Newsletter sign up

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 Website

Opening 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

5th - 21st Dec

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Snape Maltings

Join us for a festive afternoon tea in our River View Café & Bar at Snape Maltings.

View event
7th - 13th Dec

Breakfast with Father Christmas at Snape Maltings

Father Christmas is making a special stop at Snape Maltings, and you’re invited to join him for a festive breakfast to remember.

View event
14th Dec 9:00am - 12:00pm

DJ Christmas Special at Snape Maltings

Elevate your Sunday morning with a Christmas Special Breakfast Club with DJ Issy B, providing the perfect soundtrack to start your day.

View event
20th Dec 9:00am - 12:00pm

Jazz at Christmas brunch at Snape Maltings

Start your Sunday morning on a smooth note with Christmas tunes from our resident jazz band.

View event

Southwold Maize Maze

Summer Fun at Southwold Maize Maze – Celebrating 20 Years!

View attraction
24th May - 21st Dec

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
20th Sep 10:00am - 5:00pm

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

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

Nestled in beautiful Suffolk coastal woodland, Pleasurewood Hills family theme park has been proudly making memories since 1983.

View attraction

Latest 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.