Several new outdoor spaces, including a community garden and nature-themed play area, have been unveiled as the London museum marks its 125th anniversary.
The new openings are part of the Horniman’s Nature + Love project as supported by the National Lottery Fund, an initiative to create more opportunities for visitors to engage in nature through play and learning.
As part of the project, a Community Garden and Gardens Nursery have been developed with local community partners and the NHS to provide a space for ‘respite and reflection’ that is hoped to build a lifelong connection to nature.
This garden will be used as an active learning space for young people with activities including seed bomb creation and practical sessions on how to grow, care for and harvest plants. Topics covered include biodiversity, nutrition and mindful nature connection.
Errol Fernandes, head of horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “Gardening is a great way to connect with nature, and to nurture ourselves – our coexistence and partnership with the natural world has never been so important.”
A new glasshouse, public terrace and workshop space make up the transformed Gardens Nursery. School groups will be able to learn about sustainable gardening, how to do it at home and how the Horniman puts it into practise, such as rainwater harvesting at the new Nursery and the planting of the micro forest.
Connection through play
Another highlight across the 16-acre gardens is the new Kusuma Nature Play, a nature-themed play area for children which encourages learning, wellbeing and connection with nature. The play area features balance beams, a den building frame, climbing webs and lookout points, along with nature-specific areas such as the robin-themed nest hedge and eggs.
There’s also tactile equipment for younger children and sensory multi-seasonal planting to benefit visitors and local biodiversity. A ramp connects the play area to the historic Nature Trail, which is now supported with interpretation panels featuring facts about area and the diverse wildlife to be found along the 800m trail, including stag beetles and the hairy-footed flower bee.
Peronel Craddock, director of content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “Play is universal, and learning through outdoor play has proven benefits for children’s wellbeing. This new play area starts with the idea of connecting children with nature through play, in particular the wildlife in our local area.”
More to see
As part of the Nature + Love project, the Horniman has also launched a new AR experience, Animals Everywhere, for children to engage with throughout the gardens. The free interactive trail allows visitors to meet animated creatures around the site, including feeding the famous Horniman walrus, try challenges and play mini games. The trail is accessed by scanning a code, so no download or fees required.
The Horniman Museum has also announced that the historic Natural History Gallery will reopen in early 2027 following an extensive refurbishment. Beloved specimens including the walrus will remain, but the gallery will be redesigned with a focus on human impact on the planet and how we can make a difference at both a local and personal level.
School visits
It’s free to visit the galleries, gardens and animal walk at Horniman Museum, based in Forest Hill in London, and access to the aquarium, butterfly house and temporary exhibits is offered at a reduced rate.
Workshops are also available that cover topics across history, geography, and science, including Amazon Rainforest, Ancient Egypt and Animal Classification. Outdoor learning involves pond dipping and minibeast discovery sessions.
For more information on school visits at Horniman Museum and Gardens go to: horniman.ac.uk/schools.
