The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a museum in Forest Hill, London, England. Commissioned in 1898, it opened in 1901 and was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend in the Arts and Crafts style. We are the Horniman Museum and Gardens, an inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.
Car Parking and Arrival
- There are limited spaces for car and mini-bus parking available on the Horniman site for Blue Badge Holders. To enter the site you need to go to the Horniman Drive entrance. There is a buzzer on the right-hand side, please press it to ask Security to enter.
Main Entrance
- The Horniman is fully accessible from the main public entrance on London Road.
- The path from the main gate to the Museum entrance is approximately 150 meters long and is uphill. There are benches along the route.
- The main entrance is to the right.
- There are two sets of automatic glass doors at the entrance.
- Please do not use the Clocktower entrance. This is for staff and deliveries only, and is not accessible for wheelchair users.
Reception and Ticket Desk
- Inside the main entrance there is a staffed Ticket Desk. Staff here are happy to offer assistance.
- There is a hearing loop at the Ticket Desk. Wheelchair loans are also available here.
Tickets
- Entrance to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free.
- There is a charge for the Butterfly House, the Aquarium, and some of our events and temporary exhibitions.
Facilities
- The Museum and Gardens are both wheelchair and pushchair friendly with accessible toilets. Toilets inside the Museum are fully accessible, and a lift gives access to all the exhibition areas.
During the Gallery closures
- The Horniman is redeveloping two galleries (previously called African Worlds and the Centenary Gallery). These spaces are currently closed and will reopen in Spring 2018.
- While this exciting work is going on at the Horniman, the other parts of the Museum may become busier and the areas around the galleries being redeveloped may become noisy at times. If you would prefer to visit at a quieter time, we are generally less busy in the afternoons on weekdays, outside of the school holidays.
- There will be no access to these galleries during closure. Seating in other galleries will remain unchanged but there will be fewer quiet spaces in the Museum.
Lighting levels
- Some galleries have low lighting. Torches and magnifying glasses are available from the Ticket Desk to assist with reading. Gallery staff are also happy to help.
Horniman Gardens
- The Gardens have concrete paths throughout. Some of the paths are very steep and on wet or frosty days may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anyone who is unstable on their feet.
Horniman Museum and Gardens Access Advisory Group
- The Access Advisory Group play a vital role in making the Horniman accessible, interesting and relevant for visitors with disabilities.
- The group consists of 12 volunteers who have lived experience of disability and a real interest in the Horniman. The group meets four times per year and is chaired by an external chairperson.
