Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre

07/09/2026

There is something rather special about a December lunchtime concert at Riverhouse.

For one day only each year, our Barn becomes the setting for a festive celebration with our much-loved Christmas Concert Lunch.

This year, we welcome back Leora Cohen (violin), Paul Wingfield (piano) and Sophie Max (narrator), who performed Pride and Prejudice on the barn stage last December, for a spell-binding musical drama of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Charles Dickens’ beloved Ghost Story of Christmas is brought to life through spoken word and live violin and piano, drawing on the nineteenth-century tradition of melodrama. Paul Wingfield’s original score incorporates references to Victorian Christmas music and Dickens’ own musical world, creating an atmospheric and richly evocative setting for this timeless story.

🎻 Leora Cohen – violin
🎹 Paul Wingfield – piano
🎭 Sophie Max – narrator

🍽️ Our special Christmas Concert Lunch
A two-course festive lunch will be served in the Barn at 11:30am or 2pm.

Concert only: £18
Christmas Concert Lunch: £16 per person

Capacity for lunch and the concert is limited, and last year’s Pride and Prejudice was an instant sold out!

If you would like to join us for this very special festive occasion, we strongly recommend booking early.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now.

07/09/2026

🧙🏼🧙🏼‍♀️🎶Step into a spellbinding theatrical concert as the children are lured into the woods by the witches. Will they escape before midnight? Join the andventure along to favourite Halloween classics! 🪄

Brought to you by the Harmony’s Music Club who performed the brilliant Snowman Concert at Riverhouse last Christmas. Interactive Theatrical Concerts

🗓️11 Oct 2026
🕑14:00 – 15:00

05/09/2026

What did the past smell like? Join historian Dr William Tullett for ‘Sniff: A History of Smells’, an interactive Royston Pike Lecture Series talk exploring how smell has shaped human life, communities and culture across the centuries.

From medieval incense to modern sniffer dogs, you'll hear surprising stories from history and have the chance to smell and experiment with a range of scents along the way.

📅 Wednesday 7 October, 7.30pm
📍 Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre
🎟️ Tickets £4. Book at https://ow.ly/nm9v50Zyon6

If you wish, the book will be available to purchase via The Cobham Bookshop at the event.

04/09/2026

🏛️ Another not-to-miss FREE Heritage Open Days event!

We’re delighted to welcome Nick Pollard to Riverhouse Barn to speak about the fascinating history of Mount Felix.

🗓️ Saturday 19 September
🕐 1pm to 2pm
📍Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre
🎟️ Booking recommended

This is sure to be a popular event, so if you’re interested, please book your free seat in advance! Capacity is limited, and we would hate to have to turn anyone away at the door on the day.

😞🪏Unfortunately, the Surrey Diggers Escape Room sessions have been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Ticket holders have been informed.

Both events are presented by Elmbridge Borough Council and Elmbridge Museum, as part of Riverhouse Barn’s Heritage Open Days programme.

✨ Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to discover more about our local heritage! Elmbridge Borough Council Elmbridge Museum Heritage Open Days

04/09/2026

Last 3 places left! ✍🏼

Hand-Me-Downs: a poem-writing workshop
🗓️ Tuesday 15 September
🕜 1:30 - 3:30pm
📍Riverhouse Barn

A saying, a trait, an heirloom, a knack, a recipe, a custom...In this special workshop to mark Heritage Open Days, we’ll use a variety of prompts to write poems about things passed on to us that have helped make us who we are.

No previous experience is necessary, just a wish to indulge in the mischief and magic of words. Bring a favourite pen and notebook!

The workshop is led by poet Katie Griffiths, author of My Shrink is Pregnant and The Attitudes, founder of Riverhouse Poets- an adult poem-writing group at Riverhouse and the host of our monthly Live Poetry evenings.

This free workshop is part of the Riverhouse Heritage Open Days programme. Katie Griffiths Heritage Open Days

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

It is with deep sadness that we learn the passing of Michael “Mike” Bowtell, a much-loved pianist, producer and a long-standing member of the Riverhouse Barn family.

Mike’s connection with Riverhouse spanned many years. He served as a Director from 1997 to 2008 and remained closely involved with the Barn long afterwards as a programmer, patron, sponsor and, above all, a great friend and supporter.

Music was at the heart of Mike’s relationship with Riverhouse. Whether through classical music or jazz, he shared his passion generously and helped bring musicians and audiences together. His knowledge, encouragement and unwavering support have left a lasting mark on the artistic life of the Barn. Fittingly, Mike’s final performance at Riverhouse was at our Legends of London afternoon tea fundraiser in June 2024.

Mike was not simply a supporter of Riverhouse Barn; he was part of our story. He will be deeply missed by his friends and everyone at the Barn who had the privilege of knowing him, enjoying a Jazz gig curated by him, or hearing him play.

03/09/2026

After a busy summer of touring and getting our new album Group Chat ready for release, we are really looking forward to playing our first gig after the release at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre in Walton on Thames.

Friday 25 September, 8pm.

We will have physical copies of Group Chat with us on the night, and we are really looking forward to seeing you, having a chat and sharing the music with you.
fans Bill BrufordPete RothD'Angelico GuitarsLeonardo MoonJuneMike PrattPete Roth Trio - PRT Cherry Red RecordsThe Progressive AspectProgFenderProgJazzTama Drums

29/08/2026

Bank Holiday plans? We’re open! ☕

Our Community Café will be open on Monday 31 August for the Bank Holiday, so do pop in for a coffee, cake and a relaxing break.

Please note that the Gallery will be closed on Monday — but not for long!

Our next exhibition, Andrew Champion: Polyptych Paintings, opens on Wednesday 2 September and runs until Sunday 6 September.

Andrew’s paintings explore how separate and different parts can come together to form a whole. Through repetition, evolution and difference, his work invites us to consider not only the artwork itself, but also its relationship with the viewer and the space it occupies.

Life Drawing is also on as usual from 6:30–8:30pm, with professional models posing each week, supported by internationally trained artist Stephen Jones of jonesstephenart.com. Please book ahead by calling Stephen on 07565 908092. Classes are £25 each, with discounts available for multiple bookings. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to space.

And there’s an extra reason to pop in on Monday… Tim will be on duty! 👋 If you’re coming along to his talk on Boudicca on Saturday 12 September as part of Heritage Open Days, why not have a chat with him beforehand?

See you on Monday!