A trip down memory lane to Horniman's Museum

On my husband's actual birthday last Monday we decided to visit a museum that neither of us had set foot in for nearly 50 years! As a child I lived in Peckham, South East London and 2 of my cousins lived at Forest Hill right next to Horniman's Park and museum. My brother and I spend countless days playing in the park with our 2 cousins. Those were the days when you went out to play and only went home when it got dark.

We were so lucky with the weather, it was cold but gloriously sunny. I looked up at the old part of the museum and the memories flooded back.

 This original part of the museum opened in 1901. If you are interest this is a link to the museum web site 

However with lottery funding there are now 2 fabulous extensions. 

 The gardens are gorgeous and the old band stand has been restored. When I was a child in the summer on a Sunday seating was put out and a band played to the gathered audience.

 The view from the summit of the gardens looks right out across London. When I was a child there was no Shard to be seen! Now the city is clearly visible in the distance.

Inside the old part of the museum still looked just as it did to me as a child but things have had a lick of paint and a tidy up. Even the old stuffed walrus is still there!

There are treasures from all around the world.

We had a delicious lunch in the Victorian conservatory

and visited the aquarium which although it has been completely modernised has an original "aquarium" from the Victorian era.

How delightful is this?

It was full of sweet anemones. 

There were other fantastic tanks too.

and yes some of my favourite sea creature, sea horses.

We had such a wonderful day and before we drove home we took a further trip down memory lane driving past my old family home and childhood haunts.

My card is one inspired by this gorgeous museum and Victorian era in which it opened. I used one of my treasured Tim Holtz paper doll and used a gellprint background from my stash. Extra stamping including the sentiment are from my Visible Image stash.. The world die is also by Tim Holtz..one of my favourite ever dies.

I could imagine this being a young Frederick Horniman, thinking about his future grand tours around the world where he would be able to buy artifacts to share in his amazing museum.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Pixie's snippets challenge #370
Through the craft room door 1/3 anything goes
Creative fingers 1/3 anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to leave your kind comments. Have a lovely week ahead. I am off to meet my dear blogging friend Brenda at Wisley today and enjoy the latest splendours Mother Nature will share with us here..and yes my camera is packed.

Back soon,

Bue for now,

Jane x