Horniman Museum and Gardens

We've been open since Victorian times, when Frederick Horniman first opened his house and extraordinary collection of objects to visitors.

Since then, our collection has grown tenfold and includes internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as an acclaimed aquarium and natural history collection.

Unusually for such an important museum, you can see our collection up-close and face-to-face. You can even pick up, try on and play with some of our objects.

Our visitors come time and again to explore our free museum, take part in our activities and enjoy our 16-acre gardens. And they discover something fascinating and mesmerising every time.