Probably London's best museum outside Zone 1

• Price: Free (some exhibitions vary)

• Location: Forest Hill

• Nearest station: Forest Hill

• Website: www.horniman.ac.uk

So you like museums but want to escape the tourist crowds? There are a good few you can go to in London. And there's one hidden gem in the south of the city that really aught to be on your "must visit" list.

Way off the beaten track from all the hustle and bustle of the West End is the Horniman Museum. The venue hosts a fantastic collection of items that'll give you and the kids a real learning experience. Exhibited items include

• Egyptian mummies

• Figurines

• Sculptures

• Historical clothing

• Taxidermy

• Animal skeletons

• Musical instruments

For just an extra £4, you can access the aquarium (£2.50 for kids)... Yes you read that correctly. Just 4 quid allows you to get close with life underwater. Here you can view the fascinating creatures that live in tropical rain forests, seas, ponds or even a good old fashioned British river! Fans of Finding Nemo will be especially excited to see clown fish!

The space is home to the personal collection of Frederick John Horniman, a Victorian tea trader and Philanthropist. This worldly Londoner gathered a number of interesting artifacts from far flung destinations such as Canada, United States, Egypt, China, Sri Lanka, Burma and Japan. It was his vision to bring the globe to Forest Hill.

I've found similar exhibitions in central London, but few game me the extra breathing space found at Horniman. The location can can be reached via a short train journey from London bridge.

To me, this is one of South London's finest attractions and well worth your time. This gem offers you so much to uncover and expand your brain. Plus the free price tag is ever more enticing.

#Museum #ForestHill #SouthEast #SouthLondon #Animals #Fish #History #Free #Educational