Fantastic museum for kids and parents
22 Jul 08, 13:20
Beyond expectations
In summary, this museum was built with the money from a Victorian tea-trader, Mr Horniman to you and me. Some of the original collections are here, and it is fascinating to see these at a time when most museums seem to have fallen over themselves to clear out the old and make everything a multimedia experience. the main gallery is a cornucopia of animals, insects, birds of a feather - all stuffed and mounted for your persual. The centrepiece is an enormous stuffed Walrus - reason enough to visit. Other reasons to come - cafe - normally full of squaking kids, but get here early or when the schools aren't on holiday and you can sit down with a very decent coffee. Music Room - There's a little music room for the kids hidden downstairs where they can let some energy off by banging drums, xylophones etc Gardens - the museum is set in very lovely landscaped gardens, chock full of plants and trees to give you a bit of year round interest to your walk. Goats/chickens/geese - there's a little animals section in the park - walk up the hill past the museum and there you go, by the bandstand, some squawking things to go and stare at. Aquarium - pretty big aquarium for such a small museum - kids love it, especially the coastal section with the whooshing waves. Anyway, it's free, kids love, and there's plenty here for everyone, whether it's an angry goose or a paleontological ramble round the home counties.
