Horniman Museum Gardens

The Horniman Museum Gardens are open following a £2.3 million redevelopment. The 16.5 acre gardens, which were first opened to the public in 1895, have been updated by landscape architects Land Use Consultants to include a Gardens Pavilion which will host talks, performances and school groups. Designed by Walters and Cohen, the timber building with a living roof is heated by a ground source pump allowing the Horniman to reduce its carbon footprint. An adjoining nature trail allows for a greater range of wildlife activities and science sessions including fungi walks and mini beast hunts. Nearby is the Animal Walk, giving a close-up view of resident alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and ferrets. The bandstand has been given a new lease of life with oak floorboards, a restored weather vane and the removal of screens to offer views of the London skyline. New and revamped garden areas include the Sound Garden, a musical play area featuring an array of large instruments including a xylophone wall and drainpipe drums, the Sunken Garden with a reflection pool and a collection of plants that can be used to make various dyes, the Food Garden, with tips on growing crops, and the Materials Garden, showcasing plants that are used to make a range of products –including the Japanese banana, whose stems can be woven into rope, baskets, paper and textiles.