River & Rowing Museum
River & Rowing Museum
4
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The River & Rowing Museum, set by the river in picturesque Henley on Thames, brings the river, rowing and the arts to life in a series of stunning galleries and temporary exhibitions. The Museum, housed in stunning oak clad building designed by award winning architect David Chipperfield, is home to the UK's only gallery dedicated to the work of prolific British artist John Piper. Families are welcomed to the Museum, and the permanent Wind in the Willows walk through experience is enormously popular with visitors of all ages!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
389 reviews
Excellent
189
Very good
140
Average
33
Poor
14
Terrible
13
E005
London, UK9 contributions
Dec 2019
We were disappointed to find out that the annual tickets have more than doubled in price. The RRM offers a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours and the cafe is nice too, however, at the newly inflated prices it no longer offers value so sadly, we won’t be renewing our passes. Day tickets are now available which is good but again, overpriced. For those prices I’d look to visit somewhere that you could make a day of it.
It’s a shame as the RRM always offered a reasonable wet weather option and the staff are friendly, an increase of 50% would have been tolerable but this just seems greedy.
It’s a shame as the RRM always offered a reasonable wet weather option and the staff are friendly, an increase of 50% would have been tolerable but this just seems greedy.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you are not happy with the new ticket pricing. We are aiming to make the museum more accessible, opening ourselves up to those looking for a lower cost option for admission, and who plan only to visit once, hence the introduction of the Day Ticket.
The Annual Pass has been under-priced for some time, and this is not sustainable in the long term.
The new prices continue to represent excellent value for money, with unlimited admission for annual pass holders over a 12month period.
We are non profit making and, as a registered charity, our admissions income is vital to allow us to continue to deliver our programme of activity, maintain the building, collections and install our temporary exhibitions and displays.
Written 30 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve H
5 contributions
Feb 2020
I visited the River and Rowing Museum at the weekend with my wife and two children, aged 7 and 4. I wanted to say what a very enjoyable day we had!
The 'Wind in the Willows' exhibit is fantastic! So creative and well done, absolutely enchanting! The children were entranced by it, it was a delight to watch them play in the caravan and look through the various little windows into the magical world you've created. It is so in keeping with the classic artwork of the book, a detail often lost in modern interpretations of classic children's books. We looked through the gallery three times in total!
The curators have really struck a great balance in the museum. Nothing feels 'dumbed down' to make it only child friendly, there is great scope to come back many times as the children develop.
Being able to sit in the Trireme was a thrill for my children. Then to have a pull on the Ergo, it really made them feel the part - and gave me a chance to do my first bit of rowing coaching for both of my children!
I haven't mentioned how thrilling it is to be so close to such historically important river craft that you look after and in some cases to see film of them being used in anger. In short, there is far too much to recommend!
I would urge anyone to visit, even if they only had a passing interest in things river based. But for a keen lover of our wonderful river and boating, it is a treat we will remember and come back too again. It is a great museum that's just about perfect!
The 'Wind in the Willows' exhibit is fantastic! So creative and well done, absolutely enchanting! The children were entranced by it, it was a delight to watch them play in the caravan and look through the various little windows into the magical world you've created. It is so in keeping with the classic artwork of the book, a detail often lost in modern interpretations of classic children's books. We looked through the gallery three times in total!
The curators have really struck a great balance in the museum. Nothing feels 'dumbed down' to make it only child friendly, there is great scope to come back many times as the children develop.
Being able to sit in the Trireme was a thrill for my children. Then to have a pull on the Ergo, it really made them feel the part - and gave me a chance to do my first bit of rowing coaching for both of my children!
I haven't mentioned how thrilling it is to be so close to such historically important river craft that you look after and in some cases to see film of them being used in anger. In short, there is far too much to recommend!
I would urge anyone to visit, even if they only had a passing interest in things river based. But for a keen lover of our wonderful river and boating, it is a treat we will remember and come back too again. It is a great museum that's just about perfect!
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review Steve. We're so thrilled that you all got so much from your day at the Museum. We have some wonderful temporary exhibitions coming up, which the whole family will love, such as Elmer & Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee, as well as our Family Fun Day in April - Birds of Prey. We look forward to welcoming you and your family again soon.
Written 4 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pandtReading
reading254 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
An interesting gallery that presents a history of rowing, river information and history of Henley. There is a wind in the willows exhibition that needed interpretations.
The food and service in the cafe was lovely and there was an unhurried atmospgmhere.
We went with grandchildren age 5 and 7.
Well worth supporting and lots to see for 3 hours.
The food and service in the cafe was lovely and there was an unhurried atmospgmhere.
We went with grandchildren age 5 and 7.
Well worth supporting and lots to see for 3 hours.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyneve
2 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Grandchildren used to love this museum but arrived 3.30 Friday (my mistake) to be told it shut at 4 pm and no refund .Ran through toad of toad hall exhibition -grabbed small toy for child ~ and left ~but not before paying for an hours car parking ! No receipt issued and disabled not free . Advise blue badge holders to park in front facing river where it is free .Seems to be staffed by volunteers.One young girl very rude when I complained about greedy ,money grabbing , rip off place it has become ,and grinning ,she waved rudely as if to say clear off pensioner we’re closed .Not a nice place to go anymore and used to pay for annual membership ! Sad .
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fuggysmate
1 contribution
May 2021
Exhibits very tired especially wind in the willows - Elmer not sure what this is about. Other exhibits not lit well so could not view what was in the display case. Cafe expensive for a burnt omelette New have to pay to park is a rip off
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adinerrichard
Glastonbury, UK50 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
This is the first time since 2019 that I have been to the museum. It is as good as ever and very child friendly. As I was there with my baby granddaughter, it was the first time I had rally looked at the Wind in the Willows gallery and it really is rather good. The little lass also thoroughly enjoyed the children's play area. The Museum seems to be thriving under its relatively new director.
Written 16 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda W
Oxford, England1,149 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Wonderful museum. Went for the afternoon but you would need more than a day to see the whole museum. We concentrated on the Henley history gallery. Lovely Wind in the Willows display which children would adore - reminded me of department store Christmas grottoes from years ago. Parking at the back which is free for blue badge holders. All wheelchair accessible.
Written 4 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewart&Rosemary
Buckinghamshire ENGLAND48 contributions
Jul 2021
Oh dear.We did go regularly before the pandemic so finally went today 16th July.We are pensioners .Got there for coffee and cake then went for a walk and back for lunch.It was as good as last time.But what I found disappointing was to be charged parking after spending over £30 in the restaurant and shop.Nobody or signage mentioned parking charges brought in over the pandemic.At 1 o’clock three tables were in use.Now I understand why.Sainsbury gives you back parking.Good luck to the new policy which I think is short sighted.We won’t go back and by the looks of it nobody else is also.
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
14Lady14
Bristol, UK35 contributions
Aug 2022
Great place to visit. Staff very pleasant and helpful. Volunteers do a great job. Excellent parking, very near to the river.
Avoid the cafe which is run independently. Dirty. No tables cleaned after each customer.
Could be lovely, needs new management. Staff inappropriately dressed..
Beautiful setting, such a waste.
Avoid the cafe which is run independently. Dirty. No tables cleaned after each customer.
Could be lovely, needs new management. Staff inappropriately dressed..
Beautiful setting, such a waste.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek S
Warwickshire1 contribution
Jun 2022
Went there to meet friends for coffe to sadly find it closed on Tuesday of this week.Website confusing as said was open... as did the main sign at the padlocked gate. Been here so many times over the years and very disappointed not to be able to visit. We had come a long way and were excited about the prospect of visiting again. Missing a trick if its not open as so many visitors in town for the womens regatta which starts next week. Maybe they cant get the staff but what a shame. Locals we spoke to said similar.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have some 1957/8 programmes from regattas -Henley Town, Marlow, Kingston ,reading . Would you like them for your archives ?
Written 31 May 2017
Hi, thanks for getting in touch! We would be very interested in finding out more about the Regatta programmes. Please can you contact our curatorial department to discuss further? Unfortunately I am unable to add our contact details here however if visit our website you will be able to find the relevant emails and telephone numbers on the collections page.
Many thanks
Written 12 June 2017
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