River & Rowing Museum

The River & Rowing Museum is temporarily closed for building repair works. It is due to reopen in the spring of 2023.

A hidden gem on your doorstep, the family-friendly River & Rowing Museum is one of the wonderful places to go in Oxfordshire for families.

A highlight for children is the permanent Wind in the Willows exhibition bringing Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s story vividly to life. Visitors are invited to join Ratty, Toad, Mole and Badger as they picnic by the river, whilst the wicked weasels ransack Toad Hall.

This beautiful exhibition uses theatrical lighting, 3D models and audio guides to recreate the story. Find out more about the life of the author and the development of the book in the River Gallery. Other galleries tell the story of the international sport of rowing, the River Thames and the history of Henley-on-Thames.

There are plenty of free trails and colouring activities in the galleries to keep the children interested and the museum also provides families with backpacks full of games, stories and puzzles for children to take along with them while they explore. Youngsters can even try rowing on the ’Row Together’ interactive exhibit!

Pop outside to explore Ratty’s Refuge, a water vole friendly garden in the museum grounds. Including a pond, bog area and woodland, the garden is the ideal habitat for a range of wildlife. Find the sculptures of Ratty and his companions dotted around the garden, each in its appropriate habitat.

The cafe offers a delicious selection of handmade patisseries, savoury treats and daily specials, all of which can be enjoyed inside the bustling cafe or outside on the sunny terrace. The shop has brilliant books, toys, and games for all budgets.

Admission tickets give free entry for a year, so pay once and return as often as you like! Check the website for details of family-friendly exhibitions and creative workshops for children throughout the year.