Horniman Museum Sets 2027 Opening Date for Revamped Nature Gallery
The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill has confirmed that its historic Natural History Gallery will reopen as the Nature Gallery on Friday, February 5, 2027, londradavivere.com reported. The reopening marks the final phase of the institution’s £12.5 million Nature + Love redevelopment project.
Supported by a £5.7 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside £1.4 million in public infrastructure funding and private donations, the extensive transformation revitalizes a Grade II listed gallery originally built in 1901.
Conservators Restore over 2,300 Museum Objects
Visitors will encounter more than 2,300 objects when the doors open, alongside new artist commissions and multisensory installations. Museum conservators spent months cleaning and treating artifacts, addressing 1,059 items by April 2026 while dedicating nearly 2,000 additional hours to 184 complex specimens.
Among the returning attractions is the museum’s famous taxidermy walrus.
Expanding Nature + Love Across Forest Hill
While the indoor gallery serves as the centerpiece of the 125th-anniversary milestone, the broader Nature + Love initiative has already introduced several outdoor enhancements across the museum’s 16-acre grounds.
The museum also ran a £30,000 crowdfunding campaign to support the final stages of fit-out and educational programming. Hundreds of community members and 131 volunteers contributed 7,765 hours of work through the end of 2025 to help prepare the new spaces.
Visitor Information for Forest Hill
- Opening Date: February 5, 2027
- Address: 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3PQ
- Admission: Free entry to the museum and gardens; special exhibitions may require a ticket
- Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 17:30
Why Does the Horniman Walrus Look so Unusual?
How much funding did the Nature + Love project receive?
The total project cost reaches £12.5 million, which includes a £5.7 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.4 million in public infrastructure funding.
What happened to the old Natural History Gallery?
The 1901 space closed in March 2024 for a complete overhaul that repaired the roof, upgraded environmental controls, and reinstalled historical display cases with updated scientific context.
The museum plans to debut the refreshed spaces in February 2027, running alongside outdoor nature trails and family areas.