The Horniman Museum will reopen its doors to the public on July 30, for the first time since mid-March.

Visitors, including members, will need to book for a free, timed entry slot via the website, giving them access to the popular galleries of natural history, world cultures and musical instruments.

The Permian Monsters exhibition will also reopen on 30 July, however, some attractions will remain closed initially, including the Aquarium and Butterfly House, and some interactive exhibits have been removed or covered up.

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive, said: “Our priority as we return is to increase the diversity of our visitors, address our colonial history and accelerate work on the climate and ecological emergency.”

The museum came under-fire from anti-racism activists in June, who claimed founder Frederik Horniman was a shrunken head collecting, plantation owner.

In response, the museum clarified that Horniman did not own slaves or plantations, although the wealth upon which the collection was built derived from the exploitation of workers in the British Empire.

Social distancing and other safety measures will be in place throughout, including hand sanitisation stations, an enhanced cleaning regime, updated signage and a one-way visitor route.

During the Museum’s 134-day closure, the Gardens have remained open, giving local residents much-needed green space for their daily exercise during the Coronavirus lockdown.