Good News!

The Horniman has had monies pledged from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund and from several other funders for Phase 1 of the Gardens Master plan - please see the Phase 1 Plan displayed here. In order to realise this project, the Horniman still has to raise significant funds and work on Phase 1 will not begin in the Gardens before 2010.

The Phase 1 Plan was created after consulting with many groups in the area, as well as the general public and potential funders. We will be working on detailed designs between May and September 2009 and will be consulting further with local groups on the areas of detailed design they have expressed particular interest in. We are also keen to hear any thoughts or comments individual users or the Gardens and Museum have on the plan.

Key aspects of the Phase 1 Plan are:

  • Improvements to paths, fencing, toilets, and services like drainage, electricity and water.
  • Improvements to the buildings in the Gardens - the Bandstand, the Dutch Barn and our Greenhouses plus a new Gardens Learning and Community Centre.
  • Improvements to the animal enclosure including a new walk-through path.
  • New horticultural facilities with more opportunities for volunteering, training and public educational events.
  • Re-landscaping some areas to provide quiet areas, increasing the diversity of planting and providing activity areas including a musical play area and better picnic spaces.
  • Better interpretation designed to take advantage of the links between the Museum's collections and new and existing planting in the Gardens.

Gardens Phase 2

In the longer term we hope to address issues of access and design in the lower part of the site (towards Wood Vale). This would be the subject of a new project and consultation plan which would include local groups and residents. We do not expect to begin planning and consultation work on Phase 2 until after 2012.

If you would like to share your thoughts with us please email marketing@horniman.ac.uk or post them to

Marketing
Horniman Museum
100 London Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 3PQ.

I would be delighted to hear from you.

Lottery fundedJanet Vitmayer
Chief Executive
Horniman Museum and Gardens.