Leighton House and Sambourne House

04/09/2026

✨ The Arab Hall: Past and Present ✨ In the final few weeks of this groundbreaking project, don't miss a last chance to experience the museum's first major exploration of the Arab Hall, from it's fascinating history to reflections on its significance in today’s world.

https://youtu.be/PgJb4I-CiMk

Open until Sunday 4 October, featuring...

🔷 Artist installation - Soraya Syed's 'From Water, Every Living Thing'
🎞️ A short film - Soudade Kaadan's 'When The Tiles Spoke'
🖼️ An exhibition display - informed by new research from Dr Melanie Gibson

🔗 See What's On to learn more & join exhibition events including a Film Night with Soudade Kaadan (10 Sept) and book launch of Soraya Syed's 'The Living Script' (1 Oct): https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/whats-on

-

A film by Marshal Sebastian in collaboration with Leighton House and

With thanks to Rambod Latifi, Nayab Ahmed, Soudade Kaadan, Melanie Gibson, Kamilah Ahmed, Soraya Syed and Ramzi Mallat.

The Arab Hall: Past and Present has been shaped and informed by the work of the Arab Hall Advisory Panel. The project has been supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, the DCH Foundation, the museum's Exhibition Circle and The Friends of Leighton House. The promotion and outreach for the programming of 100 Years of Leighton House have been supported by the CORA Foundation. Exhibition Public Programme Partner: Community Jameel.

Exploring The Arab Hall: Past and Present at Leighton House.Exper...

03/09/2026

Make this festive season extra special with an unforgettable event in one of London's most extraordinary venues. With its stunning interiors, including the iconic Arab Hall, this former Victorian artist’s studio-home can be yours for the evening.

From corporate parties to seasonal celebrations with family and friends, our drinks reception and private dining events offer tailored options for any occasion.

Limited availability - enquire with our team about available dates.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/venue-hire

02/09/2026

See What's On and discover inspiring experiences coming up at Leighton House....

From exploring the art of storytelling at a film night with award-winning Syrian filmmaker, Soudade Kaadan, to discovering the history of the Arab Hall on a curator-led tour.

Try your hand at life drawing or learn to hand-paint your own illuminated peacock border using historic manuscript practices, with real gold leaf.

With a family fun workshop creating dream home dioramas, there's something for everyone.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/whats-on

01/09/2026

“it is a beautiful thing that gives me great pleasure to bring to life” - Abdul Rahman Sha’aban (Master Wood-Mosaic Artisan)

“This is an honour for us and for everyone who worked with us on this special piece” - Maher Darwich (Master Carpenter)

Nestled in the staircase hall of Leighton House in London, this remarkable 17th–19th century Syrian inlaid panel holds the key to a new chapter in craft and cultural exchange.

Dr. Thalia Kennedy shares how, in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain Levant displaced Syrian artisans now based in Amman, Jordan, reinterpreted this historic design for a contemporary suite of furniture commissioned for the museum’s new wing.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/turquoise-mountain-new-commission-leighton-house

Film by Iron and Glass.

27/08/2026

Transforming the Arab Hall fountain into a living canvas, 'From Water, Every Living Thing' is a new video installation by calligrapher and artist Soraya Syed Art of the Pen where moving calligraphy, light, water and sound come together in dialogue with this extraordinary interior.

🔷 From Water, Every Living Thing by Soraya Syed (until 4 October 2026)
✨ As part of The Arab Hall: Past and Present (21 March to 4 October 2026)
📍 At Leighton House, Kensington, London
🔗 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/water-every-living-thing-soraya-syed

-

Film by Bruno Miles
Photography by Peter Sanders

20/08/2026

Stock up on stationery you'll treasure with our exclusive collection, inspired by the decorative tiles of the Arab Hall at Leighton House.

🛍️ Browse the collection: https://museumshop.rbkc.gov.uk/collections/the-arab-hall

19/08/2026

This also happens to be the birthday of our own, Roy Sambourne, who was born at 18 Stafford Terrace (Sambourne House) on 19 August 1878.

Roy would often pose as different characters for his father Linley Sambourne, who utilised photography as a reference tool when creating his cartoons for Punch magazine and book illustrations.

Roy was a lifelong bachelor and continued to live at Stafford Terrace until his death in 1946. Despite changing tastes, Roy preserved the interiors as his parents had left them, changing remarkably little of the decoration. In his bedroom he had the red woodwork repainted white, but otherwise made few alterations. Roy pursued a career as a stockbroker, but his real passion was for the theatre and there are a number of signed photographs of his favourite actresses on display, as well as many of his father Linley Sambourne's illustrations.

17/08/2026

Ever dreamed of dining in the grand Studio at Leighton House?

Did you know that each winter Members of The Friends of Leighton House and Sambourne House receive an invitation to attend the annual Golden Hours dinner, with a champagne reception in the Arab Hall followed by a candle-lit dinner in Leighton’s Studio.

Join The Friends today to be on the list before invitations are sent, and enjoy a year of other membership perks...

🥂 Invitations to the annual Golden Hours Dinner in Leighton's Studio and Summer Garden Party.
🏡 Free unlimited entry to two artist studio-houses.
🎟️ Exhibitions free entry and invitations to private views.
🎨 Invitations to Friends-only events to galleries, museums, historic houses, art fairs and more in London and beyond.
🛍️ 10% discount in the museum shops and De Morgan Cafe.

👉 Learn more & join The Friends today: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/supportus/join-friends

15/08/2026

Inspired by the mosaic frieze at La Zisa in Palermo, in the 1870s Frederic Leighton commissioned artist and illustrator Walter Crane (b.15 August 1845) to design something similar for the Arab Hall he was constructing at his studio-home.

Filled with celestial motifs, mythical creatures, flora and fauna - Crane’s intricate designs were sent to Venice to be made into mosaics by the Compagnia Venezia-Murano and were the final element to be installed in the Arab Hall in the autumn of 1881.

See one of Walter Crane's original designs for the mosaic of the moon, currently on display in the museum's Tavolozza Drawings Gallery, on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/arab-hall-past-and-present

-

Photography courtesy of Jaron James and Siobhan Doran.

13/08/2026

From our friends at Southbank Centre

Join Colin Grant on 26 August for an evening alongside storytellers and music in celebration of stories of migration.

This event joins storytellers from this oral history sharing the secrets of their migrant songs and objects, including the Irish writer Suzanne Harrington, Polish Poet Maria Jastrzębska, Afro-Colombian music and dance from Akolá Tambó and more.

Learn more: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/colin-grant-what-we-leave-we-carry/