UK / East / Suffolk
Gainsborough’s House
46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EU
Gainsborough’s House combines the childhood home of Thomas Gainsborough – a Grade I-listed eighteenth-century Merchant house and its historic garden – with impressive new exhibition galleries and visitor facilities.
Gainsborough (1727–88) is one of Britain’s greatest ever artists and his birthplace and childhood home is a national asset.
The house was saved from destruction in 1958 and opened to the public in 1961 to promote the wider knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the art of Thomas Gainsborough and to preserve and enhance the house and its collections for the benefit of present and future generations.
In 2019, Gainsborough’s House embarked on a major capital redevelopment. This project transformed the site with a new three-story exhibition wing, a study area, improved print workshop, a new cafe, shop, and office spaces as well as the full restoration of the Georgian townhouse. These new facilities were opened in November 2022.
Our new galleries, study areas and visitor amenities have vastly increased access to exhibitions and the permanent collection. They have also enabled us to serve new audiences from the regional community with imaginative exhibition, workshops and learning programmes that meet their specific, wide-ranging needs.
Visit WebsiteOpening Times
Open every day, see our website for seasonal opening times.
Prices
Prices including a Gift Aid Donation / excluding Gift Aid Gainsborough’s House, Galleries and Exhibition Adult – £16.50 / £15
18’s and under – Free
Friends of Gainsborough’s House – Free
National Art Pass – Free entry to House & Galleries, £5 fee to Exhibition
Museums Association – Free entry to House, Galleries & Exhibition
Historic Houses – Free entry to House, Galleries & Exhibition
Facilities
Café
Baby Changing
Disabled Access
Toilets
Other things to do nearby
ACCUMULATED: Escape Room at the National Horseracing Museum
Welcome to ‘Accumulated’, an exhilarating escape room experience where players step into the shadowy world of international betting syndicates.
View event
BSL Signing Day 2025 at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
We’ll be pleased to welcome all our friends from the deaf community back to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary for a day of displays and special Q&A sessions from BSL Interpreter, Natalie.
View event
Classic Car Show at the National Horseracing Museum
Join us for a day experiencing a different type of horsepower as our historical site brings together some of the finest classic cars and timeless automobiles.
View event
Africa By Night at Africa Alive
Back by popular demand, Africa By Night returns to Africa Alive for 2025 – bigger, better, and later than ever!
View event
Africa Alive
Part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, Africa Alive is the perfect place to explore some of Africa’s most iconic animals while learning about their natural instincts, habitats, and conservation.
View attraction
Pleasurewood Hills
Located in beautiful Suffolk coastal woodland, Pleasurewood Hills family theme park has proudly been making memories since 1983.
View attraction
The Red House
The Red House, Aldeburgh is a heritage destination on the Suffolk Coast.
View attraction
Snape Maltings
Snape Maltings sits on the bank of the River Alde, surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just six miles from Aldeburgh.
View attraction
Bridge Farm Barn
Discover something unique. Located in Monks Eleigh, one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages, Bridge Farm Barns is a collection of unique, independent retail businesses and a tea room, each offering the visitor an unparalleled selection of distinctive products and good service.
View attractionLatest News
Top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch
The UK is home to some fantastically colourful, elusive and rare species. To celebrate their numerous species, we have put together a list of top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch.