Eel Pie Island Museum

Why is Eel Pie Island Museum called “Eel Pie Island Museum” when it’s not even on Eel Pie Island? It’s a question Michele Whitby, the founder of this quirky museum, gets asked a lot. Eel Pie Island Museum, you see, is dedicated to preserving the vibrant history of Eel Pie Island, a little slice of bohemian paradise nestled in the River Thames. Tucked away on Richmond Road in Twickenham, the museum, opened in 2018, bursts with the echoes of legendary music, rebellious art, and a spirit of independence that refuses to fade. Michele, a woman who seems to bleed Eel Pie Island history, will tell you tales of the island’s boatyards, bustling with activity even during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. But it’s the music that truly electrifies the air. From the 1950s to the 1970s, the Eel Pie Island Hotel hosted a who’s who of music royalty. Imagine a young David Bowie electrifying the stage, or the raw energy of The Rolling Stones, their music practically seeping into the island’s soul. The museum proudly displays treasures from those heady days, including several pieces signed by the Stones themselves. Michele will likely show you a captivating painting donated by Ronnie Wood, depicting his brother, Art. The Wood brothers, all three of them, graced the island’s stage in their time, a testament to the island’s magnetic pull on musical talent. Michele’s passion project, fueled by years of collecting and a deep love for the island, ensures that the spirit of Eel Pie Island, with all its eccentricity and artistic verve, continues to resonate.