Friday 1 May 2015

Horniman Museum and Gardens

Horniman Museum
Do you ever have those weekends, when you want to get out and do something different? 

Last Saturday we decided to head to Forest Hill (South East London) to visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens (open daily 10.30am-5.30pm
admission to the museum and gardens is free).  
Horniman Museum
The outside is beautiful with mosaics and wonderful carvings in Doulting stone.

The museum sits on the site of Frederick Horniman's original home a Victorian villa, which was converted into a museum in 1891. Frederick was a Victorian tea trader and philanthropist. 

First on the list was visiting the gallery packed full of historical taxidermy. For those of you who do not like this sort of thing look away now. 
Horniman Museum
Horniman Museum Horniman Museum
The Walrus below is massive in size and has a commanding pair of tusks.
Horniman Museum
Most of the taxidermy is over 100 years old, collected during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. A time when naturalists and collectors were exploring and travelling the globe.   

Next up on our visit was the aquarium, a journey through the seas and oceans. It costs £3.50 for adults and £1.50 for children. 
Horniman aquarium
There is something very relaxing about watching pelagic jellyfish in their tank floating around. 

We had a wonderful day mooching around the museum and finished off eating an ice cream in the wonderful gardens. This is the perfect place to bring little ones to burn off some steam or have a picnic. 
Horniman Museum
If you ever fancied petting a cute alpaca, then your in luck. In 2013 a new animal walk was opened that lets visitors walk through the close encounter enclosures to see and pet sheep, goats and alpacas.

Every Saturday in the gardens they also have a wonderful farmer's market 9am -1.30pm. Want to see what is on offer and the food being sold take a look here.  

How do you spend your perfect weekend?

100 London Road
Forest Hill
London 
SE23 3PQ

www.horniman.ac.uk

 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

19 comments:

  1. I went to Horniman a few months ago and it was lovely! Definitely need to visit again in the summer as I need to explore the gardens! xx

    Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Definitely have to go back in the summer for a picnic perfect place especially when the majority is free Lucy x

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  2. What a lovely looking place to wonder around and relax :) That mosaic is beautiful!

    Style Sunrise ☀

    :)
    x

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    1. It does make for a nice weekend visit Lucy x

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  3. The gardens are so pretty, looks like a lovely place to visit! I am always keen to visit a farmers market :)

    Ash | Liakada Travel

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  4. That walrus is HUGE! I'm weirdly fascinated by taxidermy, but I don't think I'd like to own any... the @CrapTaxidermy twitter account is one of my favourites.

    I can imagine that the jellyfish were really pretty, I'd love to go and watch them! Sounds like you had a lovely day :)

    Emilie
    www.eatlivebreathe.co.uk

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    1. Just looked at the craptaxidermy so funny, especially the fox and bear Lucy

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  5. Eee the aquarium looks so pretty! Looks like a lovely day out!

    Alex
    efflorescentdream.co.uk
    x

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  6. Oh wow, that bird phone thing is mental.

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. The thought that has gone into some of the displays is very clever Lucy x

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  7. I love spending time at museums/art galleries. I always seem to have the best time there.

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    1. They are a great way to do something different. In the UK most of our are free too Lucy x

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  8. I used to go here a lot when I was little and I used to cry at the taxidermy haha! I'm definitely gonna have to go back and visit the alpacas though! x

    Josie’s Journal

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    1. They are pretty odd I can see as a child that they might freak you out Lucy x

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  9. It sounds like you had a great time, the gardens look lovely in the sun :) xx

    Toasty

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  10. I absolutely loved my visit to this museum, it is so quirky! Brilliant for children too

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

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  11. This is such a great place to visit. I went with my friends a year or so ago and loved it! Lovely photos!

    Marie x
    titchytombie.blogspot.co.uk

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