This museum was created in 1901 by Frederick Horniman, a wealthy tea merchant. Horniman had the museum built to house the collection of curios he had accumulated over the years on his travels around the world.
Constructed in the last years of Queen Victoria's reign, the museum still has a Victorian atmosphere. An mosaic on the facade represents 'Humanity in the House of Circumstance'.
Re-opened in June 2002 after a major redevelopment, this museum is well worth a journey from central London and is a great favourite with children.
Its varied collection includes displays, with three main themes, World Cultures, Natural History, and Music.
The new Centenary Gallery celebrates the different cultures of the world with a vast array of objects collected over the past 100 years from every continent.
The Aquarium contains a variety of fish, seahorses and giant shrimps, whilst the large collection of musical instruments can be heard, touched and played and there are interactive videos and demonstrations.
An intriguing 'Apostle's Clock' enacts scenes from the Gospels each day at 4.00 pm.
The source of Frederick Horniman's prosperity is recalled in a exhibition of tea-making paraphernalia.
Frederick Horniman's original vision was to link the Museum and Gardens and this has been realised with the new redevelopment. The 16 acres of gardens, with their views over London, include formal and sunken gardens, a nature trail and animal enclosures.
The Horniman Museum also has a library and holds special exhibitions, lectures and concerts.
There is a charge to visit the aquarium.
How to get to the Horniman Museum
