Explore how people experienced the River Thames in William Morris’ day and discover rarely seen items from the Museum’s River Collection. For thousands of years the Thames was a working waterway. In the 19th Century this changed forever when it became a pleasure ground for activities such as boating and angling. Discover more about recreation on the river and how it provided inspiration for many artists and writers. New works will also be on display, created by community groups in response to the designs, themes and writings in our concurrent William Morris exhibition. “The Thames is the water playground of the country; it is the delight, solace, and consolation of countless thousands; it is the one hundred and fifty miles of joy, health and innocent aquatic luxury”. ‘G.E.P.’ in The Lock to Lock Times, 13 October 1888.