What We Do

We invite visitors of all ages to dive into the interweaving stories of the River Thames and its flora and fauna, the international sport of rowing, and the rich culture and history of our local area.

We have incredible resources in our outstanding collections, including the national collection of rowing, our permanent and temporary displays, and our special riverside location. We use these to create a sense of belonging for our local communities, to make people happier and healthier, and to inspire change to help protect our planet.

The Museum Story

Our award-winning building - a take on the boathouses of Oxfordshire - first opened its doors in 1998.

Designed by renowned architect David Chipperfield, this was his first museum design, and won Royal Fine Art Commission Building of the Year 1999. Since then, its inspirational spaces have enabled the Museum’s communities to immerse themselves in the art and stories of the River Thames through learning events, exhibitions, and hands-on holiday activities. The Museum’s collection includes some 35,000 items.

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Boathouse building against blue sky next to green trees
A lady with glasses and white turtleneck carefully inspects stained glass artwork

Communities

We serve communities of all sizes, from our immediate area to the international rowing community - all find a home within our doors.

Our communities are hugely important to us and we ensure our work delivers for you. Our dedicated Community Gallery showcases artworks from local community groups, amplifying their messages to our substantial audience. Collaborative work with community groups and local artists is something we value highly.

Organisations like ours rely on being able to amplify the voices of communities both local and global. If you’d like to work with us or share the museum collection, get in touch with us to start up the conversation.

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Work with us

We are recruiting!

Would you like to work in one of Henley’s most iconic buildings? Find out more about our current roles and opportunities:

Work with us

Two silver rowing trophies stand on a table, with one supported by somebody wearing white cotton gloves. There are books and archive boxes in the background.

Curatorial Services

Our Curatorial Team work hard behind the scenes to look after our Collections, provide access to researchers and much more.

Do you have an object that you think should be in the River & Rowing Museum’s collection? Would you like to borrow something from the Museum’s collection? Do you have something you would like to research using the Museum’s archives and library?

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Events & Space Hire

A riverbank location, an award-winning building.

Hold your event in the quiet surroundings of the River Thames, among the weeping willows of Mill Meadows.

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A greay lock keeper's shed with a buoy hanging next to the door

Trustees

Our Trustees are responsible for shaping the Museum’s future.

Meet our trustees

Policies

RRM policies and procedures underpin a safe and effective environment for staff and visitors

Download our museum-wide policy documents or Strategy:

Strategic Plan 2024-2027

Privacy Policy

Refund Policy

Online Safeguarding Policy

Equality & Diversity Policy

Access Policy

Curatorial-specific policies and procedures are found below:

Curatorial Services

The oak and concrete construction of the museum building are shown to striking architectural effect against a blue sky and partly obscured by a dark, angular shadow

Contact Us

Have a look at out FAQs for frequent queries:

FAQs

Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the link below:

Contact Us

Never Miss The Boat

Two men and a woman using tin plates to row a canoe in the 1930s

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