Horniman Museum and Gardens unveils plans for nature learning area

Opening as part of the London museum’s 125th anniversary year, there will also be a number of new attractions and opportunities to engage in nature. 

Michael Salter-Church MBE, chair of the Horniman, said: “Opening in the Horniman’s 125th year, these new features in the Gardens will help visitors learn about the natural world and provide new welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy for years to come. They embody the Horniman’s ethos and purpose and will help us celebrate our birthday!”

School groups: learning and wellbeing opportunities

Kusuma Nature Play is set to be an engaging space encouraging learning and wellbeing through nature and play. It will feature a children’s play area inspired by local wildlife, as well as direct access onto the Horniman’s historic Nature Trail.

The Horniman’s Nature Trail will offer step-free access, ensuring more school groups have the opportunity to explore the 700m long trail home to a wide variety of plants, birds, insects and other animals.

An augmented reality trail will be launched across the gardens, featuring a cast of animated animals for visitors to meet, with challenges and mini games to play along the way. Elsewhere, the Gardens Nursery will will feature new glasshouses, a public boardwalk route, and workshop space offering chance to learn about sustainable gardening.

In early 2027 the Horniman’s popular natural history gallery will reopen to the public, with an entirely redisplayed gallery space exploring humankind’s relationship with, and impact on, the natural world.

School visits to the attraction

Horniman Museum and Gardens welcomes school groups to discover the free galleries, gardens and animal walk, or book to visit the aquarium, butterfly house and temporary exhibitions.

Schools can also book a curriculum-linked object handling workshops, or book an outdoor workshop experiencing the gardens and pond. Workshops explore subjects including history, geography, science and outdoor learning.