Museum of Richmond

About the museum

The Museum of Richmond grew out of an effort by local residents in the early 1980s, led by the local historian John Cloake, who wanted a properly run museum that would be open to the public at least five days a week with some professional staff. Its displays were first designed by local people together with exhibition designers. Queen Elizabeth II opened it on 28 October 1988 as part of the new Riverside Development.

The museum tells the story of Richmond from prehistory, through its rise as a royal residence in the medieval period, to its later role as a centre of the arts and fashion. It is housed on the second floor of the Old Town Hall, which is owned by the local council, while the museum itself is an independent charity and a tenant in the building.

The collection covers the area of the former borough of Richmond, which was made up of Richmond, Ham, Petersham and Kew. It started with objects from the old borough collection and has grown to more than 5,000 items, including archaeology, costume, toys and games, and domestic and social history. The museum is an Accredited Museum run by a small professional team, many volunteers and a board of trustees, and it also runs temporary exhibitions, talks and learning programmes.

Highlights

• Story of Richmond from prehistory to the present
• Collection of more than 5,000 objects, including archaeology, costume and toys
• Free family trails and craft sessions
• Monthly LEGO Club for children
• Visual stories and sensory maps for visitors with additional needs

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent displays on Richmond's history – Galleries that follow the history of Richmond from prehistory through its time as a royal residence to its role in the arts and fashion.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Museum of Richmond (independent charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. Donations are welcome because the museum is a charity. Some family workshops and evening talks are ticketed separately (family workshops are £6 per child, with accompanying adults free).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on the second floor of the Old Town Hall and is on one level once inside, with no steps or ramps. At the time of research there was no step-free access from street level to the ground floor because the lift at the disabled entrance was out of order and awaiting repair by the building's owner. An accessible toilet is by the disabled entrance on Whittaker Avenue, and a second toilet is on the first floor. Seats are placed in the middle of each main gallery and can be moved. Assistance dogs, including emotional support dogs, are welcome. Visual stories, sensory maps and a bag of sensory supplies (such as ear defenders and fidget toys) are available, and an AccessAble access guide and a full access statement are published.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Free family trails follow two costumed characters through the galleries with puzzles and prizes, and free craft sessions run from 1pm on weekdays and from 10am on Saturdays. A free LEGO Club meets on one Saturday a month, from 1pm to 3pm, with no booking needed; under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Paid family workshops run in the school holidays. There is no proper baby-changing room, but a changing mat and wipes are available in the museum's work room, and a toilet kit for young children can be used in the first-floor toilet. There are no nappy bins.

Getting there & parking

By car, leave the M3 for the A316, take the first exit at St Margaret's roundabout onto the A3004, cross Richmond Bridge and turn left onto Hill Street; the Old Town Hall is on the left on Whittaker Avenue.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no café in the museum; cafés and restaurants are nearby in Richmond.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit