Horniman Museum’s cafe reopens following six-week closure

The Horniman Museum in south London has reopened its cafe following a six-week refurbishment inspired by the museum’s architecture and surroundings.

(c) Adam Luszniak

Inside, muted green and stone colours refresh the walls, chosen to reflect the ‘Humanity in the House of Circumstance’ mosaic looking out to London Road. The paints chosen from Graphenstone Paints, are the most eco-friendly in the world and have saved 92kg of CO2 emissions.

A metalwork screen, which loops around booth seats upholstered in recycled wool, took inspiration from architect Charles Harrison Townsend’s Tree of Life motif carved above the Clocktower on the original Museum building.

A keen eye will find echoes of the Conservatory in the timber shingle wall finish decorated with the same scalloped geometry. Each shingle has been hand-finished in Cumbria using local chestnut wood.

To contain noise levels, a cork finish has been laid underfoot with acoustic properties. Timber terrazzo tables, made using waste wood, were selected for their natural and textured finish.

The cafe will be run by Colicci, who won a contract in March 2024.