What is the Russell-Cotes?
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a historic house and art gallery on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, overlooking the sea. Completed in 1901, this dream house was given by Sir Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife Annie for her 66th birthday. Called East Cliff Hall, the house was an extraordinary, extravagant birthday present, and Annie and Merton filled their exotic seaside villa with beautiful objects from their travels across the world, and lined the walls with a remarkable collection of British art, creating a unique atmosphere in a most dramatic setting.
In 1907, Annie and Merton announced their intention of donating East Cliff Hall, its contents and art collection ‘for the enjoyment of the public of Bournemouth and visitors to the town’. At this time, visitors were able to visit one day a month as the house was still home to Annie and Merton until their respective deaths in 1920 and 1921. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum formally opened to the public on 10 March 1922, and was open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 6pm in the summer, and until 4pm in the winter.
Annie and Merton made increasing provision for their legacy in their final years, including the addition of three new art galleries in 1919 and the appointment of Richard Quick as the first curator. Quick joined the Museum on 10 June 1921, only months after Merton’s death, and it was under his direction that the personal quarters of Annie and Merton were prepared to become gallery spaces. As a result, Annie and Merton’s former home became less of a house and more of a museum, as it was increasingly filled with cases of objects of all kind.
It wasn’t until 2000, with a major Heritage Lottery funded project, that the museum was returned to its original state as a historic house and home. Original decoration was restored where possible, and the rooms were styled as they were in 1907, using historic photographs as a guide.
Today, you can enjoy visiting Annie and Merton’s house as if you had stepped back in time, without barriers and bars. As well as exploring this wonderful Victorian home, our temporary exhibition programme not only highlights treasures from our collection, but also brings renowned artworks to Bournemouth.
We rely on our your support, and the income generated from admissions, and all our other activities, enables us to open the museum to visitors and to support the conservation, care and maintenance of the Russell-Cotes house and collection for future generations.