Our small branch site tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames - the Riverside Museum occupies two Listed former waterworks buildings, the Screen House and the Turbine House. It is open every day from April to September, from 10am to 6pm.
The Screen House displays our beautiful gypsy caravan built by Reading firm Dunton and Sons to the 'Ledge' design, and a video about gypsy life. You can also see a variety of objects illustrating life by the river, from stuffed fish to regatta tickets, including a medieval wooden wheel from St Giles Mill found during archaeological excavations at the site of The Oracle shopping centre.
The Turbine House is a unique Victorian building that spans the River Kennet, with views across the water. It houses preserved turbine machinery and since 2003 has been hosting a programme of summertime art exhibitions and events by the local cultural community.
The Riverside Museum a 15 to 20 minute stroll from Reading Museum through the historic Abbey Quarter. Find out how to get to the Riverside Museum.
Riverside Museum Summer 2019
Paper: Work: Space: (Air)
Friday 28 June – Sunday 7 July
Three artists working on paper, with paper and in paper present an original encounter with images, illustrations, books and bookish things. Throughout the exhibition, the artists Linda Newcombe, Sue Clarke and Squirrel Ink will be in residence making works in paper at the space. Special events: Friday 28 June 4pm an invitation to read a wordless book aloud and Friday 5 July 4pm: ‘Books That Perform’.
4 Art Teachers
Monday 15 July – Friday 19 July
Interdisciplinary work by 4 Art teachers who live and work in the region.
Work includes painting, digital print on textile and mixed media reflecting a range of themes.
Qui, Ora – Images of Reading by Gabriele Gelsi
24 July – 31 July 2019
Photography involves a choice. It is a reflection on a portion of reality. Whenever you look at a still image, the only certainty is that it reflects something which has taken place: that person, that object - or both- were there when someone took a picture of them it. I use the past tense because, as Barthes says in Camera Lucida, photography is "a figuration of the motionless and made-up face beneath which we see the dead."
Qui, ora ("here, now") is an attempt to capture life, and how its constant motion can be translated into still images.
Exhibiting at the Turbine House
To enquire about exhibiting or for further information about the summer programme of community art exhibitions at the Turbine House please use our enquiry form.
Riverside Museum is opened by our partners at the neighbouring Bel and the Dragon restaurant.
An outstanding and astonishing tiny museum. I love it!
Riverside Museum visitor
