Eel Pie Island Museum

Eel Pie Island Museum Trad Jazz, Skiffle, Blues, British Beat, Prog Rock, Heavy Rock, Psychedelia and even a touch of Glam.

Jazz Ravers, Rockers, Mods, Hippies and Beatniks...
The fantastic musical history made on Eel Pie Island encompasses it all, plus it has a fascinating riparian heritage, all of which is set to be celebrated in our forthcoming museum. Building on two books and a successful exhibition in 2013, project organiser Michele Whitby says 'It has been a long term ambition of mine to establish a museum dedic

ated to the fantastic, inspiring history of Eel Pie Island. The appeal of music heritage is only increasing and we need to show the world what we have to offer here in Twickenham.'
In 2015 we ran a pop-up museum in Twickenham Library from June until the end of October which saw over 1200 visitors. We have moved into new premises and are hoping to be open early 2017. In the meantime, we would appreciate you spreading the word for us; Invite your friends to hit the 'like' button, let us know if you'd like to get more involved, tell us if you or your business would like to be a sponsor, or perhaps you have items that could be loaned for display? This is being set up for the world-wide Eel Pie community and we'd love you to feel part of it!

28/08/2026

100 years apart but connected by the same extraordinary tradition.

This is Thomas George Mackenzie Green, winner of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager in 1926.

Earlier this year, his family very generously gifted The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames Thomas’s full regalia, making an already remarkable piece of our history even more special.

It therefore feels particularly fitting to share this wonderful photograph of Thomas in his regalia 100 years on from his victory.

Next week, on 2 September, we will see the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager 2026 take place. This is a truly prestigious race and a profound part of history and heritage. It is a tradition that has endured for centuries, and long may it continue to remain a living link between generations of Freemen, the Company and the River Thames.

To all the Freemen competing for the Coat and Badge next week, we wish you the very best of luck. Jack, Charlie and Callum, we will be cheering you on!

Great evening at the museum, followed by a talk from our superstar Pete Watt, about the incredible music heritage of Eel...
27/08/2026

Great evening at the museum, followed by a talk from our superstar Pete Watt, about the incredible music heritage of Eel Pie Island 🧡 we even had a genuine rock god in attendance 😎🤘 thank you to everyone who came. Your support means the world to us 🧡

The fabulous Mystery Jets…along with a little glimpse into the museum 🧡😎🤘
23/08/2026

The fabulous Mystery Jets…along with a little glimpse into the museum 🧡😎🤘

Hidden away in London is the small but mighty Eel Pie Island just off Twickenham.

20/08/2026
Great to see this lovely lot again 😎🤘 We Love you! 🧡 🇦🇷 😃
20/08/2026

Great to see this lovely lot again 😎🤘 We Love you! 🧡 🇦🇷 😃

Our fab friends Sheba and Simon, and our Pete gets a little look in too 😎🤘🧡
14/08/2026

Our fab friends Sheba and Simon, and our Pete gets a little look in too 😎🤘🧡

There’s a private island hidden in the River Thames in London with ...

70 years ago this very evening, Ken Colyer and his band were raising the roof with New Orleans jazz at the official open...
10/08/2026

70 years ago this very evening, Ken Colyer and his band were raising the roof with New Orleans jazz at the official opening of ‘Eelpiland’, kicking off what was to become a thirteen year soundtrack of groundbreaking music - Jazz, Blues, RnB, British Beat, Rock, Psychedelia, Prog and early Metal…on this little island called Eel Pie. That musical legacy is still very much alive in waters of the Twickenham Thames - we have just had TWO fantastic festival days in the space of two weeks - High Tide and the 60’s Day, full of soul-lifting live music 😎🤘🧡 keep on rockin folks!

10th August 1956…..On this day 70 years ago, Ken Colyer was the first professional act in the ‘modern’, jazz at least, e...
10/08/2026

10th August 1956…..

On this day 70 years ago, Ken Colyer was the first professional act in the ‘modern’, jazz at least, era to play at Eel Pie Island’s Jazz Club, henceforth to be known as “EELPILAND”, and we ALL know what happened next…..

If you DON’T, visit our website, or better still, visit the Eel Pie Island Museum to be taken on a voyage of discovery, or if you’re old enough, a trip down memory lane!
https://www.eelpiemuseum.co.uk/ or physically at 1-3 Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 3AB

Spoiler alert: the aftermath of Ken’s appearance all those years ago features guest appearances from Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, The Temperance Seven, Screaming Lord Sutch, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Rod Stewart, Alex Harvey, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Dave Brock, Jimmy Cliff, Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll, Pink Floyd, John Lee Ho**er, Arthur Brown, Joe Cocker, The Who, Free, Mott The Hoople, Genesis, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, to mention but a few….

Address

1/3 Richmond Road
Twickenham
TW13AB

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 5:30pm
Friday 12pm - 5:30pm
Saturday 12pm - 5:30pm
Sunday 12pm - 5:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eel Pie Island Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Eel Pie Island Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category