Contraptions and Connections
2025-10-19 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-24 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-25 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-26 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
Known as the ‘Gadget King’, the contraption drawings by William Heath Robinson (1877-1944) are well known and loved around the world. His artistic vision of absurdly complicated machines fashioned out of string and everyday objects fulfilling simple tasks, have delighted audiences from the first World War to the present day. These drawings of clockwork-like contraptions have also inspired generations of ‘automata’ artists to create their own real life kinetic sculptures.
The roots of mankind’s fascination with automata stretch back over 3,000 years as evidenced by the discovery of automaton statues buried in Egyptian tombs (the wooden figure ‘Hathor’ now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art). Ever since, more elaborate and complicated automatons have evolved with the development of ‘clockwork’ devices in the 14th century. A fascination which continued through the Golden Age of 17th century automatons such as the life-like machines created by Jaquet-Droz (Switzerland) and the Silver Swan of Joseph Merlin (Bowes Museum Co Durham UK), onwards through the 1840’s fascination for travelling automata exhibitions. Continuing through to the 20th century’s love of sea-side ‘end of the pier’ automata such as the laughing sailor, penny arcades, and wind up tin toys of the type seen on the likes of ‘The Antiques Roadshow’.
‘Contraptions and Connections’ brings together 15 contemporary artists along with Heath Robinson, exploring where art, invention, and engineering collide. The UK has a glorious, unabashed history of curious creators with an infectious humorous perspective on the human condition. The automatons gathered for this show range from kinetic music playing machines made from pianos and sewing machines (Fi Henshall), hand cranked toys, swimming fish made from old plastic bottles and steel (Tim Lewis), to self-drawing chalk boards (Jim Bond) and a steam propelled bric-a-brac locomotive inspired by the Railway drawings of Heath Robinson (Tim Ellis).
This mesmerising exhibition will appeal to all ages, revealing a thriving artistic community, exploring the human condition through invention and humour.
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Heath Robinson Museum - Halloween Half Term Workshop – Junior
2025-10-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
Great seasonal fun making your own spooky hat that you can wear on Halloween.
Halloween Half Term Workshop – Junior

30 October 2025 10:00 am – 11:30 am

£10 per child (accompanying adult goes free)

Age range: 5-8yrs accompanied by adult (who is free entry)
Booking Information
Book online or tickets are available in the Museum during normal opening hours (Thurs-Sun 11-4)
Book Tickets

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Heath Robinson Museum - Halloween Half Term Workshop – Senior
2025-10-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
Great seasonal fun making your own wicked gargoyle decoration out of clay just in time for Halloween.
Halloween Half Term Workshop – Senior

31 October 2025 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Age range: 8-16yrs
£15 per child

Booking Information
Book online or tickets are available in the Museum during normal opening hours (Thurs-Sun 11-4)

Book Tickets

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High Street Christmas trees and lights switch on.
2025-11-26 16:30 - 18:00 | High Street War Memorial, Pinner
The Mayor of Harrow will officially switch on the Pinner High Street Christmas trees and lights on Wednesday November 26th.
Pupils from West Lodge and Reddiford Schools will entertain us with festive songs.
All are welcome – free of charge.
All the festive and Christmas lights and street Christmas trees in Pinner are funded by The Pinner Association as an amenity for all the community.
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Capital Connection Christmas Concert
2025-12-13 16:30 - 18:30 | St Andrews Church, Malven Avenue, HA2 9ER
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Carols by Torchlight.
2025-12-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Pinner War Memorial, High Street, Pinner, Middlesex, Select a Country:
If raining meet at Pinner Baptist Church in Paines Lane.
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Christmas Baby Reindeer Trail - Heath Robinson Museum.
2025-12-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
All Santa’s reindeer are in a panic because their children have wandered off into the park! Can you help guide them back to Santa HQ? Follow the map, find each baby reindeer, and answer their questions to complete the trail. Return with all the answers to Santa HQ to win a special prize.
Venue: Santa Headquarters will be at the entrance of West House opposite the Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner Memorial Park, 50 West End Lane, Pinner HA5 1AE.
https://www.heathrobinsonmuseum.org/whats-on/christmas-baby-reindeer-trail/
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Christmas Junior Art Workshop 2025 - Heath Robinson Museum.
2025-12-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
Join us for a fun and creative Christmas art workshop. Juniors will design and print their own festive wrapping paper using colourful pattern-making and printmaking techniques.
https://www.heathrobinsonmuseum.org/whats-on/christmas-junior-art-workshop-2025/

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Harrow Gateway Table Top Sale
2026-02-07 09:30 - 12:30 | Gateway House, North Harrow Car Park, Pinner Road, Middlesex, HA2 7TA, United Kingdom

Junior Art Workshop (Ages 4 - 8) Easter 2026 – Crazy Spring Hats - Heath Robinson Museum.
2026-04-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
Using Spring as a theme, children will use their imagination to create hats, bonnets and headpieces. We will use paper, foam and recycled materials to create show stopping hats.
For ages four to eight – children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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Senior Art Workshop (Ages 8+) Easter 2026 – Doodle Tote Bags - Heath Robinson Museum
2026-04-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Heath Robinson Museum, 50 West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, United Kingdom
This lively workshop uses fabric paints to create bold, doodle-inspired designs.
Taking inspiration from The Life in a Line exhibition, especially the work of Mr Doodle, students will develop their own pattern and transfer it onto a canvas tote bag to take home. Finished bags will be heat-sealed on the day, making them washable and ready to use.
For children aged eight and above.

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Easter Trail in Pinner Memorial Park.
2026-04-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Pinner Memorial Park, Pinner Memorial Park, Pinner, HA5 1AA, United Kingdom
Easter Trail 2026

Something extraordinary is happening in the park this Easter… mysterious eggs have begun to hatch everywhere! Near the pond, under leaves, in trees, hidden in the grass. Your mission is to become a Spring Egg Explorer; follow the trail and see if you can spot the animals emerging before they disappear into the wild!
Grab a map, find the animals and answer all the questions to complete the trail.
Return with the answers to claim a special Easter prize.
Prizes suitable for children 2 – 14

Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner Memorial Park
4 April 2026 – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Last ticket 14:30
£4 per child
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