Established in 1901, the Horniman Museum and Gardens located in Forest Hill, London is known for its displays of anthropology, natural history, musical instruments and taxidermy collection.
The museum’s new Nature + Love project aims to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for the world we all share. Through new displays and destinations across the Horniman, the museum aims to become more inclusive and accessible, and help future generations to better protect and celebrate the natural world.
The project involves transformations in both the museum and in the gardens where three areas will be redeveloped; the Natural History Gallery, a new outdoor play area with café and improved access to the Nature Trail, and the Gardens Nursery area. Works began earlier this month and are due to finish in Spring 2026.
The Gardens Nursery elements include the demolition and redevelopment of the glasshouses and ancillary buildings, including a plant nursery and potting shed; a community workshop space and garden; new and refurbished pathways; new street furniture and planting. In a new play area works include the construction of a café; installation of nature-themed play facilities; drainage and significant soft landscaping including expert soil handling and re-use. The project has a strong focus on sustainability, ecological value, biodiversity protection and enhancement and the use of recycled materials.
The development of the play area and improved access to the Nature Trail is being supported by Kusuma Trust and the wider Nature + Love project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (£5.7m) alongside support from other funders.
Blakedown Landscapes has been appointed as the principal contractor to deliver the hard and soft landscaping works, along with constructing a new café and greenhouses. Specialising in landscaping and civil engineering, Blakedown Landscapes has worked on projects throughout the UK, spanning various sectors, from local authorities, royal parks, commercial developers, schools and universities to luxury developers. Along with the RHS Wisley garden team, Blakedown Landscapes worked on the Oudolf Landscape at RHS Wisley which opened in 2024.
“We are delighted to work with Blakedown Landscapes once again on this exciting next phase of our Nature + Love project. Their skill, experience and commitment to sustainable practices make them an ideal fit to help us realise the ambition of this transformational project to make the Horniman more inclusive and accessible and help future generations to better protect and celebrate the natural world,”said Kirsten Walker, Director of Collections Care and Estates at the Horniman Museum and Gardens.
Chris Wellbelove, Director of Blakedown Landscapes, said: “Blakedown Landscapes is proud to once again partner with the Horniman Museum and Gardens, this time on the Nature + Love project. This transformative initiative will deepen connections between people and nature, fostering exploration, learning, and sustainability. Building on our work on the historic gardens’ redevelopment in 2012, which created spaces for interpretation and outdoor learning, and the pathway project in 2023, which improved access across the site, we are proud to contribute to this next chapter in the Horniman’s vision for inspiring a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world.”