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It was a sad day for south London when, in March 2024, we had to wave a temporary goodbye to the Horniman Museum’s overstuffed walrus.
The marine mammal, which lacks its characteristic wrinkles as a result of being accidentally overfilled by Victorian taxidermists, has been a consistent fan favourite since it was first displayed in 1901. But a revamp of the museum’s Natural History Gallery has left a walrus-shaped hole in the Horniman’s offering for the past two years.
Unfortunately, we’re going to have to face yet another walrus-less year in 2026, as the museum has said the renovations won’t be completed until early 2027. In the meantime, the Horniman has announced a glut of new garden attractions which will keep us entertained until we can be reacquainted with the beloved brute.
Marking the museum’s 125th birthday, from May 21 it will introduce a new nature-themed play area, family-friendly café, an interactive trail and community garden to its 16-acre grounds.
What can we expect from the new Horniman garden features?
Well, to start with, there is a brand new Kusuma Nature Play area designed for kids. It features a wooden jetty and slide, climbing webs and lookout points, plus log steps, timber balance beams and a den building frame. The museum has created elements specifically for tots, too, with a collecting table, leaf stools and a finger maze. The design of the new play area centres around local wildlife, including a robin-themed area with timber rocker, nest hedge and robin eggs.
Adjacent to Kusuma Nature Play, the museum is introducing a family-friendly café. Regulars at the Horniman will be well-acquainted with the signature sourdough pizzas served at the existing café and kiosks, run by family-owned café group Colicci. Expect the same slow-fermented dough and seasonal ingredients, as well as artisan gelato and specialty coffee.
Elsewhere, a new Community Garden and Gardens Nursery will offer a quieter, more secluded space to escape the noise. Both adults and kids have been considered in the plans, which will host activities and events for people of all ages. Nature-based wellbeing activities for adults will include planting, creativity and art, while young people will be able to create seed bombs and attend practical sessions on how to grow, care for and harvest plants.
Plus, the Gardens Nursery area has been transformed with a new glasshouse, public terrace and workshop space open to locals.
If that wasn’t enough, the museum has also made improvements to the 800-metre-long Nature Trail including new ramped access and signposts giving an insight into the creepy crawlies living along the trail. It will even introduce an interactive ‘Animals Everywhere!’ augmented reality route through the grounds, with challenges and minigames.
The garden revamp is the first major milestone to be unveiled as part of the Horniman’s Nature + Love project, which is set to cost £10 million in total.
We don’t yet know exactly when the Natural History Gallery will be welcoming guests back to its hallowed halls, but the museum has said it plans to release more details later this year.
Did you see that London is getting a mind-boggling new illusion museum?
Plus: more wild cows are now roaming south London – here’s where you can see them.
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