Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Name: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Address: East Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth, BH13AA, GB
Telephone: +441202128000
Price range: £
Rating: 4.7

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Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Fascinating historic house & art galleries, on Bournemouth's East Cliff overlooking the sea. A home, an art gallery, and a museum. Cafe. Weddings and venue hire.
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Built by Merton Russell-Cotes as a gift for his wife, Annie, the house celebrates the couple's passion for art, travel, world cultures and natural history. They richly furnished the house and galleries, filling them with a remarkable collection of British art and sculpture and beautiful objects from their travels across the world. Many works by the great artists of the Victorian and Edwardian peri

ods, Landseer, Frith, Herkomer, Edwin Long, Albert Moore, Munnings and many works by the Pre-Raphaelites (including Rosetti's Venus Verticordia) and female artists including Evelyn de Morgan's Aurora Triumphans. Special exhibitions programme, talks, tours and events programme.

04/06/2026

This Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a huge thank you to our incredible Russell-Cotes volunteers 💙

From caring for our gardens and collections, to welcoming visitors, serving in the café, leading tours, supporting research and even filling the house with live music, their dedication brings the museum to life every day ✨

With over 140 volunteers, each person plays a vital role in making the Russell-Cotes such a special place.

We are so grateful for everything you do, today and every day👏

03/06/2026

Half term may be over, but there’s still plenty to keep little ones entertained at the Russell-Cotes 🎨

With family trails and activities alongside our magical Flower Fairies™: Enchantment by the Sea exhibition, there’s something for all the family ✨

Perfect for a family day out, with plenty to see, spot, and explore together 🧚

🌸 Flower Fairies™: Enchantment by the Sea
📅 Until 4 October 2026
🎟 Friends of the Russell-Cotes go free
🔗 Find out more at russellcotes.com/flower-fairies

Flower Fairies Visit-Dorset Love Bournemouth BCP Council Dorsetmums

02/06/2026

✨ New mini exhibition coming soon… ✨

Reading the Room: Domestic Interiors in Art 🎨

These interiors are more than just backgrounds; they hold memories, conceal secrets, and reveal the intimacy of daily life. Come and find out more next week!

📅 Opening on 9 June 2026
🎟️ Included in your admission ticket!

Please note, unfortunately this exhibition is only accessible by stairs, there is no lift access to the upstairs of the historic house.

Visit-Dorset Love Bournemouth BCP Council

01/06/2026

Happy Dorset Day 💛❤️

Today we’re celebrating everything that makes our county so special – from its rich heritage to its breathtaking landscapes 🏞️

For Dorset Day, we’re sharing a selection of artworks from the Russell-Cotes collection that capture the beauty and spirit of the places we call home. From sweeping coastlines to quiet corners of the countryside, these views have inspired artists for generations 🎨

Dorset Day is marked each year on 1 June, celebrating the county’s heritage, communities and scenery. What's your favourite Dorset spot? 🌊

Visit-Dorset Love Bournemouth BCP Council

29/05/2026

🌷 June at the Russell Cotes! 🌷

🧚‍♀️ Flower Fairies™: Enchantment by the Sea continues to fill our galleries with Cicely Mary Barker’s original artworks, delicate sketches and Dorset inspired magic; a truly enchanting experience for all ages.

✨ Midsummer Night at the Museum
On Thursday 25 June, step into an evening of folklore, fairies and midsummer imagination with our special after hours event, Midsummer Night at the Museum: Away with the Fairies. Enjoy a magical night exploring the house in a whole new light.

🎟️ Sixpence Day returns this month!
Enjoy FREE entry to the Russell Cotes (donations welcome) and spend a relaxed day exploring the historic house, coastal views and our exhibitions for the perfect summer outing.

✨ There’s so much to enjoy. Plan your June visit:
🔗 russellcotes.com/whats-on/

Flower Fairies Love Bournemouth BCP Council Visit-Dorset

28/05/2026

✨ Some very exciting news for …

We’ve recently received an incredible archive from direct descendants of our founders, Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes, and we’re incredibly grateful to the family for sharing it with us.

The archive includes photographs, letters, documents and objects offering a fascinating glimpse into the personal lives of this remarkable family 📸📜

Among the discoveries are photographs of the Morning Room before it was damaged during the Second World War – images that Russell-Cotes staff have never seen before. After years of wondering what this space once looked like, we can finally see it for ourselves 🏛️✨

Can you spot any familiar paintings in these photographs? 👀🎨

We’re looking forward to exploring the archive and uncovering new insights into the family, the house, and the remarkable collection they left behind 🔍✨

27/05/2026

☀️ Hot and busy in Bournemouth? Step into something cooler…

If you’re looking for a break from the heat and the crowds, the Russell-Cotes is the perfect escape ❄️ We’re air-conditioned and beautifully calm – ideal for a slower pace this summer.

Worried about parking? Skip the stress and hop on the bus instead 🚌 Plenty of routes stop just a short walk from us, making your visit easy and relaxed.

Plan your journey via morebus: www.morebus.co.uk/directions

Come in, cool down, and explore something extraordinary this summer 🎨

26/05/2026

Looking for something to entertain the little ones this half term? Join us at the Russell Cotes for Flower Fairies™: Enchantment by the Sea, a perfect accompaniment to a wander along the Dorset coast 🧚‍♀️🌊

🎨 Featuring beautiful original artworks by Cicely Mary Barker, including Dorset inspired landscapes and delicate fairy illustrations, this exhibition invites visitors of all ages into a world where nature and imagination meet.

🌿 We also have nature themed activities and crafts for children running throughout the week, perfect for curious minds and little explorers.

Come and make a magical day of it at the Russell Cotes ✨

Find out more:
🔗 russellcotes.com/half-term/

📷 Panorama from Hengistbury Head by Cicely Mary Barker © Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., 2025

Flower Fairies Love Bournemouth BCP Council Visit-Dorset

23/05/2026

✨We’re open this Bank Holiday Monday! ✨

Looking for something to do? Step inside the Russell-Cotes and explore a house full of art, stories and seaside views 🌊

From fascinating collections and beautiful interiors to family-friendly activities and something a little bit magical currently on display… there’s something for everyone to enjoy ☀️

Plan your visit and make the most of your Bank Holiday with us 🌺

🔗 russellcotes.com

21/05/2026

Half term is nearly here… looking for something fun to do? 🌿

Join us at the Russell-Cotes for a week of creative, nature-inspired activities for the whole family.

Follow trails through the historic house and exhibition, get hands-on with craft sessions, and, if the weather’s kind, enjoy garden games and outdoor trails too ☀️

✏️ Crafts run Tuesday–Thursday, 10.30am–1pm
🌼 Trails available throughout the week
📅 23–31 May

No need to book – just come along and join in!

Find out more: russellcotes.com/half-term/

Address

East Cliff Promenade
Bournemouth
BH13AA

Telephone

+441202128000

Website

http://www.russellcotes.com/

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