The Brunel Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.
This ancient monument and international landmark tells the story of one of the world’s great engineering dynasties.
Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel were responsible for building the Thames Tunnel, the first tunnel built beneath a river anywhere in the world. Interestingly, the museum is also the site of the first ever underwater concert party, which the Brunel's hosted in the tunnel in 1827.
Here you can explore the stories behind the Thames Tunnel, the Brunel family and their relevance today, and the museum's rich collection includes everything from technical watercolour drawings and oil paintings to everyday trinkets and pottery. Meanwhile a programme of exhibitions and events dive deeper into the tunnel's legacy.
In 2022, Brunel Museum ran a successful campaign on Art Fund's crowdfunding platform Art Happens, raising funds to help them display the stunning Thames Tunnel Watercolours. 201 generous donors helped them to exceed their target, raising £22,724.88.
Why you should go
Learn about Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of the most important engineers of the 19th century
Explore the world's first underwater tunnel
Interactive exhibits including designing a bridge or building a steam engine
