A famously overstuffed dead walrus is to make its longest journey in years... to the seaside!

The Horniman Museum and Gardens' iconic exhibit is set to have his first 'sniff' of sea air for more than 100 years next year.

It will make its trip to the Turner Contemporary museum in Margate as part of a new Hayward Touring exhibition called Curiosity: Art & The Pleasures of Knowing.

The walrus has had pride of place in the Horniman’s Natural History gallery since 1901 and has moved no more than 25 feet in that time.

He is a firm favourite with museum visitors, and will be a key piece in the exhibition when it opens in Margate on May 25.

Victoria Pomery, director of Turner Contemporary, said: "Artists’ curiosity about the world and how it informs their artistic production is at
the heart of this exhibition.

the horniman walrus was brought to london by the game hunter james henry hubbard from hudson bay in canada
in 1890, frederick horniman bought the walrus and put it on display
since then it has only moved 25 feet, during a gallery re-display.

walrus facts

it was exhibited in the indian and colonial exhibition, south kensington, london in 1886

when the new horniman museum was finished in 1901,the walrus was moved to the natural history gallery

"The show brings together a wealth of wonderful artefacts and artworks by leading historical and contemporary artists.

"The opportunity to see such an extensive range of material allows visitors to think more about the role that curiosity plays in all our lives."

Alongside the walrus will be a penguin brought back from a Shackleton
expedition, on loan from The Powell-Cotton Museum, and the tusk of a Narwhal from The Beaney.

Janet Vitmayer CBE, Director of the Horniman said: "We are delighted that the walrus is to be a part of the Hayward Touring exhibition Curiosity: Art & The Pleasures of Knowing on his first outing from the Horniman.

"Loaning objects and artworks is an important part of the work of all museums and galleries, and we’re glad to give visitors to Turner Contemporary in Margate the chance to enjoy one of our most popular exhibits in a new context."