Community groups

The Community Engagement Team runs lots of projects, ongoing groups and initiatives with members of our wider community, as well as offering training for community group leaders.

Local communities are involved with Horniman exhibitions, displays and events, as well as partnership projects.

Find out more about how to take part, training opportunities for group leaders and visiting independently:

This training offers practical guidance for bringing community groups to the Horniman. It provides the skills needed to use the Horniman independently, to develop your own projects and group visits.

This training is only for community or voluntary sector workers who want to bring their clients – of all ages and support needs – to enjoy the Horniman. It is also valuable for organisations that are exploring developing a partnership with the Horniman.

For more information, please email communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk or call 020 8291 8725.

You are welcome to visit the Horniman as a group, without having a booked session.

You can also download our risk assessment document to use for your group.

Ideas for activities with your group:

There are frequently free events and workshops happening in the Museum that you can get involved in. Use our calendar to find out What’s On.

You can download an Activity Pack or Trail, or explore our Learning Resources, which will help guide you through the galleries. We also have family trails you can pick up from the information desk, and you can often meet our friendly Visitor Hosts or Volunteers in our galleries.

Explore our exhibitions for more inspiration.

Don’t forget there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities in the Gardens, as well as chances to get hands on in the Hands on Base, Nature Base and in the Music Gallery Hands on Space.

Finding Your Way

The planning your visit pages provide information on transport to and from the Horniman.

Download our Museum map and Gardens map to help you find your way around the site.

Parking for people with disabilities

If you are bringing a group who need close access to the main entrance, you are welcome to drive through the Horniman Gardens to drop off and pick up at the main entrance. Please enter through the Horniman Drive Gates.

There are two accessible parking spaces on site, one of which is suitable for long wheel-base vehicles. These are first-come-first-served and cannot be booked. Staff can advise you if these are available via the intercom on the Horniman Drive Gate.

To use these spaces, please enter through Horniman Drive and drive carefully through the Gardens. The mini-bus space is at the bottom of the Avenue next to the building with the grass roof. Cars should take the first left after the small toilet block.

Download the Gardens map to help you find the accessible parking spaces.

During your visit

The Museum is fully accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.

To find out more about Museum facilities see Plan Your Visit.

The Gardens are available for picnicking. Our eight outdoor picnic tables are available every day during Garden opening hours and the Dutch Barn for indoor picnicking is open 11am-3pm on Wednesdays to Sundays.

These are all located in the Bandstand Terrace area, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Some areas of the Gardens, such as the Nature Trail, are not be wheelchair accessible due to stepped access, uneven terrain and very steep slopes.

The Café cannot accommodate large groups, but individuals are able to purchase items to take away from the Café. There is also a Tesco Metro nearby.

Quiet times

During half terms and school holidays we often have events that attract large numbers of people. Details of events can be found in our What’s On calendar.

During the school term, school groups frequently use the Horniman. Quieter times are after 2.30pm each weekday.

We regularly hold relaxed openings of our family exhibitions for neurodivergent families who cannot visit when the Museum is busy. These are held either before or after the Museum is open, and the tickets are free.

Access Advisory Group

The Access Advisory Group play a vital role in making the Horniman accessible, interesting and relevant for visitors with disabilities.

The group consists of 12 volunteers who have lived experience of disability and a real interest in the Horniman. The group meets four times per year and is chaired by an external chairperson.

Our current group members are Barry Ginley (chair), Anahita Harding, Penny Beschizza, Fleur Donnelley-Jackson, Mr Norin Khanna, John Wilson, Martin Glover, Felix Labwo, Julia Austin, William, Natasha and Joel Xhaard.

I always look forward to our meetings: we cover so many different topics and everyone is so friendly and welcoming.
Julia