tickets are currently listed at £2, under-3s are free, and access companion tickets are free. The exhibition is wheelchair accessible, with seating and assistance animals welcome.

Octonauts: Adventure at the Horniman

The free Octonauts trail also runs until 1 November 2026. Families can collect a trail from the Ticket Desk and complete mini-missions around the Museum and Gardens, including a bonus outdoor section in the Sound Garden.

October Half-Term 2026: Events and Activities

Forest Hill, 25–31 October. General admission to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free; selected workshops and festivals are ticketed.

• In Our Hands with Charlotte Mensah: 25 October, 11am–2pm. Hair, memory and identity through mini-masterclasses, zines and family activities; ticketed.
• The Enchanted Cinema: The Music of Spirit Animals: 25 October at 11.30am and 1.30pm; 26 October at 10am, noon and 2pm. Ages 5–12 with adults; £10 per person; 60 minutes.
• Octonauts and the Great Ghost Reef: 27 and 28 October at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm and 2.15pm. Storytelling and recycled-paper coral reef craft; £8.50 per child including an accompanying adult; 45 minutes.
• Day of the Dead Family Festival: 31 October, 11am–4pm. Mexican dance, music, food, markets, storytelling and crafts. Adult £8, child £6, under-2s free; advance booking required.
• Day of the Dead Evening Fiesta: 31 October, 7–10.30pm. An 18+ night of music, DJs and Mexican food and drink; £22, advance booking required.

Free activities: Octonauts trail (to 1 November), Kusuma Nature Play, Nature Trail, Community Garden, Animals Everywhere! digital trail, British Wildlife Photography Awards and Saturday family crafts.

Last chance: Voyage to the Deep closes 1 November. Adult £9.80, child £7, families of three £20.20 or four £27; under-3s free and Universal Credit £2. Book ahead where possible.

Practicalities: Museum open daily 10am–5.30pm. The Nature Gallery and Nature Base remain closed until February 2027. See Horniman’s official events calendar for bookings and changes.

Guided Fungi Walk with Rights for Weeds – 8 November 2026

Looking for an autumn nature activity with a little woodland magic? The Horniman is hosting a Guided Fungi Walk with Rights for Weeds on Sunday 8 November 2026. Explore the event details and booking information through the Horniman What’s On calendar before making plans. We have requested a press place but attendance is not confirmed; this is a preview, not a review.

Accessibility & SEN-Aware Planning

The Horniman provides detailed access information and is one of the more useful South London attractions for planning ahead. The museum is wheelchair friendly, with lifts to exhibition areas and wheelchair-accessible toilets. Three wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge from the Ticket Desk.

The Horniman says term-time afternoons are usually the quietest period. Ear defenders can be requested at the front desk, and the venue publishes videos showing typical visitor levels, lighting and noise. Some galleries have low lighting, while torches and magnifying glasses can be borrowed. Large-print information, tactile maps and tactile objects are available in parts of the museum.

The gardens have concrete paths, although some routes are steep and can be more difficult in wet or frosty weather. The improved Nature Trail access introduced in 2026 adds a step-free route from Kusuma Nature Play.

Practical Information

• Address: Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ.
• General admission: Museum and gardens free; some attractions and exhibitions separately ticketed.
• Quietest time: The Horniman advises that term-time afternoons are usually quieter.
• Wheelchair hire: Three wheelchairs can be borrowed free from the Ticket Desk.
• Accessible toilets: Available in Gallery Square, the Gardens and near Kusuma Nature Play.
• Access companions: Free for ticketed attractions, but a ticket must still be booked.

Check the official Horniman What’s On page before travelling for current exhibitions, event times and ticket availability, and see the Horniman access guide for detailed planning information.

FAQ

Is the Horniman free?

General entry to the museum and gardens is free. Some exhibitions, the Aquarium and selected events are ticketed separately.

Is the Horniman good for children?

Yes. Free galleries, gardens, the Nature Play Area and family trails can all be combined with paid attractions such as the Aquarium or current exhibitions.

Is the Horniman suitable for neurodivergent visitors?

The venue provides detailed sensory and access information, typical-day videos, ear defenders, quieter-time guidance and occasional relaxed openings. Individual event access details should still be checked before booking.

More Lewisham on Clarissa’s Corner

For more nearby ideas, see our Lewisham Days Out, Events & Local Guide, covering Catford, Deptford, Forest Hill, New Cross and local parks and community events.