Russell-Cotes Museum

The Russell-Cotes is a Grade 2* listed flamboyant and highly decorated Victorian villa, built by local hoteliers, Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes as their home on the Bournemouth clifftop and then filled with their collections of fine and decorative arts and souvenirs from their world travels. It was donated to the people of Bournemouth and opened as a museum in 1922 and is a remarkable, authentic survival with its contents and original decorations and furnishings.

Guests can choose from curator-led tours of the historic house, including in-depth explorations of its celebrated collections, rare behind-the-scenes access to private and servant areas, or a special showcase of seldom-seen Pre-Raphaelite works.

The visit can be perfectly complemented with a refined Afternoon Tea in the Victorian Conservatory, offering beautiful views over the gardens and Poole Bay, creating a memorable blend of art, history and indulgence.