How to Visit London’s Secret Horniman Museum & Gardens

A local’s guide to visiting the secret Horniman Museum and Gardens in South East London; one of the strangest places in the city which you can visit for free!

Nestled in South East London, not that far from the gorgeous Crystal Palace area, sits the secret Horniman Museum and Gardens.

It truly is one of London’s best kept secrets, with collections ranging from taxidermy to world’s history and culture.

At the Horniman Museum, you’ll find yourself in a grand building, with hidden gems and creepy things to see like the merman, with old beauty items, human skulls and dollhouses.

If you’re looking for completely free things to do in London, this is a place you really shouldn’t miss: one of the most artsy spots in the city, perfect for inspiration and daydreaming!

How to Visit London’s Secret Horniman Museum & Gardens

The Horniman Museum is located in Forest Hill, South London – it’s quite far from Central London, but its amazing exhibitions make it one of the best hidden gems in the city.

It opened to the public in 1901, built on the site of Surrey House, former home to Frederick John Horniman, a Victorian tea merchant and philanthropist.

The museum was actually built to house Horniman’s own collections, with the idea of sharing his travel items to the public – before that, his collections were exhibited at Surrey House.

Over the decades, the Horniman Museum expanded to even more diverse collections, with artifacts from many continents (including Asia, the Americas and Africa), musical instruments, natural history specimens and taxidermy.

I first visited the Horniman Museum and Gardens after a walk around the Crystal Palace area, its park (with the dinosaur sculptures!), and Westow Hill – where you’ll find Colairo’s Deli, The Vaults Collective, and various vintage shops.

It’s a short bus ride away, and as soon as you arrive near the entrance to the museum, you can spot a glass and wrought-iron building, a Victorian Conservatory that very much reminds me of the old Crystal Palace, destroyed by a fire.

Victorian Conservatory Outside the Horniman Museum and Gardens

Pass the door, and you’re welcomed by flags, pots, photographs, a wishing tree, and even a merman, which makes for a quite creepy sight.

Then again, it’s London – that’s where you come across creepy places, abandoned sites and even disused stations unexpectedly.

One of the highlights of the Horniman Museum is the music gallery and its instruments, from different cultures and historical periods.

However, my favorite part was discovering painted eggs from Poland, a presepe from Naples, colorful statues and beauty trinkets; every little item seems even more interesting inside this particular museum.

It feels like a perfect place to visit when you’re homesick in London, with items from all around the world, right in South London.

When you’re done admiring the collections, the Horniman’s gardens are a great spot to visit in the spring all the way to the fall.

It’s small, with manicured lawns, a rock garden, a fountain, and a secret pergola.

Also, since the museum sits on a hill in Forest Hill, the gardens offer immaculate views of London’s skyline, especially on clear days; great for a romantic date with your other half!

History and Culture Exhibition at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, London

Taxidermy and Natural History at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, London

Horniman Museum and Gardens – Garden Photo Gallery

More Photos of London’s Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill

How to Visit London’s Secret Horniman Museum & Gardens

I have found the Horniman Museum to be one of the most interesting, and most secret museums in London – the amount of things you can learn and admire there is jaw-dropping.

The secret garden is obviously a part I really love, and would love to enjoy it when flowers are blooming, but it’s already a great spot for solo thinking or a chat with a friend.

From cultural items to taxidermy and gorgeous architecture, the Horniman Museum has it all.

If you would like to discover other secret museums when you’re done visiting, do check out a few other favorites of mine:

• The Ragged School Museum in Mile End
• The Museum of the Home in Hoxton
• The Young V&A Museum in Bethnal Green

All three are wonderful East London museums I cannot recommend enough – and much closer to Central London, if you’re looking to stay in that area too!