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Horniman gets the green light for transformational nature project

Image showing the Clock Tower at the Horniman
Clock Tower at the Horniman. Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens / Andrew Lee

National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million

Dyddiad a ddyfarnwyd
Lleoliad
Forest Hill
Awdurdod Lleol
Lewisham
Ceisydd
The Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust
Rhoddir y wobr
£7194079
Described as a once-in-a-generation project, the Natural History Gallery and gardens will be redeveloped into a new and engaging space for all.

Thanks to a total of nearly £6million funding, the Nature + Love project will redevelop three areas at the museum’s site in Forest Hill. It aims to enhance the visitor experience and revitalise previously under-used areas for the community.

Project highlights include:

  • the redisplay of the Natural History Gallery, including its much-loved walrus, to make it more relevant, accessible and inspiring
  • an indoor Nature Explorers Action Zone as a dedicated interactive area for children under five, and an outdoor explore zone for nature-themed play
  • a new children’s café and step-free link to the Horniman’s popular nature trail
  • a Sustainable Gardening Zone with new plant nursery and sustainable planting displays
  • a horticultural hub to provide a space for community and learning programmes

We can look forward to creating three new and exciting destinations for our visitors, and to fostering the next generation’s love and care for the natural world.

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive and Director of Content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens

Computerised image of what the Nature Explorer Adventure Zone at the Horniman could look like, showing families in an outdoor wooden play area.
An image of what the Nature Explorer Zone could look like. Credit: Feilden Fowles.
 

 

Inspiring connections with nature

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive and Director of Content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens said: "Thanks to the Heritage Fund, we can look forward to creating three new and exciting destinations for our visitors, and to fostering the next generation’s love and care for the natural world."

The Horniman is London’s only museum of global nature and culture. In 2022, it won the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year, recognising its transformational programming to reach diverse audiences and engage people with the climate emergency.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, said: ‘‘I am delighted [...] to support this wonderful institution as it encourages children and adults alike to cherish and protect our natural world. I hope that this redevelopment will inspire and be enjoyed by generations to come."

The project will get underway in 2024, aiming to reopen the outdoor spaces in summer 2025 and the Natural History Gallery in spring 2026.

You can follow the progress of the Nature + Love project on the Horniman Museum and Gardens website.

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