25 July 2020

The River & Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames announces that it will re-open on 6 August, Thursday to Monday, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a special ticketed offer to see the final run of the acclaimed Gertrude Hermes exhibition.

‘We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce the re-opening of our Museum. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back! During the Museum’s closure in lockdown we’ve had a team working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the safe return of our visitors, staff and volunteers,’ Sarah Posey, director of the Museum, said. ‘Every single member of our team is committed to ensuring that your visit to the Museum on its reopening is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

The Museum celebrates this moment with an opportunity to catch the stunning art exhibition, Art of the Wild: Gertrude Hermes and the Natural World, cut short before lockdown. Special curator-led tours – starting on 13 August – will also be offered with this ‘last chance to see’. Hermes, an innovative wood engraver and printmaker, had a restless curiosity about the natural world, including the River Thames.

The Museum will be strictly limiting capacity in line with governmental social distancing guidelines, so visitors will enjoy the feeling of a more ‘exclusive access’.

Tickets must be booked in advance. More information, including how to book will be available during the week of 27 July.

This exhibition has been organised by the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford.

The upstairs galleries – including the International Rowing Gallery – will reopen in September.

Regarding safety: visitor safety is the Museum’s highest priority. The Museum will be adhering government guidelines to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors, staff and volunteers. Limiting visitor numbers will enable safe social distancing, hand sanitiser will be available and only contactless or card payments will be accepted. Friendly staff will be on hand to support visitors to have a great time and stay safe.

The Museum’s riverside Café will provide a takeaway service with outside seating space, so visitors can enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or wine, accompanied by sumptuous cakes, panini, sandwiches and ice creams. Picnic boxes will also be available – perfect for a lazy day by the banks of the river. Visitors need only bring a picnic blanket and a small selection of socially distancing friends.

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