Horniman Museum and Gardens - What's On in July 2024

 

Plants galore!

Horniman Plant Fair

Saturday 6 July, 11am–4pm

Shop for a wide range of plants from 17 small and independent specialist plant nurseries, and enjoy tours of our award-winning Gardens with our wonderful volunteers. This year our talks on the Bandstand are with speakers including Charlotte Harris, RHS Chelsea Gold medallist-winning designer, and Claire Ratinon, organic food grower, author and Guardian Gardening columnist.

Book tickets

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Regular free events

Family Craft Saturdays

Every Saturday (except 13 July),
2–4pm

Join our free crafternoon sessions with different themes every week all inspired by our collections and events programme.

Find out more

Horniman Market

Sunday 17 July, 10am–3pm

Browse for pre-loved clothes, books, toys and more at our second-hand market in July. You can also pick up fruit and veg and enjoy delicious street food at our regular Horniman Market taking place at the same time.

Find out more

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Free events for everyone

Crossing Borders

Saturday 13 July, 11am–4pm

Enjoy crafting, art, music, dancing and more free activities run by local newly arrived people, celebrating the wonderful richness of our local community.

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Hear it Live!

Thursday 11 July, 3.30pm

Letty Stott returns for a captivating performance on the conch shell and tenor horn.

Find out more

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Exhibitions and displays

茶, चाय, Tea 

Until Sunday 7 July

It is the last week to catch our free exhibition exploring the many stories of Britain’s national drink. Discover the complex history of tea and how tea is produced today.

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Dinosaur rEvolution

Until 3 November

Which dino features are better – horns, spikes or quills? And how did some dinosaurs survive extinction? 

This fascinating family-friendly exhibition is free for Members and Benefactors.

Book tickets

Adolescent Wonderland 

Until Sunday 28 November

A free exhibition of photographs by Naomi Hobson celebrate the energy, love and humour of First Nations young people living in Coen, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.

Find out more

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Looking ahead to August

Horniman Museum Lates

Thursday 1 August, 5.30–9pm

There will be no Late in July, but we look forward to the next evening opening on 1 August. Discounted tickets to the Aquarium and Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition are available.

Find out more

Music, Jerk 'n Tings

Saturday 10 August, 1–6pm

Join us for a family-friendly day of food and music in the Gardens celebrating Caribbean culture. Queen of Lovers' Rock Janet Kaye returns to perform her biggest hits along with reggae legend Dennis Bovell MBE.

Book tickets

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Important information about your visit

Lift out of service

The main Museum lift is currently being replaced and will be out of service until 9 July. During this time we encourage visitors to leave buggies at home, or use the designated parking area outside the Shop. For wheelchair users, or if you have access needs, please speak to one of our Visitor Hosts for assistance to lower floors.

Cafe refurbishment

The Cafe is closed for refurbishment works until late July. Food and drinks are available from kiosks across the Gardens.

Thank you for your patience during these works.

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Elsewhere in London

Golden Age of Piracy
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July, 11am–4pm
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

Join us for a weekend of living history as the Old Royal Naval College is overrun with pirates! Choose from a range of activities including sword fighting, live period music, a firepower demonstration and much more. The perfect outing for families and history enthusiasts alike. 

Find out more

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Festival of Fairytales
Sunday 11 August, 10am-4pm
Garden Museum

The magical world of the Festival of Fairytales is coming back to the Garden Museum this summer! Explore the magic of growing and creativity at this summer family festival, designed to delight and inspire imagination in children aged 4–10. Enjoy pop-up performers, art and gardening workshops, live storytelling and theatrical performances. Under 4s free.

Find out more

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K Trap
Tuesday 10 September
Roundhouse

K-Trap, a South London UK Rap and Drill sensation, known for vivid storytelling and powerful lyrics, just released his debut album "Smile?". Catch this BRIT-nominated, multi-MOBO award winner’s one-off show at Roundhouse—a must-see debut performance!

Find out more

London Transport Museum - Depot Open Days, Hidden London tours and more

 

Welcome to our latest enewsletter. We are spotlighting future technologies while taking cues from the past in our upcoming Museum Depot event, where you’ll enjoy a packed programme of fun activities including access to extraordinary collections. For those who like to immerse themselves in history, don't miss the final months of our Hidden London tour at Down Street station and its revealing Second World War secrets.

Museum Depot Open Days

Friday 5 July - Sunday 7 July 2024 Depot Open Days: From Past to Present Join us for an exciting three-day event filled with expert talks, tours, and demonstrations. Discover the fascinating story of transport past and present, and delve into visions of a green future. Marvel at our heritage vehicles, explore collections normally off-limits and visit our STEM zone to experience cutting-edge technologies. Enjoy live music and engaging family activities throughout the event.

Book your ticket

Step into history with Hidden London

Available until the end of September Last chance to see! Did you know that at the outbreak of the Second World War, the Railway Executive Committee moved into an abandoned Underground station, making it their secret base from which to run Britain’s railways throughout the war? Join our tour of Down Street station to discover this fascinating history whilst we still have access. Book now

Latest reads

Poster artist of the month: Sheila Robinson Sheila Robinson (1925-1988) was a highly skilled printmaker who developed a unique technique of relief printmaking using carved cardboard. In the early 1950s, she created notable posters for London Transport, showcasing her innovative designs and experience as an illustrator. Read more Collections close up: 1938 Tube stock car In the 1930s, increasing demand and ambitious expansion plans meant that the Underground needed new trains. The 1938 stock was the result of years of trials and in-house research. Behind its smooth, rounded exterior were many innovations, including under-floor driving equipment. Read more

Celebrating 70 years of the Routemaster

Our shop has some exciting new products in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Routemaster and its status as a London transport icon. We have two RM1 models made exclusively for the Museum by Bachmann available for pre-order now, and a gorgeous new moquette-inspired scarf and throw designed by Wallace Sewell. Also check out our best-selling Routemaster moquette gifts ranging from clothing, accessories and homeware.

Shop now

Did you know? As an independent heritage and education charity, your donations help us to preserve and care for London’s iconic transport heritage. Support our work

We recommend... Queer Britain: Trans Pride and Dyke March in conversation Sunday 23 June, 13:30 - 15:30 Pride season is here! Join Queer Britain for a conversation with Shiv, Miggy (London Trans Pride) and Stav (Dyke March) about the importance of Pride. Hear about the history of Trans Pride and the Dyke March, the challenges they’ve faced and their hopes for the future. Find out more

Borough Market - Open season

 

Open season   It may not feel like it this week, but the time is very nearly upon us when opportunities for a spontaneous picnic on a sunny afternoon are gloriously, unmissably apparent. To ensure that when the moment does arise fully you’re ready to seize it, we’ve written a guide to the stellar picnic food you can grab on a whim from Borough Market, with no foresight needed. Just as importantly, we’ve scoped out some of the lovely green spaces within an easy walk of the Market – some well-known, some hidden away – where you can enjoy your spontaneous alfresco lunch.   Read now Happy hours For the past eight years, Borough Market has been an accredited Living Wage Employer. Now, the Market has gone a step further by gaining Living Hours accreditation as well. On our blog, Borough CEO Jane Swift has set out what this means and why it matters. Read now Plan Zheroes starts Thursday collections Plan Zheroes is the charity that for the past decade has been redistributing surplus food from Borough’s traders. After gradually building up its capacity, the charity is now for the first time able to attend the Market on all six of its trading days, meaning that even more perfectly edible unsold food will find its way to people in the local community – a move that coincides with the 10th anniversary of our partnership. Spinach Fatayer Picnic-friendly spinach-stuffed pastry pockets from the British-Iraqi chef behind the Borough Market Kitchen’s JUMA stand.  RECIPE BY PHILIP JUMA Sushi balls with spicy mayo More great picnic fare: robust little rice balls, stuffed with fresh fish and served with a spicy mayonnaise. RECIPE BY LEAH HYSLOP Fish! The menu at Tony Allan’s ever-popular Fish! restaurant offers a wide range of seasonal fish and shellfish dishes alongside favourites such as fish & chips, grilled lobster, and fish pie. All produce is delivered each morning from Fish!’s very own fishmonger, Jarvis of Kingston, or sourced from other Borough Market traders. BAO Borough Taiwanese restaurant BAO Borough is inspired by the late-night grill establishments populated by commuters across Asia. It serves dishes such as chicken nugget bao, beef meatball, fried egg, and Borough curry. It also has one of the few Suntory highball machines in the UK, pouring whisky and sodas that bubble like champagne.