Horniman Museum

Housed in a stunning Arts and Crafts building perched on a hilltop in Forest Hill, this eclectic museum bursts with treasures spanning natural history, world cultures, and musical instruments collected by Victorian philanthropist Frederick Horniman. The attached gardens offer sweeping views across London while showcasing wildlife habitats and seasonal plantings. It's a wonderfully unpretentious space where you can encounter Egyptian mummies, intricate Japanese netsuke, and quirky taxidermy alongside families enjoying the grounds.