The place
Private home of extensive travelers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built.

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum has undergone a major Heritage Lottery Fund refurbishment project costing £3M.
This has involved work to the fabric of the building, a faithful restoration of the unique historic interiors, improved visitor services and the re-landscaping of the cliff-top garden to its original 1921 design.
Information
Yellow Buses run a service every 8 minutes from Bournemouth railway station to the stop by the IMAX on the seafront. This is the nearest stop for the Russell-Cotes via buses 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Open Top bus (12) travels past the Russell-Cotes during the summer period

The Cafe at the Russell-Cotes

Set in a unique, light and airy space designed by five regionally based craftspeople.

The Cafe offers freshly prepared, imaginative food and beverages with daily specials.

Open 10.00am - 4.45pm every day except Monday.
(Last orders for hot food in the cafe 4.00pm)

History
Built between 1897-1907 as a house/museum by John Frederick Fogerty, it embraces a number of styles reflecting the tastes of the clients, Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes. It is a combination of Italianate villa and Scottish Baronial set in grounds incorporating a Japanese garden situated on the Cliff top overlooking Poole Bay, the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks.

The house underwent various alterations as the collection grew, the conversion of a bedroom, the Blue Room, into a Japanese Room, being the last major change by Merton who died before its completion

Opening Hours:
10.00am - 5.00pm Tuesday-Sunday
Closed: Mondays, Christmas Day and Good Friday