Apr 3, 2025

Horniman Museum London

Stuffed walrus and other wonders

""Horniman Museum" in southern London's Forest Hill has Mr. Horniman's collection from his Victorian travels. Their overstuffed walrus is pretty famous..."

London's museums would be a poorer place without the Victorian collectors who assembled items on their worldwide travels and shared their treasures with the public. One such Victorian gentleman, Frederick John Horniman, opened his private collection to the people of London. These items from Asia, Africa and the Americas formed the heart of the Horniman Museum.

Unlike many of London's museums, the Horniman Museum is not in central London. Instead, the museum sits in the south London neighbourhood of Forest Hill, making it an easy destination for local families to learn, relax and have fun. Weekends see the adjoining Gardens and outdoor cafe full of boisterous kids (and parents enjoying a glass of wine).

Perhaps the most famous resident of the museum is the overstuffed walrus. The story goes that when the walrus first arrived at the Horniman over a century ago, the taxidermists didn't realise that walruses had wrinkly skin, so instead they stuffed the walrus to gigantic proportions. Although it may looks a tad silly now, the overstuffed walrus shows just how valuable museums like the Horniman were in introducing the world to the people of Victorian London.

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

100 London Rd

£

free

2086991872

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Caravan

The traveler's choice

"Caravan" London is one of my favourite restaurants for having one of my favourite meals of the day: brunch. It's easy to savour every last bit here and...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 20, 2025

Chuku's

North London Nigerian tapas

"Chuku's" in North London serves Nigerian tapas that invites you to 'chop, chat and chill!'

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 19, 2025

Eltham Palace and Gardens

Art Deco haven

In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ellie

Swain

Apr 6, 2025

Aux pains de papy

Best croissants in London

They have an array of all the classic pastries you’d expect from a French bakery, from pain au chocolat & croissants to my favourite croissant aux amandes.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Apr 4, 2025

Wellcome Collection

Let's talk about health

Their Reading room is a mix between a gallery and a library with books and lots of places to sit and read or do some work on your laptop.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Apr 4, 2025

The Barbary

North African small plates

The Barbary pays homage to the culinary traditions of the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Apr 4, 2025

The Derby

Oval's one-stop pint shop

The seats are comfortable, the lighting dark & despite its clear disinterest in hyper-trendiness, after dark The Derby manifests a brilliant dive bar vibe.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Apr 3, 2025

The Old Dispensary

Noisy neighbourhood nights

With connections to the local skate scene, it's a place where the mulleted, leather-jacketed alternative students from art unis head for a big night.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Harry

Thompson

Apr 3, 2025

Kew Gardens

Botanical garden paradise

"Kew Gardens" is the famous UNESCO world heritage site in Southwest London. It's great to visit for its plants, flowers and Christmas festivities!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Ellie

Swain

Apr 3, 2025

Canopy Brewery

Beer under the railway tracks

"Canopy Brewery", just below the railway tracks, is another perfect spot to sample some of London's finest brews, directly from the source!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Andrew

Bright

Apr 3, 2025

Yum Bun

It's what it says on the tin

"Yum Bun" makes Taiwanese-style buns in London. It doesn't claim to be authentic, but it's absolutely delicious and has great value for money lunch boxes!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Mark

Meyer

Apr 3, 2025

Tayyabs

Mind-blasting curries

"Tayyabs" in London is a legendary Punjabi run. I'll go weak at the knees at the aroma of their sizzling platters of marinated lamb chops & shami kebabs...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Mark

Meyer

Apr 3, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
19
Filters