Gainsborough’s House

Gainsborough’s House is the childhood home of Thomas Gainsborough RA (1727–1788). Today, the permanent collection of Gainsborough’s House encompasses the whole career of Thomas Gainsborough, from early portraits and landscapes painted in Suffolk during the 1750s, to later works from his Bath and London periods of the 1760s, 70s and 80s. The collection of works on paper includes drawings by Gainsborough and his contemporaries, as well as prints by or after Gainsborough and other eighteenth-century artists.

In 2019, Gainsborough’s House commenced a £10m building project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. On 21 November 2022, the museum re-opened to the public after a transformational refurbishment; introducing 3 new exhibition spaces to accompany the original Grade I listed building. The museum is now the largest gallery in Suffolk.

The visitor entrance to Gainsborough’s House is on Weavers Lane and leads into the main gallery. Visitors can view the family house, the new gallery spaces, examples of Gainsborough’s work, alongside specialist exhibitions and the famed, crinkle-crinkle walled garden and Mulberry Tree dating to the early 1600s. The space also has The Watering Place café serving coffees, pastries and light lunches.

There is a varied programme of temporary exhibitions of both historic and contemporary art.

The visitor entrance to Gainsborough’s House is on Weavers Lane and leads into Reception and the Gift Shop, with the Hills Room Education Centre upstairs. The entrance area leads out on to the terrace and the delightful walled garden, with its ancient mulberry tree.

The Print Workshop at Gainsborough’s House is now recognised as one of the best facilities of its kind in the country and welcomes printmakers through its membership scheme and courses. A programme of classes, intensive summer courses and tailor-made workshops for community and educational groups is designed to help both experienced artists and newcomers to printmaking develop a wide range of skills.

Prices including a Gift Aid Donation / excluding Gift Aid

Gainsborough’s House, Galleries and Exhibition

Adult £17.50 / £15.90
Child (5-16 with under 5s free) £5.00 / £4.50
Student (17-25 with Student Card) £13.15 / £11.95
Friends Free

Gainsborough’s House and Galleries only (no exhibition)

Adult £12.50 / £11.35
Child (5-16 with under 5s free) £5.00 / £4.50
Student (17-25 with Student Card) £9.40 / £8.50
Friends Free

Exhibition Only

Adult £10.00 / £9.05
Child (5-16 with under 5s free) £5.00 / £4.50
Student (17-25 with Student Card) £6.80
Friends Free

National Art Pass – Free entry to House & Galleries, £5 fee to Exhibition
Museums Association – Free entry to House, Galleries & Exhibition
Historic Houses – Free entry to House, Galleries & Exhibition

The museum, cafe and shop will be opening from 10am until 5pm every day.

We’ll be closed from 1pm on Christmas Eve until January 2nd inclusive and will be re-opening on January 3rd.

• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchair accessible
• Family friendly
• Garden