Forest Hill’s Horniman Museum has new entrance to its Natural History Gallery with space for new exhibitions.

The original 1901 entrance has been improved and opens today (March 12) thanks to £70,000 funding, which allows more of the museum’s collection to be on display as well as room for artists and others to display work inspired by the museum.

Areas in the redeveloped entrance explore our longstanding fascination with nature and there is a section dedicated to Frederick Hormiman’s natural history collection and the formation of his founding collection.

The Horniman’s keeper of natural history Jo Hatton said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to display more of our stored collection and share our finest natural history ‘treasures’ with our visitors. 

“The new displays showcase a wide range of exciting specimens, some of them old favourites, and include spectacular taxidermy specimens, Horniman butterflies and beetles – named for our founder Frederick Horniman – and fabulous fossils.’

The first display in the new space is Polly Morgan’s Taxidermy is Dead (Long Live Taxidermy) which features her recent work and can be seen until June 7.

Entry to the gallery is free.