Accessible Britain
Accessible-Britain-eBook-2016
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023 Horniman Museum and Gardens<br />
Address: 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ Web: www.horniman.ac.uk Tel: 020 86991872 Hours:<br />
museum daily 10.30am–5.30pm; gardens Mon–Sat 7.15am–sunset, Sun 8am–sunset Dates: closed<br />
24–26 Dec Entry: museum & gardens free, but charges apply for some exhibitions and events; Aquarium<br />
[D]£3.85 [C]free [A]£3.85 [3–16s]£1.65 [Fam]£8.25; Horniman members free<br />
LONDON<br />
Frederick John Horniman, a wealthy Victorian tea merchant, travelled the world for<br />
his trade. Fascinated by natural and cultural history, he began selecting specimens<br />
and treasures to share with the public in his Forest Hill home. Over a hundred years<br />
later, his discoveries are on display in the accessible Horniman Museum and Gardens.<br />
The museum and award-winning gardens sit right on top of Forest Hill with<br />
glorious views over south London. The eclectic collections – with objects ranging<br />
from ancient Egyptian musical instruments to a Haitian voodoo altar – lie at the<br />
heart of the museum, but it’s the interactive developments and hands-on sessions that<br />
really bring the artefacts to life. You can have a go at African drumming, discover the<br />
size of a shark’s jawbone, don a Balinese mask or watch busy bees in the beehive. The<br />
museum runs a varied programme of touch sessions, family workshops, short courses<br />
and events, many of them available for free: it pays to keep an eye on the website for<br />
listings.<br />
The existing museum was completed in 1901 when the collection outgrew Horniman’s<br />
home, and a major centenary development has made this Victorian building easy to<br />
navigate. A good-sized lift allows access to every level, including the new aquarium in<br />
the basement – home to a colony of jellyfish. Be aware, though, that heavy soundproof<br />
doors protect some of the galleries, and these can be difficult to open. In the surrounding<br />
gardens, visitors can explore the botanical display garden, bandstand, pavillion, wildlife<br />
garden, meadow field, nature trail and animal walk. Limited on-site parking is available<br />
for disabled visitors: cal 020 86991872 for details.<br />
FOOD & DRINK aa The museum café is airy and boasts an outside seating area that is a<br />
beautiful spot on sunny days. There’s a good range of family-friendly meal deals, as well<br />
as dishes reflecting the museum’s international heritage.<br />
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