Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Victorian Merton Russell-Cotes must have loved his wife very much indeed – he built her an exotic seaside villa on a Bournemouth cliff top with stunning views just as a birthday gift. And the city of Bournemouth must be very glad he did as the house is now home to the lovely Russell-Cotes Gallery and Museum, a glorious showcase for the Victorians’ love of art and travel. The couple were passionate about both and sculptures, furniture and decorative art from the period, reflecting their travels, can be seen throughout this elegant house-museum. Kids are catered for too – the children’s art gallery features age appropriate exhibits and there are activity packs and family explorer travel bags to keep them engaged plus a story and activity area. Once you’ve absorbed the interior, take a stroll outside – the Italian Renaissance/Scots baronial style architecture and its cliff-top positioning are simply breath-taking. There's a programme of special events and exhibitions held throughout the year.

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Information on Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum , East Cliff Promenade , Bournemouth

Opening Times:	Tue to Sun & BH Mon 10:00-17:00. Closed Good Friday and 25 Dec.
Admission:	1st October - 31st March: Free, 1st April - 30th September: £5 entry
Dog Friendly:	No
Location:	On the cliff top overlooking the sea. Five minute walk from the town centre to the east.
Facilities:	Guided Tours, Limited Disabled Access, Refreshments

Events & Special Offers

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Tours at the Russell-Cotes (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Tue 01 Jan 2013 – Sat 28 Dec 2013

The Russell-Cotes offers themed tours every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday which focus on the historic house and the world-class art collections. On the 10th of each month there is a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour with a curator. Unfortunately this tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. Tickets cost £12, pre-booking essential. Please visit our website for more information.

50:50 Inspired by Japan: mosaics, textiles and paper (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Mon 01 Apr 2013 – Sun 15 Sep 2013

This marks the return to the Gallery for Cleo Mussi, whose previous exhibition ‘A-Z, A Hand Book’ in 2009 was the Russell-Cotes’ best-ever selling exhibition. Cleo Mussi and Matthew Harris have worked in parallel and close proximity 25 years. This selling exhibition features work inspired by their recent trip to Japan.
Normal admission charges apply.
Visit our website for more information

Conservation in progress - Weaving the Garland (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Thu 23 May 2013 – Thu 23 May 2013

Watch as specialist conservator, April Johnson, removes more than a century of dirt and grime from one of our paintings, Weaving the Garland. Whilst demonstrating the techniques used in painting repair she will be literally uncovering the past; revealing the true face of a picture once owned by Walter Child Clark, one of Bournemouth’s leading benefactors. Normal admission charges apply.

Family Haiku Workshops (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 25 May 2013 – Sat 25 May 2013

Session times: 11am-12pm, 12.30-1.30pm, 2.30-3.30pm
Join our creative writing tutor who will help you to write your own Japanese-style haikus inspired by nature and our amazing Japanese collection!
Activity costs £1.50 per child, normal admission charges apply (pre-booking essential).

Japanese Storytelling for under 5s (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Wed 29 May 2013 – Wed 29 May 2013

Session times: 10am-10:45am and 11am-11:45am
Bring your little one along for simple origami crafts and storytelling based on Japanese picture books. Afterwards, follow our animal trail around the building!
Activity costs £1.50 per child and normal admission charges apply.

Conservation in progress - Weaving the Garland (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Thu 06 Jun 2013 – Thu 06 Jun 2013

Watch as specialist conservator, April Johnson, removes more than a century of dirt and grime from one of our paintings, Weaving the Garland. Whilst demonstrating the techniques used in painting repair she will be literally uncovering the past; revealing the true face of a picture once owned by Walter Child Clark, one of Bournemouth’s leading benefactors. Normal admission charges apply.

Talk on Painting Conservation (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Thu 27 Jun 2013 – Thu 27 Jun 2013

Time: 2pm
The conserved painting, ‘Weaving the Garland’, will be unveiled to the public on Thursday 27th June. April Johnson will also be giving an illustrated talk where she will explain the history of the work and the techniques used to repair it.
Donation £5 per person and normal admission charges apply (pre-booking essential).

Tappestry weaving workshop (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 06 Jul 2013 – Sat 06 Jul 2013

10am-4pm (lunch not included)
Learn the craft of tapestry weaving with textile artist Karen Erlebach. Create your own tapestry picture, either from a template or weave a design of your own creation! Please bring a notebook and pencil, a pair of scissors and an old kitchen fork if you have one available.
Suitable for beginners.
Activity costs £55

Vintage Fair at the Russell-Cotes (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 14 Sep 2013 – Sat 14 Sep 2013

Please visit website for more information

Masked Salon (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Fri 18 Oct 2013 – Fri 18 Oct 2013

Doors open at 7.00pm
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum celebrates the return of last year’s successful Masked Salon. The evening promises to be an exciting event with entertainment, licensed bar and everyone’s encouraged to dress up.
Tickets cost £20.00, pre-booking essential

Big Draw 2013 (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 26 Oct 2013 – Sat 26 Oct 2013

11am-4pm
Big Draw is back for another year, come along, borrow a sketching kit and get involved with fantastic free drawing activities! Create your own Victorian-style tableaux and have a go at costumed life drawing (at selected times throughout the day). Artists from Bournemouth Arts club will be on hand to give advice and to share their own sketches.

Family Fairies at Halloween (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Wed 30 Oct 2013 – Wed 30 Oct 2013

Times TBC
Come join us October half-term to celebrate Halloween! Explore our ‘Angels, Fairies and She-Devils’ exhibition, listen to some spooky storytelling and be inspired to create your own Halloween-themed crafts! Get in the spirit by bringing your own fairy wings or Halloween costume.
Activity costs £2.50 per child

In Conversation with Paul Kidby, Artist to Terry Pratchett (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Thu 07 Nov 2013 – Thu 07 Nov 2013

6.30-8.30pm. Doors open at 6.15pm
Talk costs £15.00 in advance, pre-booking essential.

Traditional Victorian Christmas Door Wreath (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 07 Dec 2013 – Sat 07 Dec 2013

Session times: 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm
Make your own Christmas door wreath to take home. All materials are provided. If possible, please bring an apron and scissors. Sensible shoes to protect feet from prickles are advised.
Activity costs £25.00, pre-booking essential.

The Amazing Russell-Cotes Victorian Christmas (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Fri 13 Dec 2013 – Fri 13 Dec 2013

Doors open at 7.30pm until 9.30pm
Join the Russell-Cotes in dressing up and celebrating Christmas in the historic house.
Tickets cost: £12.00, pre-booking essential

Family Christmas Day (send email about this offer)  (telephone about this offer)

Sat 14 Dec 2013 – Sun 15 Dec 2013

14 December 2013, 11am-4.30pm
15 December 2013, 10am-4.30pm
Join us at the Russell-Cotes when Father Christmas will be visiting! Have a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a present. After you’ve seen Father Christmas why not get involved in the Christmas craft session. Get in the spirit by coming along in Victorian dress!
Activity and Father Christmas cost: £6.00, pre-booking essential.

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