After an £8m restoration, Leighton House will finally re-open on 15 October and we are lucky enough to have secured an exclusive visit in early November for 60 of our members!

So do join us to have a glass of wine and see what has been done on a tour hosted by senior curator Daniel Robbins, supported by assistant curator Hannah Lund. And, if you have never been, this is a golden opportunity to discover one of the gems of Kensington.

We will also be able to see two new temporary exhibitions: Artists and Neighbours: the Holland Park Circle, and A Life in Drawing: Highlights from the Leighton Collection in the new downstairs gallery. 

Frederick Leighton (1830-1896), was one of the leading painters and sculptors of his day, being first part of the Academic school, but from 1860 increasingly drawn to the Pre-Raphaelite circle. In 1864 he became an associate of the Royal Academy of Arts (he would later be its president for 18 years). The same year he acquired a plot on the edge of Holland Park and the following year the building of his studio house began. It was to combine spaces for working, living and entertaining, and was to undergo four more major revisions before he was satisfied.

Initially the house consisted of a dining room, breakfast room and drawing room on the ground floor, and a large painting studio, with its huge north facing window, and a small bedroom on the floor above. Later extensions included an enlargement of the studio, followed by the Arab Hall with its remarkable 16th and 17th century tiles, the winter studio with its glass walls and ceiling aiming to increase light access, and finally the Silk Room which was to be a gallery displaying works by Leighton and his friends.

The restoration works, which began in 2019, focussed on expanding the museum within the building’s and, with a new staircase extension and lift, has provided step-free access across the whole building.

We are sure there will be a big demand for this very special evening so sign up early, as the the number of participants is limited to 60.

Members £15.00, non-members £35.00

Not a member? It’s only £20 for a whole year – and for anyone becoming a member now, the first year will run until 1 January 2024. If you want to take advantage of this offer, become a member immediately by first registering and paying on our membership page before booking your ticket below.