Monkey Business

Explore the fascinating world of primates in this immersive family friendly exhibition.

This exhibition has now closed – find out what’s on at the Horniman.

From the tiny mouse lemur to the mighty gorilla, learn how primates have evolved and adapted over time in Monkey Business. Immerse yourself in the heart of the forest to discover how primates live, move, eat, play and interact.

Explore the relationship between humans and other primates – our closest living relatives.

With over 7 billion humans on the planet, primates have been forced to live with an expanding human presence. Human activity is putting many primate species at risk of extinction, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

With models, photography, film and over 60 spectacular taxidermy specimens, discover what we can do to help protect them in this captivating exhibition.

Family Fun

Test your knowledge

Take our monkey and ape myths quiz, and test your Monkey Business knowledge!

Make! an orangutan mask

Make a baby orangutan mask to continue the monkeying around at home!


Follow the steps. 

Watch animations by London College of Communications students, like this one:

For schools

Learn about monkey adaptations and classifications

Tickets for Monkey Business

  • Tickets must be booked in advance.
  • Tickets for Monkey Business include free admission to the Museum at the same time. Please visit Monkey Business as soon as possible once you enter the Museum. You will be able to enjoy the rest of the Museum once you leave the exhibition.
  • Members and Benefactors go free – find out more about becoming a member or supporting the Horniman as a Benefactor.
  • Members and Benefactors will need to book free tickets, as we need to control the number of visitors. Find out more about Planning Your Visit. Log in to the webshop to see your tickets.
  • Tickets are valid for single entry only.

You can also go free with an Art Pass.

Children under three may visit free of charge and carers accompanying visitors with access requirements get free admission. A family ticket is for two adults and two children aged 3-16 years.

Planning your visit

  • Book tickets in advance and print out or download your booking confirmation to your mobile device. The exhibition entrance is on Gallery Square on the Lower Ground level.
  • If you are a Member, you need to book your free time-slot and show your membership card at the entrance to each ticketed area.
  • If you have the choice, please travel light and leave your buggy or scooter at home. There will be no cloakroom facilities and all buggies and scooters must be left at the buggy park by the entrance.
  • Our delicious Café will be open as usual, with seating outside only, and is expected to be particularly busy around lunchtime. There are also places to eat packed lunches in the Gardens. Please refrain from eating and drinking inside the Museum – this is not permitted as it encourages pests and endangers our collection.
  • If there’s anything we can help with, in advance, please email enquiry@horniman.ac.uk.
  • Identify our friendly visitor teams by their yellow lanyards. We will do our best to make sure you have a great time and we are doing everything we can to keep you safe. Thank you for being kind and patient at this time.

Monkey Business is a National Museums Scotland exhibition, touring in association with Nomad Exhibitions.

All the taxidermy specimens in the exhibition are natural casualties donated to National Museums Scotland.

No animals were harmed for this exhibition.

Images: © National Museums Scotland. The downloading of images for use by third parties and end users is strictly prohibited. Downloading of images for commercial purposes will be treated as a serious breach of copyright and legal action will be taken by National Museums Scotland.