21 November 2008

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The new Aquarium at The Horniman Museum opened July 14th

and it's FREE to visit!

There has been an aquarium at The Horniman since 1903, when Britain's first free public aquarium was opened. The new high-tech aquarium promises to be a wonder; it will contain 15 living displays in seven zones, providing authentic habitats to more than 150 species of plants and animals. The £1.5m aquarium holds some 14,000 litres of water - about 14 tons - featuring a state-of-the-art life support system. Visitors will be able to learn about the variety of British pond life from a viewing den inside a hollow willow tree and then explore the marine life of the British Isles, where there will be a north Devon rock pool complete with crabs, shellfish and realistic wave surges.

One of Europe's largest specialist jellyfish tanks will be home to a group of seawater moon jellyfish where the ocean currents will be accurately simulated. There will also be an endangered Fijian coral reef, a spectacular mangrove swamp and a South American rainforest with atmospheric sounds and colourful flora and fauna like the monkey frog and leopard catfish.

The aquarium has enjoyed international support from marine biologists, habitat designers, environmental conservationists, aquatic experts, academics and educators since work began three years ago.

The Horniman, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, (on the South Circular Road -A205).
Entrance to the Aquarium, Museum and Gardens is free. A charge is made for major temporary exhibitions.

Special Events: July-Aug 2006

Oswald Hussain
Mon 17 July - Thurs 17 Aug 10.30am–5.30pm
Watch Oswald Hussain create beautiful carved objects inspired by the Amazon to Caribbean exhibition and his homeland of Guyana, near the north of the Amazon. Gallery Square Free admission

Park Life Capers
Discover new worlds and amazing adventures from the Bandstand with these interactive kids shows. In the Gardens Free admission.

Mariners Museum - Circo Rum Ba Ba
Fri 28 July 12-1pm, 2-3pm, 4-5pm
Journey inside the belly of a spectacular 50ft whale with an ancient mariner, as he leads you around the only living museum of deep-sea wonders. Discover mermaid's purses, an arm wrestling Octopus, a skeleton with xylophone ribs and a slippery sea monster. Queuing will be necessary.

Fishy Day Out - The Splott Brothers
Fri 4 Aug 12-12.45pm and 3.30-4.15pm
Be entertained by the quirky and eccentric Splott Brothers, as they enjoy a nautical day out with music and comedy.

Jason Maverick
Fri 11 Aug 12-12.45pm and 3.30-4.15pm
Enjoy Jason Maverick's aquarium inspired show - featuring a magical mix of comedy, robotic dancing, and juggling!

Anansie Stories from the Caribbean - Whippersnappers Theatre
Fri 18 Aug 12-12.45pm and 3.30-4.15pm
Anansie stories come to life in this fantastic interactive family show. Sing songs and be whisked off to the beautiful Caribbean.

Pirates of Hampshire Caribbean Adventure - Mark Mark Productions
Fri 25 Aug 12-12.45 and 3.30-4.15pm
Venture to the Caribbean with these swashbuckling seafarers and enjoy an adventure with swordfights and mayhem.

Thursday Lates
Come and enjoy our new programme of adult events happening on Thursday evenings throughout July and August.

48 Hour Salaam Music Village
Fanun Al: Yemen
Wed 5 July 7-9pm
Enjoy stunning music and dance from Yemen with traditional instruments and full Sanaani costume.

Morocco: Aissawa
Thurs 6 July 7-9pm
The renowned Aissawa brotherhood (first established in the 15th century) will mesmerise you with their Sufi chant and trance drumming. Bandstand Free admission. If there is rain, the concerts will take place in the Conservatory with limited places.

The Caribbean Big Screen
With the best views across London, enjoy the sunset over the city and relax to thrilling films. Bandstand in the Gardens.

Buena Vista Social Club (rating exempt)
Thurs 10 Aug 8.30-10pm
Fascinating documentary about ageing Cuban musicians brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, resulting in stunning and exciting musical performances.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Thurs 24 Aug 8.10-10.15pm
Swashbuckling adventure starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, as they set out on an adventure to recapture the Black Pearl ghost ship. Free admission. No booking required. Subject to cancellation if there is rain. Please ring 020 8699 1872 to check.

Special Events - Families

Amerindian Clay Pots - National Archaeology Days
Sat 15 and 22 July 11am - 12.30pm for children aged 8+, 1.30pm-2.15pm and 2.45-3.30pm for families with children aged 3+
Be inspired by the art and artefacts of the Amerindians, then make a pot to take home. Education Centre Free admission. For families with children aged 3+. Tickets available on the day half an hour before the start of the session from the Information Desk. Please arrive early to ensure a place.

Discovery Sessions for All
Sat 8, 22, 29 July and 12, 19, 26 Aug 2-3.30pm
Mon 24, 31 July and 14, 21 Aug 2.15-3.45pm
Tues 25, July and 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Aug 2.15-3.45pm
Explore some of the thousands of objects from around the world in our handling collection. Open a Discovery Box and be inspired by toys, musical instruments, puppets, masks, the natural world and much more. Hands On Base Free admission. Open to all. Drop in. Children must be aged 3+ and accompanied by an adult. Limited places. Maximum stay is 45 minutes.

Saving the Whales, Saving the Ocean
Thurs 3 Aug 1.30-2.30pm
Whales need healthy and safe oceans. Meet Willie McKenzie to learn how we can protect them and the oceans. Music Performance Space Free admission. Drop in. For families with children aged 3+. Please arrive early to ensure a place.

Meet the Experts
Meet Horniman staff and find out about our collections, gardens and exhibitions in this exciting family-friendly series. Free admission.

Bugs, Birds and Bogs
Wed 26 July and 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Aug 10.30am-4pm
Visit our Nature Trail (managed by the Trust for Urban Ecology) and ask the volunteers how they look after the trail and about the insects, birds, trees, plants, amphibians and some small mammals.

Amazing Antics of Animals in the Amazon
Thurs 24 Aug 1.30-2.30pm
Meet Jungle Jo Hatton, our Deputy Keeper of Natural History, to find out fun facts and to get up close and personal with animals from the rainforest. Amazon to Caribbean exhibition

Plants, People, Places
Thurs 27 July and 10, 17 Aug 1.30-2.30pm
Explore the new African Garden (featuring plants from BBC's Ground Force Africa Garden at the British Museum), with Gordon Lucas, Gardens Manager. Meet at the Information Desk at 1.25pm.

How The Horniman Walrus Lost Its Wrinkles
Thurs 31 Aug 1.30-2.30pm
Meet Alistair McKillop and Jungle Jo Hatton, and explore the wonderful world of taxidermy (stuffed animals) and have a go with fun-fur replicas. Natural History Gallery. Children must be 3+ and accompanied by an adult. Drop-in. Places are limited and queuing may be necessary for Thursday sessions.