Leighton House and Sambourne House

08/10/2026

Follow the thread of 'Weaving the Future' as Fragment No. 72 from the doppelgänger of the iconic dragon carpet arrives at Leighton House.

Fragment #72 was an entry point to exploring Leighton’s collection of carpets, offering young people the chance to become active cultural producers and partners, with responsibilities and heard voices.

Having previously visited the Ashmolean and V&A, Leighton House next passes Fragment #72 to our friends at the Barakat Trust and very much look forward to hearing about their experience as custodians.

100 Carpet Fragments. 100 Global Journeys. The Museum for Islamic Art's project CulturalxCollabs 'Weaving the Future' celebrates the transformative power of cultural exchange and the shared threads that unite us all.

Read the full story: https://islamic-art.smb.museum/en/story/cxc_fragment_72

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Images:
CulturalxCollabs project carpet; Dragon carpet, Rajastan (India), 2022, wool, silk knotted (detail), Freunde des Museums für Islamische Kunst im Pergamonmuseum e. V., Photo: Heiner Bueld and Rug Star by Jürgen Dahlmanns.
Leighton House, courtesy of Dirk Lindner.

07/10/2026

💚💜🧡 Join a life drawing class that glows as enter the Leighton House Studio for an illuminating Drink & Draw evening

🌈 Drink and Draw: Neon Naked Life Drawing
📅 Wednesday 14 October, 7-9pm (doors open 6:30pm)
📍 At Leighton House, Kensington, London
🎟️ Book tickets: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/drink-and-draw-neon-naked-life-drawing

06/10/2026

Meet Tintoretto aka 'Il Furioso' 👋 Exploring three Venetian works restored to the Leighton House collection, art historian and comedian, Verity Babbs, uncovers the revealing nicknames of their makers.

Join Verity Babbs Art Laughs art-themed comedy night at Leighton House on Thursday 12 November:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/art-laughs-art-themed-comedy-night

05/10/2026

Exploring the unique group of Victorian studio-houses built on Holland Park Road and Melbury Road by the 'Holland Park Circle' of artists, sculptors and architects - join one of our free Artists Houses Walking Tours this autumn.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/artists-houses-walking-tours

Take a peek inside Holland Park Circle artist Marcus Stone's studio c.1884, in the upcoming exhibition 'Magic and Mess: The Artist's Studio Revealed' (opens 31 October).

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/magic-and-mess-artists-studio-revealed

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Image: Joseph Parkin Mayall, Portrait of Marcus Stone, A.R.A., c.1884. Katrin Bellinger Collection​, London. The Artists at Work Artist's Studio Museums

05/10/2026

From our friends at The Mosaic Rooms join Palestinian-American poet, translator, and physician Dr. Fady Joudah for the annual Edward W. Said London Lecture 2026, entitled Notes on Solidarity. Hosted by Dr. Aimee Shalan at the Royal Geographical Society next Thursday 15 October.

Learn more: https://mosaicrooms.org/edward-w-said-lecture-2026

02/10/2026

The leading authority on Sambourne House and the Sambourne family, we were deeply saddened by news of Shirley Nicholson’s recent passing at the age of 97.

Shirley made an immeasurable contribution to the life of the museums, generously giving her time and support to many projects over more than 30 years. She transcribed the complete diaries of Linley and Marion Sambourne, catalogued the extensive family correspondence, led a project to catalogue the c.30,000 images compiled by Sambourne to assist in his cartooning and worked extensively on the Leighton House archives. She edited 7,500 catalogue entries for objects at Sambourne House, meticulously adding additional information and references that drew on her extraordinary knowledge of the house and family. Her research led to the publication of two wonderfully written books, A Victorian Household: based on the diaries of Marion Sambourne first published in 1988 and Roy Sambourne, an Edwardian Bachelor 1878 – 1946 published in 1999.

Shirley was exceptionally generous in sharing her knowledge. She gave innumerable public tours of Sambourne House and assisted researchers from around the world, with her invaluable support acknowledged by authors and editors. Any public enquiry would be forwarded to her and receive her immediate expert attention, with a detailed response provided. Always willing to help with any project, Shirley’s energy and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated by all museum staff.

Through her tireless passion and dedication, Shirley made the richness of the Sambourne collections and archive accessible to all – a legacy that will be valued by generations to come. She will be greatly missed.

01/10/2026

With the Netflix release of a new take on John Steinbeck’s 'East of Eden' - Costume Designer, Kirsty Cameron, shared with British Vogue her sources of inspiration for the leading lady's fashion-filled arc. Including, our very own Linley Sambourne's street photography...

"I looked at a lot of photographers, especially those who were taking candid snapshots of real life more than 100 years ago. Two stood out: Edward Linley Sambourne and George Hendrik Breitner. They both photographed women on the streets in this very cool way. It reminds you that these people were modern in their own time, which is important to think about when doing period work."

Read the full feature:

The sumptuous Netflix adaptation of the literary classic features our leading lady on a decades-spanning journey from ingénue to steely titan, in a parade of extravagant ball gowns. Here’s how the key looks came together.

30/09/2026

"Water connects us all"

With only a few days left to view 'From Water, Every Living Thing' at Leighton House, artist and calligrapher Soraya Syed Art of the Pen reflects on the original inspiration behind this site-specific artwork.

🔷 View 'From Water, Every Living Thing' until Sunday 4 October, as part of The Arab Hall: Past and Present: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/arab-hall-past-and-present
📖✒️ Join us for an evening with Soraya celebrating the publication of 'Soraya Syed: The Living Script' on Thursday 1 October: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/soraya-syed-living-script

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Film by Bruno Miles. Photography by Peter Sanders.

29/09/2026

Closing this Sunday 4 October - don't miss a final 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. 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
📍 At Leighton House, Kensington, London, W14 8LZ
🔗 Learn more & book tickets: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/arab-hall-past-and-present

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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.

23/09/2026

🍎🍂 Welcoming in the autumn equinox with Frederic Leighton's 'A Girl with a Basket of Fruit (Eucharis)', c.1862-3.

Atop a head of shining red hair a young woman carries a basket baring apples, cherries, pomegranates and figs.

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🖼️ Frederic Leighton, A Girl with a Basket of Fruit (Eucharis), c.1862-3. Private collection c/o Grant Ford Ltd., UK. Currently on display in the dinning room at Leighton House. Photography by Jaron James.