Take your time to explore the many interesting details of the house's exterior and venture inside to discover the captivating interiors, artworks, and artifacts that reflect the interests and travels of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes.
This historic site offers a unique glimpse into the lives of a remarkable couple and their contributions to Bournemouth's cultural heritage.
East Cliff Hall – a home with a view
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a fascinating 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 art, creating a unique atmosphere in a most dramatic setting.
The art collection includes works by the great artists of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, Landseer, Frith, Herkomer, Edwin Long, Albert Moore, Munnings and many works by the Pre-Raphaelites (including Rosetti's Venus Verticordia) and female artists including Evelyn de Morgan's Aurora Triumphans.
A gift to the town
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,’ and in 1909 Merton was knighted for his services to Bournemouth. The couple continued to live in East Cliff Hall until their deaths. Annie died 17 April, 1920, and Merton survived her by just nine months. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum formally opened to the public on 10 March 1922.
The Russell-Cotes today
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, the temporary exhibition programme not only highlights treasures from the collection, but also brings renowned artworks to Bournemouth.
Admission charges apply to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.
How to get here
The postcode of this site is: BH1 3AA
Or you can use What3Words: ///banana.rock.oasis