The Horniman Conservatory is one of Horniman's standout architectural features. So, it might surprise some to learn that it has only been open in the Gardens since 1989.

Of course, the Conservatory itself is a lot older than that. It was originally constructed in 1894, at the Horniman family home, Coombe Cliff House which is where Frederick Horniman’s parent’s lived, in Croydon until his mothers death in 1900.

The house was eventually left abandoned and suffered from neglect, it was damaged further by a fire in 1977.

Eventually, it was decided that the best way to preserve the listed building was to dismantle and move it to another location. This work began in 1981, the dismantled Conservatory was eventually moved to the Horniman in 1986, and reconstruction began in June 1987. The Conservatory officially opened in the Horniman Gardens in October of that year.

Conservatories were popular additions to large houses in the 19th century. The Coombe Cliff conservatory was constructed by Glasgow firm of MacFarlane’s, Scotland at the time a world leader in architectural, decorative cast ironwork. The cast-iron work-panels, fish scales and cresting’s, all show the wealth of pattern available. The decoration is ornate but lightens the effect of the structure and gives it an airy appearance belying the weight of the materials from which is it made.

Today, the Conservatory is used regularly for photoshoots, weddings and civil ceremonies, birthdays and more recently funerals. 

If you are interested in holding an event at the Horniman Conservatory, please get in touch with the Venue Hire Team at venuehire@horniman.ac.uk