Horniman Museum and Gardens

After reading a few reviews of the Horniman we decided to go here with our 4,6 and 7 year olds whilst up in London for the weekend. We weren't really sure if it was going to be worth it but were totally won over by the whole place. I liked the Victorian collection of stuffed animals (might want to be a bit selective if you are a dog-lover !) as it was like the museums I used to visit as a child, whilst the children loved the Robot Zoo (temporary exhibition) which was really hands-on and very inventive. There is a great aquarium with jelly-fish, tropical fish and a British coastline section. Again very well thought out and just as educational as it was fun. We didn't even have time to visit two of the exhibition areas as we only had half a day so I would definitely recommend spending a whole day. There are lovely gardens, a great conservatory and brilliant cafe with a huge range of food. All in all a really worthwhile place to visit, and what's more it is free to get in to the main museum.

Outside the centre of London near the impressive Dulwich college and the villegette of Dulwich is the Horniman (yes I know, Do i make you Horni jokes etc) Museum. The insides are a strange amalganation of curiosities, most outstanding were the live jelly fish (never seen before and i've been to a lot of aquariums)and the bee hive, all nicely put together. There is also a very large and imprssive collection of musical instruments and an intreactive aid. The horniman is geared to youngsters and they flock their especially on warm days with their parents, the wide scope of exhibitions will should catch their attention and not make the adults bored. The gardens of the museum are in my opinion the outstanding part and worth a look by themselves, nicly presented and they create a varied enviroment for all to enjoy (especially the local squirrel population).