Welcome

Visit one of the most important and fascinating museum-houses in England. It holds collections of international status and reflects the Victorian fascination with world cultures.

Opening times: All year round from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays.

To contact us: 01202 451858.

Free admission from 1st October until 31st March. Donations welcome.

Seasonal admission charges apply from Monday 1 April - Monday 30 September.

ROUTINE ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE

Due to routine essential maintenance there will be scaffolding surrounding the Russell-Cotes building for several weeks.

We are open as usual throughout this period and the entrance remains as usual on East Cliff Promenade via the museum garden.

Thank you for your understanding while we carry out this work and continue to look after this unique historic building on your behalf.

Your Visit

Your visit - what to expect

Getting here

Access

Russell-Cotes Shop

Cafe at the Russell-Cotes

Please support us

Galleries & Collections - background

Sir Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes sitting in their suite at the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, 1891-1901.

Learn more about Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes and their collection.

View the art collection online

View the museum's timeline.

50:50 Inspired by Japan: mosaics, textiles and paper 1 April - 15 September 2013

Renowned mosaic artist, Cleo Mussi and textile artist, Matthew Harris, have lived and worked side by side for the last 25 years. This is their first joint exhibition and features work inspired by their recent trip to Japan. All artworks are for sale.

Art House Gallery at the Russell-Cotes

In an exciting new venture the ARThouse Gallery, Bournemouth will work in partnership with the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to produce a series of selling exhibitions in our new Café Gallery.

For more information please visit the Art House Gallery website (http://thearthousegallery.org/).

Urban Renaissance Cafe

Following a major refurbishment and a grant from the Arts Council, The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is launching its new cafe. In partnership with Mark Cribb, owner of the award-winning Urban Reef bistro and Urban Beach hotel in Boscombe, Bournemouth, the new cafe will be called Urban Renaissance.

Erhebung - 17 May 2013

Pavilion Dance and Asian Arts Agency have joined together to present the South Asian Dance Summit with one of their performances ‘Erhebung’ being performed at the Russell-Cotes on the 17th May. Erhebung is a collaboration between choreography (by Mayuri Boonham) and abstract sculpture (made by Jeff Lowe) where the performers and the structure become a flowing living sculpture.
Normal admission charges apply

For more information please click here or to book please call 01202 451820

May half-term Activities

Family Haiku Workshops
25 May 2013, 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
29 May 2013, 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.

Your Paintings

All of our stunning oil paintings can be seen on the BBC's Your Paintings website.

Why not help to catalogue or 'tag' our online paintings?