Horniman Museum - Forest Hill
The Horniman Museum
100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Before Oliver came along my friend Jen took me to the Horniman museum and I had never heard of it. Since then I have been many times and another friend even got married there. Now its somewhere that Oliver has come to love too! Its in Forest Hill so actually wasn't far from where I used to live in Croydon. From Coulsdon it can take 45 mins - 1 hour depending on traffic. There is no car park but I have always managed to get a space on a road nearby called 'Wood Vale', you can then walk through the gardens to the museum.
The grounds around the museum are pretty big with amazing views across London, you can see the Shard on a clear day. In the gardens there are giant chimes and drums and a pretty bandstand where my friends said I do. A small animal walk and a good crazy golf course.
Our favourite things to do at the Horniman are the butterfly house and the aquarium. I used to have an irrational fear of butterflies, but now I can handle a butterfly house. Although if one is fluttering near my face I do have to consciously try not to freak out. There are some beautiful and enormous butterflies!! Last time we went a guy who worked there held some for Oliver to get close to and told us about where they come from. You do have to be careful when you leave that there aren't any clinging on to your bag or coat!
The aquarium is inside the museum and although its not huge its a decent size with a great variety of sea creatures and fish. Oliver is obsessed with the blue spotted rays. Its much cheaper than going to a sea life centre (merlin attraction).
The museum itself has several areas with permanent exhibits, our favourite being the natural history animals. Oliver is fascinated by seeing the different animals from all over the world and he wants to know what they are all called! In the centre is a huge walrus statue which he has never forgotten since the first time we went, making sure he took his own little walrus figure the second time. Another permanent exhibit is a room full to the brim with musical instruments, literally everything from around the world you could think of! Its like a real life 'Encarta' how old am I? Unfortunately Oliver is not keen to explore this area but when I can eventually persuade him, there is apparently an area where you can try out some instruments for yourself which sounds fun!
Along with the permanent rooms there are usually a few temporary exhibitions going on, but you do have to pay entry fees for them (the museum itself is free). We did do the Lego exhibition last summer which was really exciting for the kids (and us) to see animals and famous buildings sculpted out of thousands of Lego pieces. Aswell as being able to have a go at building something themselves.
The museum is free entry but the butterfly house, aquarium and temporary exhibits you do have to pay for. We usually do a joint butterfly and aquarium ticket. Under 3s are free and they do a saver family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children, which we did when I went with a friend and her little boy.
There is a cafe, I can't remember what the prices were like to be honest but I don't remember thinking it was extortionate. They sell a variety of hot food, sandwiches, kids snacks & drinks, ice cream and good cakes! Toilets are inside & outside and lockers for £1 we found handy to chuck our coats and bags in to save us lugging them around the museum.
There aren't many museums like this outside of central London (that I know of), its a great day out and relatively inexpensive depending on what you choose to do - you can budget it. I'd definatley recommend giving it a visit!
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