Founded by Victorian tea trader Frederick Horniman in 1901, the Horniman is where you can discover the natural and cultural world:
• Horniman Aquarium; dive into an underwater world
• Music Gallery; sound out instruments from every continent
• African Worlds; celebrate Africa’s history and diversity
• Centenary Gallery; encounter world cultures
• Natural History Gallery; step back in time
• Hands on Base; touch and explore real objects
• Library; find out more about the collections
• Gardens; enjoy 16 acres of beautiful green space
• Nature Base; explore the natural world with the Horniman beehive and fun
interactive displays
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Temporary Exhibitions
Myths and Monsters
Until Sun 5 Sept 2010
Cyclops, unicorn, yeti, dragon, the chimera… are these creatures real or imagined? Take a journey into the strange world of Myths and Monsters and unravel the truth behind universal legends and myths. Discover the origin of the Cyclops, the links between dragons and the dinosaurs, and possible evidence for the existence of the yeti.
Featuring a captivating mix of animatronics, specimens and photography, this celebrated blockbuster show explores some of our best known ancient myths and the possible scientific explanations behind them.
Temporary Exhibition Gallery
Adults £5, Concs £3, Children £2.50, Children under 3 FREE
Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £13
Schools (pre-booked) £2 per person
Schools (not pre-booked) £2.50 per person
Family season ticket £26
Online booking available
visit www.horniman.ac. uk/mythsandmonsters
Darwin 200 Photographic Competition: Exploring and Investigating Nature
Until Sun 11 Apr 2010
The winning competition entries from across the world, inspired by Darwin’s spirit of exploration and investigation. Nature lovers of all ages have been busy taking pictures of the creatures and plants around them and our top judges have
selected the best of the best for this engaging exhibition.
Gallery Square Free admission
Nature as Designer
Until Sun 9 May 2010
Simple elegant objects, both natural and man-made, act as inspiration to artists and designers. This unusual exhibition, created by Alison Milner and Steve Speller, combines photography, design and nature and includes beautiful large scale photographic images of objects displayed in unexpected and truly inventive ways.
Balcony Gallery Free admission
Tuareg: People of the Veil
Sat 27 Mar 2010 – Sun 27 Mar 2011
Tuareg: People of the Veil provides a fascinating insight into the culture of the Tuareg people of North West Africa, through the exploration of Tuareg clothing and jewellery.
Balcony Gallery Free admission
Allotment Life
Sat 24 Apr – Sun 17 Oct 2010
This exhibition combines indoor and outdoor elements to explore the allotment experience. In Gallery Square, photographs by artist Emma Wood capture the diversity of life on two local allotments. Outside, visit our food garden inspired by these communities.
Gardens & Gallery Square Free admission
Coal, Frankincense and Myrrh – Yemen and British Yemenis
Sat 15 May – Sun 14 Nov 2010
Britain’s Yemenis comprise the country’s oldest established Muslim community. This
exhibition explains how and why Yemeni people came to Britain, and how their migration is linked to Yemen’s ancient role as a trading nation as well as its close
relationship with Britain.
Balcony Gallery Free admission
Special Events
Thursday Lates
Experience a different view of the Horniman with our programme of late-night cultural events, typically held on the last Thursday of each month. Please book in advance for all Thursday Late events by emailing [email protected] or call 020 8291 8721.
Allotment Life
Thurs 29Apr 7– 9pm
Explore our food garden and ask our Gardeners’ advice about ‘growing your own’. Also, enjoy an opportunity to view our indoor photographic exhibition that captures the
diversity of life on two south east London allotments.
Gallery Square Free admission
Prehistoric Survivors?
Thurs 27 May 7– 8pm
Could sea monsters be based on surviving prehistoric creatures? Join Dr Darren Naish from the University of Portsmouth to explore the possibilities.
Gallery Square Free admission
The End of the Line
Thurs 24 June 7– 9pm
This powerful documentary examines the devastating effects of overfishing on our oceans and its implications for future generations. Followed by a Q&A session with our Aquarium team.
Music Gallery Performance Space Free admission
Myths and Dreams
Join us for a series of concerts exploring the magical side of musical imagination and the ancient stories and passions that have inspired composers and audiences of every generation.
Badke Quartet
Sun 2 May 3 – 4.30pm
This young and exciting string quartet explores the theme of Myths and Dreams through some of the best loved works of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Ravel and Debussy.
SYM Ensemble
Sun 9 May 3 – 4.30pm
An engaging mix of original and traditional music from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The trio will play instruments that make an ethereal sound including the Norwegian hardanger fiddle, Swedish nyckelharpa and the hurdy gurdy.
Maggie Cole & Julia Gooding
Sun 16 May 3 – 4.30pm
Internationally acclaimed artists, Maggie Cole (early piano) and Julia Gooding (soprano) will perform works of Haydn, Mozart and Schubert based on mythology, fantasy and the heightened emotions of dreams.
The Royal Academy of Music Percussion Ensemble
Sun 23 May 3 – 4.30pm
Neil Percy, principal percussionist of the LSO, brings together a young and gifted ensemble from the Percussion Department to perform a modern repertoire evoking all the emotion, energy and fantasy of the world of dreams and myths.
Conservatory Free admission
Limited places. Please arrive early to ensure a seat.
Dad’s Day
Sat 10 Apr 11am – 4pm
Especially for Dads! We’ve planned some events we think will appeal to you and your children, including bug hunts, craft activities and games.
Museum & Gardens Free admission
Everyone welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in.
Horniman History Tour and Tea Party
Tues 20 Apr 2.30–4.30pm
Find out about the early days of the Horniman at this informative afternoon drawing upon the collections, building and archive. Enjoy a walk through the Gardens and finish with tea and cakes in our beautiful Victorian conservatory.
Museum & Gardens Free admission
For adults. Please contact Community Learning for more information on 020 8291 8690 or email [email protected]
Bat Walks
Thurs 6 May, 8.20pm; Thurs 13 May, 8.30pm
Thurs 20 May, 8.40pm; Thurs 27 May, 8.50pm
Bring a torch for this popular bat walk at sundown. London Wildlife Trust will lead the search for these endangered mammals using electronic bat detection equipment. Weather permitting.
Gardens £3 per person
Everyone welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Places must be booked in advance.
Dawn Chorus Walk
Sat 22 May 4.30 – 6am
Be an early bird and experience the magic of dawn. Identify bird songs with expert David Darrell-Lambert on this guided walk through the Gardens.
Gardens £4 per person
Everyone welcome. Children must be aged 5+ and accompanied by an adult. Places must be booked in advance.
International Biodiversity Day
Sat 22 May 11am – 3pm
Enjoy a ladybird species hunt in the Gardens, a guided Nature Trail walk and object handling sessions inside the Museum.
Museum and Gardens Free admission
Everyone welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available half an hour in advance from the Information Desk.
Nature In Focus: Moths and Butterflies
Fri 4 June 11.30am – 4pm
Find out about your local tiger moths and butterflies with Jo Hatton, Keeper of Natural History.
Natural History Gallery, Nature Base Free admission
Everyone welcome. Drop in.
Kali and Shiva – Museums at Night 2010
Fri 14 May 7 – 8pm
Join former Horniman curator Ken Teague and learn more about the origins and significance of our famous Kali and Shiva statue. Then enjoy a traditional Indian dance performance Ardhanareswar by Crishna Budhu which explores Shiva’s personality, and try out some of the moves yourself.
Gallery Square Free admission
Please book in advance by emailing [email protected] or call 020 8291 8721.
World Oceans Day
Sat 5 June 11am – 4pm
Join our Aquarium curator and other marine experts to learn about the Your Seas, Your Voice campaign. Discover how you can help to protect the wildlife living along our coastlines and join creative activities through the afternoon.
Gallery Square Free admission
Everyone welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in.
London Consort of Winds
Sun 27 June 1– 4pm
Celebrate a medley of music from this popular ensemble.
Gallery Square Free admission
Everyone welcome.
Children’s and Family Activities
Ticketing Information
• Please ensure that children are accompanied at all times in our sessions, unless the listing states otherwise.
• All events are free except for those with a price listing.
• The majority of our family events are ticketed. Please collect session tickets from the Information Desk 30 minutes in advance.
• Un-ticketed sessions are listed “Drop In”.
• Places are limited and queuing will sometimes be necessary.
Family Art Fun
Every Saturday from 3 Apr – 26 June
1.30 – 2.15pm and 2.45 – 3.30pm
Easter Holidays
Fri 2, Tues 6– Fri 10, Mon 12– Fri 16 Apr
May Half Term
Mon 31 May – Fri 4 June
11am – 3.30pm (last entry 2.45pm)
Celebrate festivals and the changing seasons through art and craft. Please visit www.horniman.ac.uk for detailed information about individual sessions.
Education Centre
For families with children aged 3+. Ticketed on Saturdays. Drop in during holidays.
Busy Bees
Every Wed from 7 Apr – 30 June
Every Fri from 9 Apr – 25 June
10.30am, 11.15am and 12pm
Fun sessions for Under 5s and their carers discovering the Museum. Creative play, enchanting stories from around the world, Museum objects and simple craft activities, changing every week.
Hands On Base/Education Centre Free admission
Tickets available at 10.30am and 11am.
Family Storytelling -Tales from the Galleries
Every Sun from 4 Apr – 27 June 2.15–3pm and 3.30– 4.15pm
Our collections and Gardens come alive with enchanting stories from around the world.
Free admission
Drop in. Check at the Information Desk for the location of the session.
Family Tours with Mr Horniman
Sat 29 May 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2,30pm & 3.30pm
Mr Horniman has stepped out of his time machine to give you a special tour of his museum.
Free admission
Drop in. Check at the Information Desk for the location of the session.
Nature Explorers
Every Tues and Thurs in Easter and May Half Term Holidays 11.30am,1.15pm, 3pm
Nature Trail Discovery
Wed 7, 14 Apr; 2 June 2 – 3.30pm
Explore the natural environment with garden and craft sessions, games and other fun-filled activities inspired by our Gardens, Nature Trail and collections. At Easter we celebrate Spring with some planting in the Horniman Gardens. Please visit www.horniman.ac.uk for
detailed information about individual sessions. Nature Trail Discovery is led by the Trust for Urban Ecology.
Museum & Gardens Free admission
For families with children aged 3+.
Hands On
Every other Saturday from 3Apr – 26 June
Every other Sunday from 11Apr – 20 June
11.45am – 12.30pm and 1– 1.45pm
Touch real objects from all over the world in these family sessions. Explore animals, Africa, archaeology, toys, puppets, music, costume and much more in themed workshops using our
amazing handling collection. Please visit www.horniman.ac.uk for detailed information about individual sessions.
Hands On Base Free admission
For families with children aged 3+.Tickets available half an hour before the session from the Information Desk. Limited spaces.
Discovery For All
Sat 24 Apr; 8 May; 19 June
Sun 18 Apr; 2, 16, 30 May; 13, 27 June
2 – 3.30pm
Easter Holidays
Mon 5 –Thurs 8,Mon 12 –Thurs 15 Apr
2 – 3.30pm
May Half Term
Mon 31 May – Fri 4 June
1.30 – 3pm and 3.30 – 5pm
How sharp are shark’s teeth? How do you wear a sari? Have you ever played a West
African thumb piano, balanced a gourd on your head or stroked a badger? Explore thousands of real objects from around the world in these special sessions.
Hands On Base Free admission
Everyone welcome. Children must be 3+. Drop in.
Miss Horniman Presents
Sat 3, 17 Apr 11.30am, 1.15pm and 3pm
Join magical Miss Horniman on a journey through the Museum to discover some of the Horniman’s own Myths and Monsters.
Free admission
Everyone welcome. Drop in. Check at the Information Desk for the location of the session.
Tours with Darwin’s Physician
Sat 12, 26 June 11.30am, 1.15pm and 3pm
Charles Darwin’s time-travelling Physician has stepped out of his time-machine to take you on an entertaining journey around our Medicinal Garden.
Medicinal Garden Free admission
Everyone welcome. Drop In.
Children’s Courses
African Drumming for Children aged 5 – 12
Every Sun from 25Apr (except 30 May) 11 – 11.30am
With Nzinga Dance Ensemble.
Education Centre £25 10 sessions
For enquiries and bookings contact Nzinga Dance on 020 8314 5498, email [email protected] or by post to PO Box 36992, London SE6 4WH.
After School Art Club: Masks Mania
Every Fri from 30 Apr 4–5.15pm
Be inspired by our amazing masks from around the world. Design and create your own fabulous mask using papier-mâché and mixed media.
Education Centre £15 5 sessions
Children must be aged 8+ and do not need to be accompanied by an adult during the session.
After School Art Club: Underwater Worlds
Every Fri from 11 June 4–5.15pm
Come and explore the Horniman Aquarium and the creatures that live there. Design your own imaginary sea life and create a beautiful underwater globe.
Education Centre £15 5 sessions
Children must be aged 8+ and do not need to be accompanied by an adult during the session.
Please book in advance.
Adult Courses
African Drumming: Beginners
Every Sun from 25 Apr (except 30 May)
11.30 – 12.30pm
With Nzinga Dance Ensemble.
Education Centre £55/£35 concs 10 sessions
African Drumming: Intermediate
Every Sun from 25 Apr (except 30 May)
12.30 – 1.30pm
With Nzinga Dance Ensemble.
Education Centre £55/£35 concs 10 sessions
African Dance: Beginners and Improvers
Every Sun from 25 Apr (except 30 May)
1.45 – 3pm
With Nzinga Dance Ensemble.
Education Centre £55/£35 concs 10 sessions
For enquiries and bookings contact Nzinga Dance on 020 8314 5498, email [email protected] or by post to PO Box 36992, London SE6 4WH.
Learn the Art of Iyengar Yoga
Every Sat from 24 Apr (except 29 May) 10.30am– 12pm
Improve your physical fitness, posture, flexibility, strength and sense of poise. Join qualified teachers Roberto Silva and Grazia Farina for this beginners’ class and learn the art of Iyengar Yoga.
Music Gallery Performance Space £60 10 sessions
Prior to confirmation of your booking, you must contact the tutors to discuss your individual health and fitness needs on 020 8699 3194 or [email protected]
Salsa with Mandacaru Dance Theatre
Every Tues from 27 Apr (except 1 June) 6.30 – 7.30pm
“…uno, dos, tres, un pasito para tras”. An opportunity for beginners and improvers alike to learn the technique of this vibrant and contagious dance.
Gallery Square £50 10 sessions
Tango Argentina with Mandacaru Dance Theatre
Every Tues from 27 Apr (except 1 June) 7.45 – 8.45pm
The decadent music and intricate moves of this dance will transport you to the nightlife of Buenos Aires.
Gallery Square £50 10 sessions
Raise the Roof
Every Tues from 27 Apr or every Thurs from 29 Apr (except 1 or 3 June) 7 – 9pm
Everyone is welcome – all you need are vocal chords! Come and sing songs from jazz to gospel, from old crooners to contemporary pop.
African Worlds Gallery £50 10 sessions
Book in advance for the above courses.
Music Appreciation: Song & Dance
EveryT hurs from 29 Apr (except 3 June) 2.30 – 4.30pm
Learn about Western classical music from the courtly dances of the 16th century to 18th century orchestral suites, under the experienced guidance of Michael Spencer. Museum curators will introduce you to relevant examples from our musical instruments collection.
Education Centre £50 10 sessions
Imbenge Weaving
Every Sat from 1 May 10.30am – 12.30pm
Join weaver Ann Nazareth to learn the South African art of Imbenge – weaving with colourful telephone wire – to create your own Imbenge basket.
Education Centre £45 5 sessions
Head Wraps and Textile Techniques
Every Sat from 12 June 10.30am – 12.30pm
Create your wrap with textile artist Seiwa Cunningham, learning printing, dying and weaving techniques as well as some of the social history and meaning of head wrapping.
Education Centre £45 5 sessions
Egyptian Dance for Beginners – FREE taster
Sun 13 June 11am – 12.30pm
Try this lovely dance for all body types, great for flexibility and uplifting the mind.
Music Gallery Performance Space
Book in advance for all the above courses.
Public Information
Opening hours: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Free Admission to the Museum and Gardens. All exhibitions and activities are free unless otherwise stated.
Telephone: 020 8699 1872
National Rail: Forest Hill
Bus routes: 176, 185, 312, 356, P4
Access: The Museum and the Gardens are both wheelchair and pushchair friendly with accessible toilets. Limited on-site parking is available for disabled visitors – call 020 8699 1872.
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