Exhibition of Myths and Monsters

The perfect antidote to all the hearts, flowers and soppiness of Valentine's Day, Horniman Museum, in south London, is opening an exhibition about monsters this weekend.

Featuring animatronic models, specimens and photography, it explores the world of the cyclops, unicorn, yeti, dragon, chimera and other mythical beasts.

Called Myths and Monsters, the exhibition looks at the historical facts behind, and possible scientific explanations for, mythical creatures. It explores origin of the cyclops, the links between dragons and the dinosaurs, and why the yeti is the monster most likely to be real.

Myths and Monsters runs from Saturday 13 February to Sunday 5 September. It is at Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ. Telephone 020 8699 1872 or visit http://www.horniman.ac.uk/. The opening hours are 10.30am – 5.30pm.

You can read my review of the book On Monsters: An Unnatural History of our Worst Fears at http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/01/review-on-monsters-history-of-our-fears.html