Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner hosts a display of working automatons inspired by Heath Robinson drawings. One room contains delicate mechanical machines that visitors can activate to watch jerky, theatrical movements. Highlights include a detailed steam-train contraption with three classes of seating, a miniature Rocket bath(room), and tiny newspapers and posters. Machines run by hand crank or 20p coins supplied by staff; buttons animate embedded figures and a fish that swims over discarded plastic. Contributors include Fi Henshall, Tim Lewis, Jim Bond and Tim Ellis. The exhibition runs until the end of October 2025; the museum is open Thursday–Sunday, 11am–4pm. Children should observe rather than handle delicate mechanisms.
It's just one room in the museum, but filled with delicate working delights that you can switch on and watch their jerky movements act out their plays. I suspect that for regular readers, the highlight will be the crazy steam train contraption that rewards lengthy inspections. From the three classes of seating to the miniature Rocket bath(room) that runs along the train and the tiny newspapers and posters, it's a delight.
Some of the contraptions work by turning a handle, others require a 20p coin, which will be provided by the staff in the room as part of the visit. So press the floor button next to the upside down violin, and watch the embedded animal slowly plucking the wires, while on the other side of the room, a fish swims very realistically over a sea of discarded plastic.
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