Free to visit areas of Leighton House

Searching for a day out in London that doesn’t break the bank? There’s plenty to explore and discover at Leighton House which won’t cost you a penny. With times a little tighter for everyone, we’ve rounded up everything that’s free to see and experience at the museum.

Access to the historic house does require a ticket, however, with our Pay What You Want scheme and ticket concessions, there are opportunities to visit at reduced rates.

View the Leighton House map to see free to visit areas 

Leighton House is open Wednesdays to Mondays, from 10am to 5:30pm (closed on Tuesdays)

Sambourne House is open Wednesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 5:30pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Pay What You Want

We want everyone to have the chance to explore our museums, which is why we're introducing a new 'Pay What You Want' scheme. See inside the historic interiors of Leighton House on the first Monday of each month between 10am to 1pm and only pay what you want – that means you can pay above the standard ticket price, the same or nothing at all! Tickets are available at the door only (advance online booking on PWYW days is not available). Please note the offer is not applicable for group bookings and it excludes Bank Holidays.

Plan your Visit

Free exhibitions: The Tavolozza Drawings Gallery

Created during the transformative project, Hidden Gem to National Treasure, the Tavolozza Drawings Gallery at Leighton House provides a brand new exhibition space specifically designed for the display of drawings.

Through a rotating programme of free exhibitions, this new space will showcase rarely seen works from the museums expansive collection of 700 sheets of Frederic Leighton’s own drawings, as well as works by other historical and contemporary artists.

Open from 23 March until 20 October 2024:

Out in Paris: Linley Sambourne's Street Photography

New displays

Walking through the new wing of Leighton House (which is free to visit, independent of the ticketed historic house) a series of display cases and exhibits showcase the remarkable history of artists of the Victorian era.

Introducing Frederic Leighton

Learn more about the fascinating character of Frederic Leighton and his role as an artist, public figure, traveller and collector, through our introductory display case which takes pride of place in the museum’s new reception.

Also on display and free to see are Leighton’s spectacular pair of 10 metre wide frieze paintings Music and The Dance, and a bust of Leighton by sculptor Thomas Brock.  

Leighton’s Athlete Wrestling with a Python

Giving new prominence to Leighton’s work as a sculptor, a newly commissioned bronze cast of Leighton's celebrated sculpture Athlete Wrestling with a Python can be found on display at the base of the museums new helical staircase.

This exhibit, together with the works on display in the museum’s new reception, invites everyone to discover and experience the creative output of one of the Victorian eras most prominent artists.  

William De Morgan ceramics

Finding a new home in the museum’s new De Morgan Café, a glittering series of William De Morgan ceramics are free to enjoy, alongside an informative panel about the artist.

Donated to the museum in the 1920s, the collection includes designs inspired by Islamic motifs as well as De Morgan’s signature revival of lusterware.

George Frederic Watts frescoes

Also on display in the café space, are two conserved frescoes by Leighton’s Holland Park Circle neighbour and lifelong friend, artist George Frederic Watts.

Originally painted on the walls of Little Holland House during Watts’ years living there, the works were saved when the house was demolished in 1875.

The Holland Park Circle

Continuing the story of the artists of the Holland Park Circle, in the museum’s newly created basement space, you can watch an introductory video about Frederic Leighton and the Holland Park Circle.

Flaming June Colour Sketch

Here, a new display showcasing Leighton’s preparatory drawings and his only Colour Sketch for Flaming June can also be enjoyed, from 14 February 2024 .

Contemporary commissions

With the completion of the Hidden Gem to National Treasure project opening a new chapter in the story of Leighton House, the museum has welcomed a series of new commissions to the new wing – all free for you to enjoy!

Oneness by Shahrzad Ghaffari

Have your photo taken with contemporary artist Shahrzad Ghaffari's spectacular mural, Oneness.

Decorating the walls of the museum’s new helical staircase which stretches across three floors, this soaring 11-metre high mural explores universal themes of love, knowledge and cultural fusion.

Turquoise Mountain

Continuing the unique legacy of Leighton House as a centre of cultural fusion, a new commission of Turquoise Mountain furniture showcasing the highly skilled craftsmanship of Syrian artisans, is also on display in the museum’s new reception and café.

Anhaar by Sara Choudhrey

Crowning the newly created Learning Centre at Leighton House, a newly commissioned triptych Anhaar (meaning rivers in Arabic) by Sarah Choudhrey, echoes Leighton House’s connections with the Middle East.  

Also on display in the Learning Centre are other original artworks gifted to the museum by artists who have led workshops with Leighton House, as well as a rotating gallery of student artworks.

Please note that access to the Learning Centre is only provided on select events and is not part of the museum’s open access spaces. Explore what’s on to see what upcoming events are due to take place in the Learning Centre or contact us at [email protected] to enquire.

The Garden

Free to visit year-round, the newly landscaped garden at Leighton House is a peaceful oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of London.

Bringing art outside, don’t miss Thomas Brock's impressive 1881 sculpture 'A Moment of Peril’.

Café and Shop

The new De Morgan Café and Shop at Leighton House are both free to visit - without the need to pay entry to the museum’s historic house. Whether you want to window shop for gift ideas or indulge in a little treat – the choice is yours!

Just around the corner, the gift shop at our sister museum, Sambourne House, is also free to access with its own selection of Sambourne inspired books, homeware, fashion items and more.

Free activities and learning opportunities

Artists Houses Walking Tour

Learn all about the unique community of artists studio-houses which grew up around Leighton House in the late nineteenth century on one of our weekly free Artists Houses Walking Tours!

With a rolling programme of events which often includes other free experiences, explore What’s On at our museums or sign up to our e-newsletter for all of the latest updates.

Stream for free with YouTube

Discover a world of free online talks, creative art workshops and more on our museums YouTube channel.

Donations: Help to support our museums

All donations, big or small, to The Friends charity help to ensure the preservation of Leighton House and Sambourne House. From conservation works to providing materials for learning workshops, find out more about what your donation could achieve.