Visit to Leighton House and Linley Sambourne’s House

We will be visiting two wonderful artists’ houses in Kensington: Lord Leighton’s Palace of Art in Holland Park and the house of Punch cartoonist Linley Sambourne which has been preserved as a time- capsule of the complete aesthetic interior. Leighton’s magnificent house, with its fountain playing in a tiled court that could have come straight from the Arabian Nights, was one of the great artists’ houses and has recently been splendidly restored. Linley Sambourne – whose caricature of Oscar Wilde as a sunflower will be familiar to members – created a perfect aesthetic interior whilst satirising aestheticism for Punch readers. Sambourne’s granddaughter Anne, Countess of Rosse, founded the Victorian Society at a dinner party in the house and presented the house to the Society, ensuring its preservation.

Admission to both houses will cost £22 or £20 for students and over-60s. The guided tour of Leighton House will begin at 11.00 a.m. The tour of Linley Sambourne House will be self-guided as the rooms are too small for large parties. We can arrive at Linley Sambourne House at any time after 2.00 p.m. and take ourselves around. Lunch will not be provided, but there are many eating places in the area. If the weather is fine, we can enjoy a packed lunch in the garden of Leighton House.

Payment by PayPal is preferred to: membership@oscarwildesociety.co.uk and if you do use this means of payment, please email Geoff Dibb so that he definitely has your booking. Alternatively ask Geoff for the address to send a cheque made to The Oscar Wilde Society.