The Russell-Cotes Museum was originally known as East Cliff Hall. It was built in 1901 by Merton Russell-Cotes (1835 – 1921), then owner of the Royal Bath Hotel next door, as a birthday present for his wife Annie. It was built in the Art Nouveau style, on a cliff-top overlooking the sea.
Address: East Cliff Promenade, BH1 3AA (Google map)
Telephone: 01202 451800
Website: https://russellcotes.com
Merton Russell-Cotes was Mayor of Bournemouth from 1894 – 1895 and fought hard to enhance the town’s reputation as a health resort.
In 1907 Annie and Merton announced that they wanted to give their recently completed home and its contents to the people of Bournemouth. In return they were granted the Freedom of the Borough of Bournemouth in 1908 and he was knighted the following year.
The museum displays many beautiful objects collected in the course if Sir Merton’s foreign travels, especially to Japan, and paintings from his personal art collection. He was friends of the actor Sir Henry Irving who stayed with him on several occasions and open room in the museum is dedicated to his memory.
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery Admission Prices
Entrance to the Cafe and Cafe Gallery is free but if you want to look around the house and visit the exhibitions you need a ticket.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult and Senior | £8.50 |
| Child (5-17) | £4.50 |
| Child under 5 | Free |
| Family (2A + 3C) | £22.60 |
| Student | £4.50 |
| Adult Annual Pass | £22 |
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery Opening Hours
Open: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays
Closed: Mondays, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Related Pages: Bournemouth / Bournemouth Beach / City Sightseeing Bus / Pier Zipline / Bournemouth Oceanarium / Big Wheel