Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Explore the Evolution of Music at The Musical Museum
Founded in 1963 by Frank Holland MBE, we are a nationally significant charity dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of music reproduction. Our collection spans centuries, featuring self-playing pianos, violins, pipe organs, synthesizers, and over 20,000 music rolls. Through guided tours, demonstrations, and educational programs, we engage visitors with the technological and cultural evolution of musical innovation.Our purpose-built facility in Brentford includes a concert hall, workshop, and caf, offering immersive experiences for schools, families, and enthusiasts. Run largely by volunteers, we rely on donations and ticket sales to ensure these treasures remain accessible for future generations.
Services
Guided Tours
Korg Gallery
Venue Hire
Concerts
Educational Programs
Silent Film Screenings
Workshops
Caf
Gift Shop
Roll Library
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- Home to the UK's largest collection of self-playing musical instruments
- Award-winning volunteer-led guided tours with live demonstrations
- Unique Korg Gallery showcasing electronic music pioneers
- Historic concert hall hosting silent film screenings and live events
- Charitable mission focused on education and accessibility for all
What people say
Knowledgeable staff
Interactive exhibits
Marvellous collections
Entertaining tours
Lovely caf views
Services
Guided Tours
Our expert volunteers deliver immersive tours demonstrating over 200 working instruments across three galleries. Visitors witness self-playing pianos, violins, and the Mighty Wurlitzer Cinema Organ in action. Tours include historical context and technical insights, lasting approximately one hour with optional extended experiences.
Korg Gallery
This dedicated space showcases 50+ Korg synthesizers tracing electronic music's evolution. Interactive displays allow hands-on exploration of instruments used by legendary artists. Visitors learn how analog and digital innovations shaped modern music production and performance practices.
Venue Hire
Our 250-seat concert hall accommodates weddings, film shoots, rehearsals, and corporate events. Features include a sprung dance floor, professional lighting/sound systems, and projection capabilities. Unique options include live Wurlitzer organ performances and instrument demonstrations for special occasions.
Educational Programs
Structured learning experiences for all ages explore music technology history through workshops and interactive demonstrations. Tailored programs for schools, special needs groups, and universities emphasize STEAM connections between mechanical engineering, art, and musical heritage.
Silent Film Screenings
Original silent films accompanied by live theatre organ performances recreate early 20th-century cinema magic. Regular screenings feature the Mighty Wurlitzer's 1,000-pipe organ demonstrating its full range of orchestral and sound effect capabilities.
People
Steve Barrett-White
Chair, Operations and Commercial Director
Former BBC Micro marketer and audio-visual industry expert with 16 years at RIBA. Produces professional sound recordings for orchestras, choirs, and cinema organists across Europe.
Joseph Bourke
Treasurer, Financial Director
Chartered Certified Accountant with 50+ years in global finance. Former CFO for US/Mexico hotel groups and Finance Director for Japanese corporations. Joined board in 2023.
Adrian Church
Director of Conservation
BBC TV engineer turned freelance AV specialist. Player piano enthusiast with extensive knowledge of Duo-Art systems and roll technology developed through Pianola Institute collaborations.
Rowland Lee
Trustee & Player Piano Ambassador
Composer, conductor, and piano virtuoso known for 64 Zoo Lane and Swan Lake. International theatre organ expert and Royal College of Music graduate who joined the board in 2023.
Anne-Marie Rahme
Children's Tours and Outreach Director
Former French primary school teacher with Catholic Institute of Paris education. Specializes in making museum collections accessible to children through interactive educational programs.
Questions
What makes The Musical Museum unique?
We showcase over 200 working self-playing instruments from the 19th century to modern synthesizers, including rare player pianos and the Mighty Wurlitzer Cinema Organ.
Can visitors interact with exhibits?
Yes! The Korg Gallery offers hands-on experiences with electronic instruments, while guided tours demonstrate mechanical instruments in action through live performances.
Are concessions available?
Concessions apply for seniors, students, and Hounslow residents. Family tickets accommodate 2-3 children. Annual memberships provide unlimited access.
How accessible is the museum?
Fully accessible facilities include wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and hearing loops for guided tours. Service animal welcome.
Can the museum host events?
Our concert hall accommodates weddings, conferences, and film shoots with flexible seating for up to 250 guests. Available evenings and weekends with AV support.
What educational resources exist?
Structured programs for schools, special needs groups, and universities explore music technology history. Roll Library contains 20,000 catalogued music rolls for research.
Videos
Reviews (7)
L. L.-A.
Jan 17, 2022
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A real diamond in the rough. A genuinely fun outing, thanks to a warm welcome by the utterly lovely gentleman in reception, the super sweet lady in the caf and our amazing tour guide Roy. He is a 91 year old national treasure who easily rivals our other British sweetheart David Attenborough - all of whom we need to protect from covid at all costs! As a retired clockmaker he knew all the ins and outs of all the mechanisms of the musical automated machines he was showing us. Most of us dont stop to question where the music devices we love now originated from, particularly in the form
Pete Blackwell
Dec 14, 2021
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Just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas here with their resident organist, Richard Hills at the Wurlitzer. The staff are all friendly and welcoming and the museum holds a plethora of different instruments to enjoy. Wonderful and well worth a visit.
Hugh Burden
Nov 14, 2021
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Very interesting to see such complicated machines making brilliant quality music. Go half an hour before the tour in order to use the instruments yourself. At the end a demonstration of the Wurlitzer organ and then get to play it yourself. There's parking, a cafe, a view of the Thames and a gift shop. Entertainment for all ages. Takes about 2hrs
Jaqui Guardamagna
Aug 21, 2021
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Such a welcoming place! Not too crowded and good for a day out with the family, if you are interested in music. Lots of interesting facts about the history of musical instruments clearly explained by Marcus, our tour guide. Thank you!
MechanicalMusicTravels
Aug 09, 2021
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A lovely museum, and very interesting indeed. The tour guide was a very friendly chap who demonstrated instruments upon request and had a lot of interesting information about them. The curator is also very knowledgeable and I had the luck of bumping into him in the cafe; we exchanged anecdotes of our mechanical music travels (hence my username...!)
Miri G.
Jul 15, 2021
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The Musical Museum is a must go! Really recommend you stay for the tour. Its so interesting and fun! The lovely man is very (sorry I forgot to ask the name) knowledgeable and helpful. He makes the tour very fun and interesting.
Siarhei Kizer
Jun 30, 2021
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Absolutely enjoyed a visit. The guided tour is brilliant and involving. You can see the instruments, you can listen to the music they make and can even play on them! My 9 year daughter and me were amazed and enjoyed every minute!
