First look: Horniman Museum’s new play spaces designed for curious kids

For those who haven’t visited this lush green space in south east London, the Horniman Museum and Gardens is a fantastic spot for families. The museum itself is packed with interesting exhibits, some designed with younger visitors in mind and plenty for grown-ups too. Alongside extensive collections covering anthropology, natural history and musical instruments, visitors will also find the Aquarium.

Step outside and there’s even more to explore, from beautifully planted gardens and sweeping skyline views to an impressive conservatory, Butterfly House and spaces designed to help children connect with nature.

What's new at Horniman Museum and Gardens?

Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the museum has unveiled a series of Nature + Love additions designed to encourage visitors to connect with the outdoors. I visited the Kusuma Nature Play Area, community gardens and family-friendly cafe to see whether the latest additions are worth adding to your next London day out.

Kusuma Nature Play and family facilities

This new playground will no doubt be a hit with children who love to run around. Tucked into a cosy corner of the museum’s award-winning gardens, the nature-themed play area includes climbing features, spaces for imaginative play and plenty of opportunities to burn off energy. Plus, given that it’s fully enclosed, parents won’t need to worry too much about particularly adventurous little ones wandering off.

Next to the playground sits the new cafe, a beautifully designed space with indoor seating, covered outdoor areas and plenty of room for families to pause between activities. There are toilets and outdoor handwashing stations nearby too, meaning muddy hands and scraped knees are less of a concern.

Perhaps the biggest crowd pleaser will be the large ice cream serving hatch, ideal for warmer days when a cool treat is needed. Alongside coffee and soft drinks, grown-ups can order Camden Pale Ale or lager, while stone-baked pizzas make it easy to turn a quick visit into a full day out. The fresh lemonade was particularly delicious.

Community gardens, nursery spaces and wellbeing workshops

Partnering with the NHS, the new Community Garden within the already tranquil gardens will provide a space for outdoor social prescribing to support adult wellbeing. Activities will include creative workshops alongside opportunities for younger visitors to learn how to grow, care for and harvest plants.

This space feels intentionally slower paced, somewhere visitors can sit to take a break - whether that’s from exploring or simply from the busyness of life. It’s one of the calmer corners of the grounds, designed more for pausing than play. With sculptural seating and thoughtful planting, there’s a warm, earthy atmosphere here.

I watched gardeners continue planting during my visit, a reminder that, like all gardens, the space will continue to evolve with the seasons.

Just a stone’s throw from the Community Garden, the Gardens Nursery is where visitors can get their green fingers to work. An interactive learning space, curious minds can get up close with greenery and learn more about sustainable gardening.

The new glasshouse encourages visitors to make a mindful connection with nature, while picking up practical tips for sustainable gardening at home, including everything from choosing plants suited to local conditions to making your own compost.

As explained by Head of Horticulture Errol Fernandes: “Gardening is a great way to connect with nature, and nurture ourselves.”

The updated Nature Trail is another element of the new gardens that engages curiosity, blending play with learning. Here, education isn’t confined to the museum itself. Spaces such as the nursery continue the educational thread outdoors.

Perhaps one of the site’s most exciting developments is the new augmented reality feature along the Nature Trail. Families can explore the free AR experience using their phones to spot animals and collect badges. All you need to do is scan the QR codes dotted across the gardens and start exploring.

The new additions don’t feel entirely separate from the museum itself. Signage and AR prompts encourage children to spot wildlife before linking back to collections indoors, creating a thoughtful thread between play, curiosity and learning.

Is Horniman Museum’s new Nature + Play worth visiting?

The Nature + Play project is a welcome addition to an already much-loved green space. What stood out most wasn’t one attraction, but how thoughtfully everything fits together. Families can move between play spaces, gardens and learning opportunities without spending much money, making it feel less like a museum trip and more like an easy day outdoors. Even without paying for additional attractions, there’s enough here to comfortably fill several hours.

As sunshine pours over London, it feels like the perfect time to swap the bustle of central London for a bit of greenery and slower moments outdoors. Whether you’re visiting with younger children or simply looking for a more relaxed day out, Horniman’s latest additions make a strong case for heading south.

Insider tips before visiting Horniman Museum and Gardens

Here’s my list of top tips to know ahead of visiting to make sure you have the best day out.

• Pack a picnic (or plan a café stop): The gardens are perfect for outdoor dining on sunnier days, with plenty of green space to perch with snacks. If you’d rather travel light, both the museum and play area cafes have you covered.
• Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll likely spend a lot of time outdoors wandering between gardens, play spaces and museum exhibits. Comfortable footwear is a must.
• Don’t miss the animals: From goats and alpacas to butterflies and sea creatures, there’s plenty of wildlife to discover. If visiting with children, remind them to be calm and kind around animals – we all know how alpacas can be...
• Bring outdoor-friendly gear: The site is generally buggy friendly, with wide pathways and accessible routes throughout much of the museum and gardens. A buggy may be useful for younger children if planning a full day out.
• Utilise the maps and signage: Despite the size of the grounds, navigation is fairly straightforward. Large maps, directional signs and paper guides available inside the museum help visitors plan their route.
• Bring a portable charger: Especially handy if children plan to follow the new AR trail or if you’re taking lots of photos.
• Be prepared for some hills: The Horniman Museum sits atop a hill, both from the station and once inside the grounds. They’re by no means strenuous, but worth bearing in mind for buggies, mobility considerations or little legs. The reward? Fantastic views stretching across London’s skyline.
• Take your time: The best parts of Horniman aren’t always the headline attractions. Slow down in the Community Garden, stop for an ice cream or take in the views through the trees - it’s a place that rewards wandering.
• Look out for workshops and special events: Beyond the permanent spaces, Horniman regularly hosts talks, creative workshops and family-friendly activities.

More gardens to explore in London

One of the world’s greenest cities, London is packed with parks and gardens where you can combine the outdoors with a dose of history, culture and wildlife. If Horniman leaves you craving more greenery, these spots are worth adding to your list:

• Hampton Court Palace – Step into royal history before wandering perfectly manicured gardens and sprawling parkland.
• Kew Gardens – Explore thousands of species of plants alongside seasonal exhibitions and world-famous glasshouses.
• Greenwich Park and Royal Museums – Wander one of London’s oldest Royal Parks before diving into the city’s maritime history.
• Kensington Gardens – Visit the palace, roam leafy pathways and, on warmer days, grab an ice cream before relaxing in one of the deck chairs.
• Crystal Palace Park – Spot dinosaurs hidden among the woodland and discover plenty of family-friendly spaces to explore.
• Mudchute Farm and Park – Get up close with farm animals while soaking up surprisingly impressive views of London’s skyline.
• London Wetland Centre – Wander peaceful walkways through lakes, reedbeds and the 105-acre wildlife haven.