ONE attraction in the capital is about to get a number of new features – and they are all free to visit.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, London – which was named London‘s best family attraction in 2024 by – will be launching several new outdoor experiences on May 21.
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The new experiences will be in the Horniman’s 16-acre Gardens and are part of the attraction’s Nature + Love project which includes a number of new opportunities to learn about and play in nature.
New features include a nature-themed play area, family-friendly cafe, an improved Nature Trail, an AR trail, a new nursery glasshouse and a Community Garden.
In the new Kusuma Nature Play area, there will be a wooden jetty with a slide, climbing webs and lookout points.
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Visitors will also be able to learn about different species that are local to the Horniman, such as a robin-themed area with timber rocker, nest hedge, and robin eggs.
For slightly braver kids, there will be log steps, timber balance beams and a den building frame to climb through and build.
There will also be a collecting table where younger children can sit on leaf stools and have a go at a finger maze.
The play area will have a basket swing and multi-sensory planting as well.
Peronel Craddock, Director of Content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “This new play area starts with the idea of connecting children with nature through play, in particular, the wildlife in our local area.
“We hope it will encourage families to make the most of our 16 acres of beautiful Gardens, and also act as a gateway into the Museum for anyone who might not otherwise think a museum is fun, free, or for them.”
Another new addition to the attraction will be a family-friendly cafe and picnic area, ideal for post-play bites to eat.
The cafe will open just across from the new play area and will be run by a family-run cafe group, which operates the Horniman’s other cafes and kiosks.
Visitors will be able to choose from a range of food options including fresh sourdough pizzas.
Of course, you’ll also be able to pick up ice cream and coffee as well.
The cafe will feature both indoor and outdoor seating.
Another exciting new addition is an AR trail called Animals Everywhere.
The trail uses technology that enables guests to interact with the trail and see 3D animated creatures right in front of them.
As visitors head off on the trail they will encounter a number of challenges to complete and mini games to play.
On one part of the trail, for example, visitors will even get the chance to feed the famous Horniman walrus.
Visitors will need to use their phone to follow the trail – but they do not have to pay or download anything.
In addition to the new AR trail, the Nature Trail is being revamped with direct, ramped access from the play area.
Along the trail new panels with information about the local wildlife will be installed as well.
Stuart McLeod, Director of London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Animals Everywhere! is a fantastic example of how technology can reduce barriers and inspire curiosity and engagement with our natural heritage.
“The Horniman offers a fantastic urban green space, and this, alongside the wider Nature + Love project, will transform how visitors connect with nature and the heritage on their doorstep.”
And there will be a Community Garden developed with input from people in the local area.
In the garden – which will focus on respite and reflection – adults and families will be able to participate in a programme of activities.
These will include planting, art, seed bomb creating and practical how-to-grow sessions.
The Garden Nursery area will also be transformed and include a new greenhouse, terrace and workshop space.
Across the garden, visitors can learn some top gardening tips as well as how to better connect with nature.
In addition to the new openings, next year the museum will also reopen its natural history gallery.
The gallery will have been entirely refurbished and redisplayed with returning and new objects, having been closed since spring 2024.
Inside, the focus of the gallery will be on the natural world and also how we impact it.
All of the new features included in the Nature + Love project will be launched at the start of the Horniman’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
If you are heading to the Horniman Museum and Gardens for the day, there are a number of other things to see and do.
In addition to exploring over 350,000 objects and specimens from around the globe, you can also head to the aquarium and butterfly house on site.
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Though, both of these are paid-for parts of the attraction with a ticket to the butterfly house costing £9.90 per adult and £6.50 per child and a ticket to the aquarium costing £6.50 per adult and £3.50 per child.
Until November, you can also check out the ‘Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures’ exhibition.
The exhibition is inspired by Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ and visitors will be able to ‘climb’ aboard the Nautilus submarine and head on an underwater adventure.
Tickets for the experience are also paid-for, with adult admission costing £9.80 and child admission costing £7.
If you want to just explore the free areas you can venture around the museum itself and the gardens too, where you will find an Animal Walk with goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and alpacas.
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