Local community groups

You are welcome to visit the Horniman as a group.

f you’re a not-for-profit organisation or charity for under-represented people, please do get in touch with the Community Engagement team at communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk. Everyone is welcome at the Horniman and we may be able to make your visit easier and more enjoyable.

All other groups should contact enquiry@horniman.ac.uk.

The plan your visit pages provide information on transport to and from the Horniman, what you can do when you get here, eating options and picnic spaces.

Our access page offers more info for those with additional access requirements.

Quiet times

The Horniman is much quieter after 2.30pm on weekdays during term time. At other times, the museum is very lively with school groups and families.

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

Ideas for activities within your group

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.

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.

We run regular nature-based activities for adults who wish to spend more time outdoors to improve their health and wellbeing. From hands-on activities to more mindful and sensory things, there’s something for everyone and people can join in with as much or little as they like in a low-pressured environment.

To find out more about the programme, either for yourself or for someone you know, please contact communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk.

Our Environment Champions Community (ECC) encourages communities and families to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours.

Families and individuals can sign up to our quarterly newsletter or follow us on Facebook to find out what’s happening locally to help nature and the environment.

We are keen to promote the work of local community groups and organisations who are also helping encourage and support local people to take action to look after the planet.

Please email communitylearning@horniman.ac.uk if you would like us to share your activities on our Facebook page or would like to be featured in our ECC newsletter.

We work across co-produced displays and events, advisory groups, projects and more.

• Access Advisory Group
• Always Part of the Story
• Nature + Love
• Musicians in Residence
• Crossing Borders

The Community Engagement Team work together with local community partners to address issues such as:

• increased loneliness in older adults,
• increased need for mental health support,
• stigmatisation of refugees and asylum seekers,
• disparity in employment opportunities for young people,
• and a lack of relevant museum offer for disabled people, NS-SEC 5-8 and global majority families.