Hidden Gem to National Treasure
** FROM 2 JANUARY 2020, LEIGHTON HOUSE MUSEUM IS OPEN ON
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ONLY, FROM 10AM TO 5:30PM. THE GARDEN REMAINS
CLOSED **
Leighton House Museum is a unique surviving example of the
Victorian ‘House Beautiful’ and was the home and creation of
Frederic, Lord Leighton, eminent Victorian artist and President of
the Royal Academy from 1878-1895. Since 1927, the house has been
under the care of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The Museum is currently undergoing a
major restoration and refurbishment project due to be completed in
spring 2021. This is the third phase of an award-winning master
plan that commenced in 2008, aimed at reinstating the house
interiors as Leighton knew them. It focusses on the two
unsympathetic additions made to the east end of the house in the
twentieth century, long after Leighton’s death.
Perrin Wing supporting the Original House
to create an enhanced visitor experience
MORE PUBLIC SPACE, ACCESS FOR
ALL
Through Hidden Gem to National
Treasure, these additions will be transformed, allowing
for:
- Disabled access to all public parts of the
building.
- The recovery and restoration of the original
architecture lost in later additions.
- Improved visitor facilities, including a new
café, shop, cloakrooms and reception.
- New permanent displays on Leighton, the
history of the house and the ‘Holland Park Circle’ of neighbouring
artists’ studio-houses.
- A new gallery dedicated to the display of
drawings and works on paper.
- Purpose-built collections and archives
store.
- A dedicated education suite in the basement
of the historic house.
- Leighton’s entrance hall and winter studio to
be reintegrated into the sequence of historic interiors, completing
the presentation of the house as he left it.
The creation of these new facilities has
minimal impact on the historic fabric of this unique building and
in fact takes the pressure off the historic house, allowing it to
be better preserved and cared for into the future, whilst also
providing a richer and fulfilling visitor experience.
Architects: BDP
Project Managers:
Gardiner & Theobald
Principal Contractor:
Quinn London Ltd
Quantity Surveyors:
Jackson Coles
A
WORD FROM DANIEL ROBBINS, OUR SENIOR
CURATOR
'It is an incredibly exciting moment for
Leighton House Museum. We are witnessing the final phase of a
master plan that commenced in 2008 and which will transform the
Museum and the experience we can offer our visitors.
The project will create access for all,
additional displays and temporary exhibition galleries and provide
new learning and community spaces, while at the same time removing
the current pressure on the house and its extraordinary
interiors.
Thank you for supporting this journey, we
cannot wait to show you the ‘new’ Leighton House Museum and
celebrate together.’
PLAN YOUR
VISIT
Leighton House Museum is open on
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5:30pm; the garden is
closed to the public.
Leighton’s ‘private palace of art’ will
continue welcoming school
groups during the week as well as hosting regular evening
events as part of our exciting
Public Programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage
Fund.
For any enquiries, please do contact us on
museums@rbkc.gov.uk
PROJECT FUNDING AND
DONATIONS
The £7.8 million project has made possible thanks to a
community-focused partnership between The
Friends of Leighton House (FLH), the
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and the Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea. The support of FLH and NLHF will allow
for the restoration of the historic fabric, create new displays,
learning spaces, offices and storage area for art collections. The
Royal Borough as caretaker and landlord of the House, has
contribute to this project from its capital reserves, funding
essential maintenance works including improving toilet facilities,
additional cloakrooms and for the first time, making the Museum
accessible to all.
Get involved!
Please help us complete the project and
DONATE
NOW
Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund
