The Russell-Cotes is an excellent resource for Home Educated students.
Home Education visits are able to occur at any time during our regular opening hours 10am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday.
For pre-booked visits we offer home educators the following discounted admission prices;
£5 per child with one accompanying adult per child free of charge. Additional accompanying adults are charged at the standard admission rate.
A non-booked visit would incur our standard admission prices.
For further details about admission prices visit Admission Prices.
To pre-book please email russellcotes.learning@bcpcouncil.gov.uk with information on the date and time you would like to visit and the number of people in your party.
Please be aware of the following information.
The upper floor of the historic house is only accessible via a staircase, if you require information about accessibility please visit our accessibility page.
To protect the fragile historic house and our world-class collections the museum has the following guidelines;
- Parents / Guardians are to accompany students at all times, and are responsible for managing behaviour.
- The museum had an open display policy, where collection items are out on display rather than in cabinets or behind barriers, this means the museum has rules regarding not touching, leaning on or sitting on collection items, artworks or historic furniture.
- We do not allow backpacks or any large bags within the historic house.
- Food and drink are not permitted within the historic house.
- Photography is permitted without flash.
- In wet weather all wet coats and all umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom area.
- Sketching is permitted within the historic house, but we do not allow wet materials or charcoal.
Home Education Group Visits
If you are interested in bringing a home education group to the Russell-Cotes, please contact the Learning Team to pre-book your visit and benefit from the Home Education pricing.
Email the Learning Team russellcotes.learning@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Supported Visits and Workshops
The Learning Team offer a variety of taught sessions, tours and workshops.
Beside the Seaside: From parasols to penny licks, discover how the seaside developed during the Victorian period and how it has changed since then. Investigate the changes through the study of paintings, sculpture and object handling.
Heroes, Gods and Monsters: Perseus, Pegasus and Aphrodite are just some of the characters from Ancient Greece whose myths are told in painting, sculpture, ceramic and decorative features around the historic house. Discover how these stories have inspired artists through the ages.
A Victorian Christmas: Discover the charms and delights of a Victorian Christmas. What would Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes have eaten for their Christmas dinner? Who invented the Christmas card and cracker? These are just some of the things you will discover during the session in addition to playing traditional Victorian games, singing songs and making a Christmas craft.
Portrait Detectives: Explore the Russell-Cotes’ wonderful portrait collection. Study the pose, composition, audience and purpose. This interactive session includes observational sketching and culminates in the pupils creating a unique self-portrait.
Museum Tours: Find out more about Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes, their home East Cliff Hall and the formation of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.
Art Workshops: Practical hands-on workshops are a fabulous way to develop key skills and try new techniques to create either individual or collaborative pieces of art work.
Pricing
£5.50 per student* with one accompanying adult free per child.
* For art workshops there may be an additional charge for materials.
How to make an enquiry or booking
Email the Learning Team russellcotes.learning@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
If there is a particular theme or topic not listed that you would like us to support, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
