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The Horniman: London’s “lucky dip” museum.
The Horniman Museum: off the beaten track but well worth a detour (image credit below)
London has some great museums and galleries: the British Museum, V&A, Natural History Museum and the National Gallery to name but a few.
We’ve also featured some of the capital’s lesser-known museums.
But one of the best according to our resident museums expert, Andrea Kirkby – and certainly one of the most approachable – is hidden away in the nether regions of South London: the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill.
It’s a proper Victorian museum which does a bit of everything; natural history, anthropology and art. The natural history section has a Victorian feel, with specimens in their original cases including a huge stuffed walrus.
Other sections have been displayed in a more modern style, but there’s still an intriguing mix of artefacts. Not all animals in this museum are dead. One of the highlights is an aquarium with corals, jellyfish and, notably, seahorses – one of very few places you can actually see them in captivity.
African culture is a speciality and the collection of Benin bronzes particularly notable. You’ll be impressed by the knowledge displayed in the labelling, too – this isn’t just a place to look at the bronzes, each one of which is a minor masterpiece – but to learn about the society that created them.
A massive stuffed walrus at the Horniman Museum (image credit below)
Perhaps my favourite object though is a delicate ritual double cup, carved out of wood. Each of its two receptacles would be filled and one chief would drink out of each side, as a symbol of peace and brotherhood.
It is amazing that such delicacy can be achieved in wood to create something as thin and light as porcelain. 2010 also sees a special exhibition on the fascinating Tuareg, the veiled people of the Sahara.
Some of the exhibits are beautiful while others are macabre. There’s a papier-maché figure of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction, with her necklace of skulls…the garish colours seem to clash with her gruesome mien and it’s like seeing a Halloween witch dressed up in bright orange! There’s even a torture chair from the Spanish Inquisition.
And there’s also a great collection of musical instruments – from Ancient Egyptian jingle-jangles to beautiful harpsichords and modern woodwind.
One of the great things about the Horniman is its lack of stuffiness. There’s even a ‘hands-on base’ to handle objects from the collection.
While intended mainly for children, artists and craftspeople will also find it interesting. Handling an object tells you so much more than just looking.
How heavy is it? What is the texture like? How does it fit in the hand?
There’s also going to be a mask day which will offer the chance to look through the eyes of one of the big collection of African masks.
Kids will love the aquarium at the Horniman Museum, which includes magnificent seahorses (image credit below)
The Horniman has a very special charm as a museum.
Where you often go to other museums with a definite goal – to see the Etruscan antiquities in the British Museum for example or the Medieval Galleries in the V&A, the Horniman is designed simply for browsing.
You just wander round and see what takes your fancy. It’s that kind of museum – like a gigantic lucky dip.
Looking for a decent hotel near the Horniman Museum at an attractive price? If recent TripAdvisor reviews are to be believed you should look no further than the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Croydon.
Some of the great deals at the Holiday Inn Express Croydon are as much of a well-kept secret as the Horniman Museum itself
Check best rate for Holiday Inn Express Croydon from 30+ hotel booking sites
This hotel gets complimented for its cleanliness, breakfast and generous room amenities – especially given that it’s a budget hotel.
You can stay here for a hefty discount on central London hotel rates even though the train connection to Victoria only takes about 20 minutes.
It is an excellent choice if you plan to visit the Horniman Museum and save some money on your London trip budget for good food and nice pubs.
Since the Horniman Museum is one of London’s most family-friendly attractions, you may also want to check our rundown of London’s best family-oriented hotels or the most kid-friendly hotel in London.
Get the best-value London hotel deal from 30+ booking sites in 1 click
Photo credits: Abi Skipp’s photostream, RachelH_’s photostream, Russelljsmith’s photostream, Holiday Inn Express Croydon.
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A note to your readers:
The Horniman Museum is easily accessed by the excellent London Overground service from Croydon.