Re-development of Horniman gardens begins

17:17 5th January 2011

Greenhouse enthusiasts may be interested to hear restoration of the 100-year-old gardens of London's Horniman Museum has begun.

Originally home to the philanthropist Frederick Horniman, the 6.5 hectare gardens in Forest Hill were presented to the people of London over a hundred years ago to complement the museum.

A National Lottery Parks for People grant of nearly £1 million will be used alongside other donations from charities including the Wolfson Foundation to re-develop its sunken garden.

Meanwhile, another key part of the plans is the creation of a world food garden, which will contain a variety of plants used for food, textiles and medicine.

It will include food plants such as sugar cane, callaloo and pumpkins, plus crops like flax and raffia palms which are used as clothing fibres.

Dye plants such as false saffron will be planted there too, while herbs and spices will make up the medicinal content.