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Gardens Project: Realising the Dream

Frederick Horniman's vision was for the Museum and Gardens to work as one - the living space complementing the Museum exhibits.

Since 1901, the 16½ acre Gardens have been a treasured part of the London landscape and a valued urban oasis.

However, after 100 years of use, the Gardens have suffered a good deal, and they no longer adequately serve the wide range of visitors they now attract. This project is repairing and realigning paths, improving surfaces and introducing ramps. It is restoring popular features like the Sunken Garden and Bandstand, so that they can continue to play their part in community life.

We're also unlocking the educational potential of this living resource. New interpretation and planting schemes, a Display Garden and a Music Garden, a redesigned animal enclosure, and a new education and community centre – the Pavilion – will provide new insights into the Museum collections, the local landscape, and the wider environment.

The Horniman's popular Bandstand will be restored.

The Pavilion – a new learning and community centre.


United with the Museum at last, the Horniman Gardens will finally be a place for “recreation, instruction and enjoyment” as our founder originally intended.

Download a copy of the Proposed Master Plan of the Gardens redevelopment here.