Sambourne House is a preserved Victorian terraced house that offers visitors a glimpse into late 19th-century domestic life. Built in the 1870s, the house was the residence of the Sambourne family, who were prominent members of Victorian society. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing the well-preserved interiors and furnishings typical of the Victorian era
The Grade II*-listed house was formerly the home of Punch illustrator Edward Linley Sambourne (1844–1910). The house passed through various members of Linley Sambourne’s family after his death in 1910, eventually ending up under the ownership of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea who leased it to the Victorian Society and it was reopened to the public in 2022 following a lengthy restoration project.
What to see at Sambourne House
Visitors can explore the various rooms, including the drawing room, dining room and bedrooms, which are furnished with original artefacts and decorations from the period. The museum provides insight into the lifestyle, tastes, and social customs of the Victorian upper-middle class.
The house is decorated in the aesthetic style, which was briefly fashionable in the late 19th century. This features decorative motifs on the stained glass windows, William Morris wallpapers and Chinese ceramics. In addition, there are also some examples of Linley Sambourne’s illustrations on display.
Guided tours offer historical context and anecdotes about the Linley Sambourne family and their way of life. Sambourne House provides a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience firsthand the domestic environment of Victorian London.
Visiting Sambourne House
Sambourne House is on a residential street in Kensington, not far from Holland Park. It is only a two-minute walk from High Street Kensington and not much farther to Holland Park and both the Design Museum and Leighton House Museum are less than a 10-minute walk away.
It is a five-minute walk from High Street Kensington tube station (on the Circle and District lines) and it is also easy to get to by any of the bus routes that run along High Street Kensington, including buses 9, 27, 28, 49, 328.
Many people combine a visit with the nearby Leighton House Museum, which showcases another artist’s home with a unique interior decor.
Sambourne House is open Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is half-price if you have the National Art Pass.
Guided tours (included with your entry ticket) take place at 11.30am on Wednesdays.
There are a lot of stairs, so a visit may not be suitable if you have mobility issues.
Allow up to an hour for your visit.
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