Kettle’s Yard

Jim Ede and his wife Helen lived in the house from 1957 to 1973. They opened their home to students and visitors, offering an informal setting to appreciate art. Ede had close connections with many modern artists, including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson, whose works feature prominently in the collection. The house and its contents were donated to the University of Cambridge in 1966 and it is now part of the University of Cambridge Museums.

Kettle’s Yard is significant for its combination of art, architecture and domestic space. Unlike a traditional gallery, the house was designed to be lived in, with artworks displayed in a homely setting. The collection includes paintings, sculptures and found objects arranged to emphasise form, light and texture. The house remains much as Ede left it, offering insight into his curatorial vision.

What to see at Kettle’s Yard

Visitors can explore the original house, which retains Ede’s distinctive layout. The collection includes works by artists such as Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis and Winifred Nicholson. Each piece is positioned carefully to interact with natural light and surrounding objects.

In addition to paintings and sculptures, the house contains decorative items such as glassware and ceramics. These everyday objects contribute to the aesthetic balance that Ede sought to achieve. The spaces are designed to encourage quiet reflection, with seating areas allowing visitors to pause and absorb their surroundings.

Temporary exhibitions

The extension houses a gallery space with a programme of temporary exhibitions. These showcase contemporary artists working in various media, complementing the permanent collection. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Paint What Matters! Art by Children and Young People in Cambridge
This exhibition (until 9 March 2025) showcases work by over 500 young artists aged 4–21 from Cambridge. Participants were invited to create artworks on issues important to them, using any style or medium. Themes range from personal experiences to global concerns. The exhibition also includes work from Kettle’s Yard’s partner schools and community groups.

Here is a Gale Warning: Art, Crisis & Survival
This exhibition (22 March–29 June 2025) brings together works by eight contemporary artists reflecting on conflict, power and survival. Rather than focusing on specific political events, the artists explore broader themes of domination and resistance. Featured artists include Pia Arke, Justin Caguiat, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Candace Hill-Montgomery, Tomashi Jackson, Tarek Lakhrissi, Anne Tallentire and Cecilia Vicuña.

Lubaina Himid with Magda Stawarska
This exhibition (12 July–2 November 2025) features new paintings by Lubaina Himid, alongside an installation created with Magda Stawarska and smaller interventions in the Kettle’s Yard house. Himid, trained in theatre design, has been influential in the British Black Arts movement since the 1980s. Her recent work explores overlooked histories and daily life. A new installation expands on Blue Grid Test (2020), referencing letters between Sophie Brzeska and Nina Hamnett.

Visiting Kettle’s Yard

Kettle’s Yard is located on Castle Street on the northern fringe of the city centre. Most points of interest in central Cambridge are no more than a 15–20-minute walk from here.

The gallery is open Tuesday–Sunday, it is closed on Mondays. Entry requires a timed entry ticket, which can be booked online.

Allow 1–2 hours for your visit.

We may earn a small commission if you book after clicking the links below.