Nature Trail

Back to Around the Horniman
Free
Explore this beautiful, wild woodland trail stretching the length of our Gardens, once a railway line to Crystal Palace.

Please note that visitors cannot exit the Nature Trail onto Langton Rise. Please call before visiting to check if it is open on the day you intend to visit or during unseasonal weather – 020 8699 1872.

The Horniman Nature Trail is the oldest in London. It is roughly half a mile long on the site of the original Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. The railway was closed in 1954 and the area was left unmanaged until 1972. This resulted in it becoming a wild woodland area.

Today, the Trail is managed carefully to encourage a wide variety of plants, birds, insects and other animals that depend on each other for survival.

Pond and meadow habitats have been introduced to attract new species. A log pile area is home to dozens of different mini beasts, including the endangered stag beetle.

It is easy to access the Nature Trail from the Kusuma Nature Play Area, simply cross the Nightwalk Path by the new gates.

There is improved access via this gate, with a ramp up to the Nature Trail for those who find the stairs at other gates difficult.

Looking after the Trail

The Nature Trail is a sensitive area and much time goes into managing it for your enjoyment. Please help us to look after the area by not taking dogs onto the trail – dog waste poses a risk to the ecosystem. Please take all of your litter home with you.

Guide dogs are allowed.

Please do not pick any leaves or flowers on the Nature Trail. They are an important part of the habitat, and some can be sharp or sting.

 

An unpaved path on the Horniman Nature Trail
The Nature Trail is a wild woodland area.
A young girl looking for insects on teh Nature Trail
Learning about the Nature Trail habitat, Laura Mtungwazi
A group of children pond dipping
Pond Dipping on the Nature Trail

Finding the Nature Trail

The main entrance to the Nature Trail is located on the farthest path, next to the Kusuma Nature Play Area. This entrance has a ramp for easiest access, and takes you to a point part way down the Trail from London Road.

You can also access the Nature Trail on the cycle path (Nightwalk Path) that runs parallel to the Horniman Museum and Gardens at the bottom of Meadow Field. Enter from London Road to the path (not part of the Horniman Gardens) and turn into the Trail on the left entrance. There is a third entrance at the end of this path as it turns to Nod’s Way path.

In 2026, it is open from

  • 9am – 3pm (Until Sunday 8 February)
  • 9am – 4pm (Monday 9 February – Saturday 26 October)
  • 9am – 3pm (Sunday 25 October – Sunday 7 February 2027)

but may be closed at short notice during bad weather. Please check with the Information Desk at the start of your visit or call 020 8699 1872.

Access

There is ramped access from the Kusuma Nature Play Area, which is step free. Stepped access from both other entrances on the cycle path (Nightwalk Path) on London Road.

The ground on the Nature Trail is uneven and can be muddy in rainy weather, so is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.