Natural History

Our Natural History Gallery first opened in 1901, the design influenced by the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements of the time. Many of the original showcases remain, packed full of taxidermy, skeletons and specimens preserved in fluid, giving the gallery a unique historic feel.

Most of the specimens, including our taxidermy mount of a walrus were collected over 100 years ago during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. This was a time when naturalists and collectors were exploring the globe.

Read more about the collections displayed in this gallery.

Guide to the Gallery

The gallery is split into two levels. In the main hall, on the ground floor, you will find displays covering evolution and adaptation in the natural world, including cases looking specifically at the evolution of the horse and elephant species. Collections of domestic dog a pigeon breeds look at the effects of domestication and selective breeding. Many of the gallery themes have changed little in 100 years.

At the centre of the room is the Horniman Walrus, perhaps Forest Hill's most famous resident, who sits proudly on his iceberg.

On the first floor, you will find a geological timeline of mostly British fossils, as well as the start of a display about classification in the animal kingdom. Moving anti-clockwise around the balcony, you can discover the different groups of animals which have evolved over time, and how they are organised by taxonomy. This display continues downstairs among the larger cases.

The balcony also houses the Apostle Clock and a children's reading space.