Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum stands on East Cliff in Bournemouth, a Grade II* listed building once called East Cliff Hall. It sits above the Royal Bath Hotel, on a cliff overlooking the sea. The house was designed by John Frederick Fogerty for Merton Russell-Cotes as a birthday gift for his wife Annie. Built in the Art Nouveau style, its interiors were created by John Thomas and his son Oliver. The first part was finished in 1901, with later additions over the following decades. The museum holds collections gathered by Sir Merton during his travels, especially in Japan, and his personal art collection. A room is dedicated to the actor Sir Henry Irving, a friend of the family, who stayed there and died in 1905. The Irving Museum displays items from his estate alongside memorabilia of his contemporaries like Ellen Terry and Sarah Bernhardt. Twice-yearly exhibitions of contemporary art complement the main collection, featuring artists such as Jonathan Yeo and Jon Edgar in 2011. Visitors find a restaurant and play area for young children in the new annexe. The old annexe’s art gallery shows a wide and changing selection of pictures and statues. Older children can use a ‘detective sheet’ to spot images of animals and birds. The house itself displays the Russell-Cotes’ travels through various objects and artworks. The museum is currently seeking funds to repair water damage while becoming an independent charity.