Horniman Museum Gardens

Client: London Borough of Lambeth

Landscape Architect: Land Use Consultants

Cost: £700k

Duration: 9 months

Location: Forest Hill

The Horniman Museum and Gardens was given to the people of London for their 'recreation, instruction and enjoyment' in 1901 by Victorian tea trader Frederick John Horniman. His wealth allowed him to ‘bring the world to Forest Hill’ in the form of a collection that covers natural history, anthropology and musical instruments. The Museum also has an Aquarium and 16.5 acres of Gardens. The aim of the masterplan was to enable the gardens to extend the opportunities for interpretation and learning and to create new outdoor and indoor spaces where this can happen.

WORKS

The historic restoration focused on several areas of the park to help link the gardens to the museum. In order to complete the landscaping works, we had to work closely with a separate contractor who was building the new education centre. 

The works included removal of existing footpaths, street furniture and a section of the road. New footpaths were constructed along with a complete new section of road which is 1m lower than previously to allow for easier access. Further to this, new animal shelters were built along with associated fencing and gates. The bandstand area, which was due to have a tar and chip finish, once the weather became suitable, was repaired and resurfaced.

The sunken garden area was carefully lifted and rebuilt to the same paving pattern but allowed for DDA compliant ramps. There was also a new central reflective pool constructed which was formerly used as a raised shrub bed. Along with this, new outdoor musical play equipment was installed surrounded by Coxwell gravel surfacing. There were extensive re-grading works, new railings, reconstruction of steps and planting works which included London Plane table top cut trees to offer shade in the picnic area on the bandstand. 

Blakedown also undertook supplementary planting throughout the park to compliment the story of the museum, including a tea plantation area. The planting works will be an on-going project enhanced by the onsite grounds team to create a world food garden. 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

All works were completed while the park was fully open and another contractor on site undertaking a variety of building works. Logistics had to be carefully considered to get things into the park as well as to the many areas throughout, which was further complicated by having to plan deliveries around the other contractor and school coaches. 

The gardens have now been fully adopted and in use by the public.