Musical Museum

About the museum

The Musical Museum was founded in 1963 by Frank Holland, who began with a private collection of about half a dozen reproducing pianos. He was given use of the former St George’s Church in Brentford to bring the instruments together under one roof. The loan was meant to last two years, but the museum stayed for around forty.

In 1966 the collection became a charitable trust under the name British Piano Museum. Early visitors included famous pianists who had recorded piano rolls in the early twentieth century and came to hear themselves play. Over the years the collection grew to cover a wide range of instruments and inventions that tell the story of how music has been recorded and reproduced.

The current building was designed for the museum and opened in June 2008. Its shell was paid for by a Heritage Lottery grant, and volunteers moved the collection and set up the galleries. Besides the galleries it holds a workshop, a concert hall, a library for more than 20,000 music rolls and a cafe overlooking the river. The Korg Gallery, a newer addition, covers the history of electronic instruments.

Highlights

• Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ
• Reproducing pianos that replay famous performances
• Violano Virtuoso self-playing violins
• Orchestrions such as “Claribella”
• Korg Gallery with a hands-on area for electronic sound
• Library of more than 20,000 music rolls

Permanent exhibitions

• Main collection – Three galleries of working self-playing instruments, from reproducing pianos and orchestrions to the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ, telling the story of recorded and reproduced music.
• Korg Gallery – More than fifty classic and modern electronic instruments, with a hands-on area, tracing the history of music technology.

Founded

1963

Admission & discounts

Group prices are not published.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Accessible toilets are available. Further access information is not published on the museum’s website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Special family and children’s tours for ages 5 to 12 run on selected dates and end with a sing-along at the Wurlitzer organ; children must be accompanied by an adult. The Korg Gallery has an interactive area where visitors can make their own sounds.

Getting there & parking

Reachable from the M4 and the North and South Circular roads. A small cycle rack is in front of the museum; Brentford High Street is on cycleway 9.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The River View Café overlooks the Thames and is open to the public without a museum ticket. The gift shop sells musical souvenirs. Free guest Wi-Fi covers the building, with a faster option available for a fee.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

The concert hall has a stage, sprung dance floor, cinema screen and sound and lighting; up to 250 people (110 seated at tables). The museum is licensed and can arrange catering.

Plan your visit