Leighton House

Leighton House is an artist’s home conceived as a work of art. The Victorian painter Frederic Leighton built rooms around his collections and his ambitions, with the tile-lined Arab Hall providing the most unexpected moment: rich colour, patterned surfaces and a fountain inside a quiet Kensington house.

Allow one to two hours for the historic interiors, the studio and the exhibitions included with admission. Look beyond the showpiece hall to see how an artist worked and entertained here. The café and garden offer somewhere to pause when they are open, without turning the visit into another large museum day.

The museum normally opens Wednesday to Monday and closes on Tuesdays. Volunteer-led tours are included with admission at selected times, subject to availability. Step-free access reaches all floors, but pushchairs cannot enter the historic house; leave large bags and suitcases elsewhere before arriving.