Not many people know that Richmond contains a small, but interesting museum, which hosts unusual, but informative and captivating exhibitions on local history. It is situated beside the River Thames, in the elegant former town hall, built in the Victorian era. Since September, the museum has been focused on Richmond in film, plays, novels and famous accounts and diaries.

The borough has inspired numerous writers and film- makes in past and present times. Examples of famous writers who have lived and worked in Richmond are Charles Dickens, George Eliot and Virginia Woolf, all of whom wrote novels whilst living in the area- and at times even included references and mentions of the borough. This is covered and explained in the exhibition. In film and television, Richmond is used more often than is generally realised. Famous films include Young Victoria, Bend It Like Beckham, Finding Neverland, Shakespeare in Love and Evita, just to mention a few. The BBC has also filmed popular dramas on location in Richmond, such as Little Dorrit and Spooks.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum has organised relevant events to the theme: within the past few months, there have been talks, literary walks and film screenings.

However, if you are interested in visiting the exhibition, there is no time to delay, as it is closing in less than a month’s time, on 16th April 2010. Admission is free.