Exterior of Gainsborough's House Overview

Dating to around 1520, the house that now occupies 46 Gainsborough Street was the birthplace of one of Britain's greatest artists. After four centuries as a private residence and forty years in limbo, the building was transformed into a museum and monument to Thomas Gainsborough in 1958.

Permanent Collections

The House's permanent collection encompasses the whole of Thomas Gainsborough's career, from his early portraiture and landscapes to later works from his London period. The outstanding collection is shown together with 18th-century furniture and memorabilia. There is a varied programme of exhibitions on both historic British and contemporary art throughout the year.

Visitor information

Built around the centrepiece of a huge mulberry tree, Gainsborough House's deceptively large garden dates back to the early 1600s, and is maintained all year round with plants that would have been available in Gainsborough's lifetime. There is also a small Coffee Shop serving light refreshments.