Antique Breadboard Museum
A small private museum in a Putney home showing Victorian and later breadboards and bread knives, visited on hosted tours by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Antique Breadboard Museum is an independent micro-museum in Putney, south-west London. It presents itself as the first museum devoted to breadboards. The collection was built up over many years by an antique dealer, Rosslyn Neave, and is now cared for and shown by her daughter, who acts as curator.
The collection is shown in the front room of a Victorian cottage. It consists of breadboards and bread knives dating from the 1840s onwards. The boards show a range of carving techniques, designs and mottos, and some were mass produced while others are one-offs.
Visits take the form of hosted tours in which the curator tells the stories of past owners, explains the carving skills and lets visitors handle the pieces and look at primary sources. Research on individual boards, a timeline of breadboards from the 1830s onwards, and a book on vintage breadboards (Prospect Books, 2019) accompany the museum. The owners have said that items will gradually be rehomed through an auction house.
Highlights
- Small collection of antique breadboards and bread knives from the 1840s onwards
- Hands-on, hosted tours in a Victorian cottage
- Boards with political, religious and domestic mottos
- Homemade cream tea included with the tour
- Operated by
- Madeleine, Rosslyn and Nicholas Neave
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £50 |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Tours are for groups only: minimum group rate for 1 to 4 visitors; maximum 5 guests. |
| Minimum group rate (1 to 4 visitors at £50 each, including cream tea) | £200 |
| Group of 5 guests (maximum, including cream tea) | £250 |
£50 per person including a homemade cream tea. Payment is by bank transfer before the tour date. Solo visitors and groups of two or three may book out the gallery for the minimum group rate, or are sometimes able to join another group if there is space.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tour takes place in the front room of a Victorian cottage; the website gives no information on step-free access.
Kids & families
Tours are aimed at small groups of friends and family and are offered for celebrations such as birthday teas.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Putney Bridge
Nearest stations: Putney Bridge (District line), East Putney (District line) and Putney (National Rail, South Western Railway).
By car
On Saturdays: Waitrose car park on Lacy Road (minimum spend required), metered bays nearby, or a visitor permit bought from the museum for £8. Parking is free on Sundays.
Traffic around Putney Bridge is heavy and the museum recommends public transport. The exact address is given when the booking is made.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
A homemade cream tea is included in the tour; dietary alternatives can be arranged.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
Up to 5 guests.
Evening wine and cheese parties for 5 guests are offered (bring your own wine); enquire by email.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits are hosted tours led by the curator, typically about an hour of history, handling of the collection and viewing of primary sources, followed by about an hour of cream tea. Small groups only (maximum 5 guests). Visitors may bring their own breadboard to share stories about it. |
