Leighton House and Sambourne House Ticket Portal

FAQs / Help

Are Leighton House and Sambourne House currently open?

Both houses opened on October 15 2022. Leighton House is open Wednesdays to Mondays from 10am-5:30pm, and Sambourne House is open Wednesdays to Sundays 10:00am – 5:30pm.

What are the opening times?

Leighton House is open Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 5:30pm with last before 5pm and closed on Tuesdays. We regret that we aren't able to admit visitors after last entry times so we ask you to arrive before 5pm.

Sambourne House is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm with last entry before 5pm and closed on Tuesdays. We regret that we aren't able to admit visitors after last entry times so we ask you to arrive before 5pm.

How do I use my e-ticket?

You will be emailed an order confirmation that will include your unique Booking Reference Number and a barcode that also contains this number. When you arrive at Leighton House or Sambourne House, please present your ticket on your smartphone or as a paper copy. If you don’t have a smartphone or a printer, you will be asked for the Booking Reference Number at the Welcome Desk. If you have purchased a concession or free ticket, the relevant proof of ID will be required.

Can I visit Leighton House and Sambourne House on the same day?

Yes, there are joint tickets available to visit both houses on the same day. Joint visits are available from Wednesdays to Sundays 10am – 5pm. Both houses are located within a 10-minute walk and we recommend allocating at least 1hour for each museum.

If you plan to visit both houses on a joint visit, make sure you leave enough time to visit and travel between the two houses well before 5pm.

Can I cancel my booking and be refunded?

Unfortunately, we cannot issue any refunds for cancellations. If you would like to exchange your ticket, please contact us on museums@rbkc.gov.uk seven days before the admission or event is scheduled and we will try to accommodate your request. For more information about our Refund and Exchange Policy, please read our Terms & Conditions.

Is there wheelchair access?

Please note that Leighton House is fully accessible and wheelchair users can use the lift to move across the historic floors and the new wing. Accessible toilets are located at basement level. Unfortunately, due to the historic building layout, there is no disabled access at Sambourne House. For more information about Accessibility in both houses, please visit our website.

Is car parking available?

Leighton House and Sambourne House do not have any onsite parking and we recommend travelling by public transport where possible.

Limited metered parking is available in nearby streets from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 1.30pm. There is free parking on Sunday.

There is additional parking in the Holland Park Car Park off Abbotsbury Road (pay and display), which is 10 minutes’ walk from both museums. 

For more parking information please click here.

Can I buy tickets at the houses on the day?

Admission tickets for both houses are available at the Welcome Desk, although advance booking is recomended. For ticketed events, you’ll need to purchase your ticket in advance as they are usually only available online.

What time should I arrive?

Admission tickets for both houses do not have a time-slot allocated and you can arrive any time from 10am to 5pm on opening days, but please be aware that last entry is before 5pm. Please note that we recommend 1.5h to visit Leighton House if there is a temporary exhibition and 1h to visit Sambourne House.

For ticketed events (on site), doors usually open 30 mins before the event starts. For some events, late-comers will not be admitted.

Who do I contact if I have any other ticketing questions?

Please contact us by email on museums@rbkc.gov.uk or by phone on 020 7361 3783.

How can I make a group booking?

For information about Group Bookings, please visit our website here or contact Tracey Lazarus on tracey.lazarus@rbkc.gov.uk (Private Groups) and Charlotte Villiers (Schools) on charlotte.villiers@rbkc.gov.uk

I don't have my Friends membership card

Please contact us at museumsfriends@rbkc.gov.uk if you need a card replacement. There may be a cost associated to this. If you are a member and have forgotten to bring your card when you visit, provide your full name, postcode or membership number at the Welcome Desk and you will be granted entry.

How can I get to Leighton House/Sambourne House?

By public transport:

Underground:

High Street Kensington (5- minute walk to Sambourne House and 10-minute walk to Leighton House

Kensington Olympia (5- minute walk to Leighton House and 10-minute walk to Leighton House)

Buses

9, 23, 27, 28, 49, 328, C1 stops on Kensington High Street (Sambourne House) and Design Museum (Leighton House)

Where can I eat?

Leighton House has a brand-new café overlooking the house garden with capacity for up to 22 people seated. The café serves a range of teas, coffees and light refreshments. Sambourne House does not have any café facilities on site however there are plenty of restaurants and cafes on High Street Kensington. For more information, please visit the Explore Kensington website here.

Can I bring my dog?

Only Guide, Hearing and Assistance dogs are welcomed inside the museums.

Pets are not allowed inside Leighton House and Sambourne House, including outdoor spaces and the De Morgan Café at Leighton House.

Where should I go on arrival?

On arrival at Leighton House, please go to the main entrance on the new wing where the reception desk, café and shop are located. The entrance to Sambourne House is down steep steps to the basement.

Are there baby-changing facilities on site?

There are baby-changing facilities at Leighton House in the basement. Unfortunately, there are not changing facilities at Sambourne House.

With thanks to our Friends, Partners and Funders