Saturday 17th January 2026 – 11:00–15:30
Led by Sarah Minty and Nigel Gibson
In 2026, we begin our sketch walk schedule at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, South East London.
Horniman Museum and Gardens is a unique cultural space that brings together art, anthropology, and the natural world in one place. Founded in 1901, it’s best known for its fascinating global collections, from musical instruments and world cultures to natural history specimens. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens with panoramic views over London, The Horniman offers plenty of sketching opportunities, inside and out.
The museum is aware of our visit. They ask that only dry materials are used for drawing inside the museum.
Key times and meeting points for the day
11am: Meet by the bandstand behind the main museum building.
What3words location: ///insect.achieving.lively
Google map location: 100 London Road, London SE23 3PQ
1.00pm: We will meet in the Dutch barn (opposite the bandstand) to look at our sketches
3.30pm: Back to the same location as the first throw down to look at drawings and take group photographs
Afterwards
We will go to The Signal Pub (7 Devonshire Rd, London SE23 3HE) for a quick drink afterwards. The pub is located opposite Forest Hill Station.
Practical information
Travel
The Horniman is a 10 minute walk from Forest Hill station and is signposted from the platform 1 exit (towarBus number 185 stops at the station and Museum if you don’t fancy the walk. Forest Hill is on the Windrush line between Highbury and Islington and West Croydon / Crystal Palace / Clapham Junction line which offers a high frequency service from North, East and South London.
The station is also well served by trains from Central London, Croydon and Surrey. Direct train services run from London Bridge (approx every half an hour, journey time 20 minutes) linking with the Northern and Jubilee lines, and London Victoria linking with the Victoria, Circle and District lines, East Croydon, West Croydon, Sutton, Purley and Caterham. Please use the Journey Planner to the right or visit TFL Journey Planner or National Rail Enquiries.
The museum is also well served by local bus services, and there are direct buses to the Horniman from around south London (P4, 185, 197, 363). There are direct buses from central London (route 176 and 185).
Toilets
Toilets are available inside the museum and outside in the gardens
Sketching options
Horniman Museum: it is known for its large colleciton on taxidermied animals; its collection of musical instruments from all over the world, is one of the most comprehansive in the UK.
The Conservatory: the Grade II listed structure dating back to 1894 was moved from Hornimans’ family house in Croydon to the present site in the 1980s.
Museum Gardens: the gardens are open to the public and is free to enter. Please note the Aquarium and the butterfly House charge an entry fee and may require advance booking.
The bandstand and the views acroos london are spectacular on a clear day.
