Orleans House Gallery

RichmondUnited Kingdom 51° N · 0° W Verified Oct 2026

Orleans House Gallery, situated in the picturesque town of Twickenham, London, stands as a beacon of cultural and historical significance.

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Orleans House Gallery
Interior of Sir Richard Burton's Bedroom with Victorian style furniture and decor
Victorian era bedroom interior of Sir Richard Burton featuring period furniture and rich decor at Orleans House Gallery
Victorian sitting room with ornate furniture and decorations
Interior view of a Victorian sitting room featuring ornate furniture, detailed decorations, and classic Victorian design elements.
Sir Richard Burton's smoking room with detailed interior design and paintings
An intricate interior view of Sir Richard Burton's smoking room featuring detailed woodwork, painted walls, and historical paintings, located in Orleans House Gallery
Portrait of Sir Richard Burton in His Study by Albert Letchford
Classic portrait painting of Sir Richard Burton in his study captured by Albert Letchford, showcasing 19th-century attire and study ambiance.
Portrait of Sir Richard Francis Burton in Arab dress
Artistic portrait of Sir Richard Francis Burton wearing traditional Arab dress, painted by Albert Letchford
The corner of Sir Richard Burton's study with a cozy and antique interior
Antique study corner of Sir Richard Burton featuring cozy decor and classic furnishings in a historic setting
The corner of Sir Richard Burton's study with his portrait by Albert Letchford
Portrait painting by Albert Letchford depicting the corner of Sir Richard Burton's study with detailed furniture and artifacts.
Portrait of Albert Letchford in Trieste, Italy
Portrait photograph of Albert Letchford taken in Trieste, Italy, showcasing a historical figure from the late 19th to early 20th century.
View of Trieste, Italy showing the coastal cityscape with buildings and the sea
Historic view of Trieste, Italy depicting the coastal cityscape with numerous buildings along the shore and the sea in the background.
View from Richmond Hill in Surrey looking northwest, painted by Antonio Joli
Scenic painting of the view from Richmond Hill in Surrey looking northwest, painted by Antonio Joli in the 18th century, showcasing a peaceful landscape with trees and a river.
Portrait of Arthur Alexander Sothern in 19th century attire
A historical portrait of Arthur Alexander Sothern, an actor from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wearing period-appropriate clothing with a formal expression.
Mother and child seated in a garden by Arthur Hughes
Painting by Arthur Hughes (1832-1915) depicting a mother and child seated together in a serene garden setting, showcasing tender family moments and Victorian art style.

Orleans House Gallery, in Twickenham, London, is a cultural and historical site as well as a hub for exhibitions, events and educational workshops. The gallery is set among gardens overlooking the River Thames. Its vision includes building community through creativity, and its program brings together contemporary art, education and community engagement.

History

Origins and architecture

Orleans House began as a Palladian villa built in 1710 by architect John James for James Johnston, a prominent politician and diplomat (Wikipedia). After falling out of favour with King William III, Johnston retired to Twickenham. The house was named after the Duc d'Orléans, who lived there in the early 19th century.

The Baroque Octagon Room, designed by James Gibbs, is one of the few surviving parts of the original house. It is listed as a Grade I building by Historic England, and its lavish Baroque interiors have been restored (Wikipedia).

Decline, restoration and revival

By the early 20th century, the house had fallen into disrepair and was mostly demolished in 1926. Local philanthropist Nellie Ionides helped save the remaining outbuildings and Octagon Room. On her death in 1962, she left the property and her collection of 18th- and 19th-century artworks to the borough of Twickenham (Wikipedia). The gallery opened to the public in 1972.

A restoration project led by architects Patel Taylor ran from 2005 to 2008. The £3.7 million project, partly funded by a £1.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, restored the Octagon Room, improved facilities and extended the upper floor to provide more space (Wikipedia). The gallery reopened in March 2018 after a 17-month restoration project.

Colonial connections

Orleans House has connections with Britain’s colonial history. The gallery addresses this through exhibitions and educational programs intended to support a deeper understanding of the roots of contemporary inequalities and to build community through creativity (Orleans House Gallery). Its program also aims to engage with artists of colour and diverse-led arts organisations.

What to see and do

Collections and exhibitions

The gallery holds the Richmond Borough Art Collection, including a portrait of James Johnston by Thomas Gibson and paintings of Orleans House by Arthur Vickers and other artists. Its holdings also include the Burton Collection, with artwork, personal effects and photographs of explorer Richard Francis Burton. Past exhibitions have included watercolours and sketches by Richard Dadd and a major retrospective of Stephen Wiltshire’s work in 2003 (Wikipedia).

The gallery’s Cultural Reforesting initiative invites artists to consider how we might renew our relationship with nature, combining art with environmental consciousness and community engagement (Art Fund).

Current and upcoming exhibitions

  • A Ripple in Time From July 6, 2024, to February 23, 2025, artist Gary Stewart’s immersive installation explores the convergence of past, present and future through sound, video and historical objects. It raises questions about identity and belonging, and about why people emphasise differences over commonalities. The opening celebration on July 6, 2024, includes a musical performance by Gary Stewart and cellist Kate Shortt (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Kate Howe: The Templum Running from August 6 to September 22, 2024, this exhibition explores sacred spaces and their relevance in contemporary society. Howe’s work often incorporates nature and spirituality (Orleans House Gallery).

Past exhibitions and events

  • Saroj Patel: Ocean Mother On display from February 6 to April 7, 2024, this exhibition explored the mythological and ecological significance of the ocean, combining traditional art forms with contemporary techniques (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Caroline Mac Cathmhaoil: Ticket to Turiya Running from December 2, 2023, to January 28, 2024, the exhibition explored Turiya, a state of pure consciousness in Hindu philosophy, through multimedia installations and interactive elements (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Josie Rae Turnbull: Saline Shock! On display from September 29 to November 26, 2023, this exhibition examined the impact of saltwater environments on human and ecological systems through sculpture, video and sound installations (Orleans House Gallery).
  • In Conversation With Artist Josie Rae Turnbull and Science Fiction Writer Arianne Maki On November 4, 2023, the gallery hosted a conversation about the creative processes behind Turnbull’s Saline Shock! exhibition and Maki’s speculative fiction works (Orleans House Gallery).
  • The Complexity of Touch – An Installation by Madi Boyd This installation ran from August 1 to September 17, 2023, exploring the sensory experience of touch and its emotional and psychological implications. Open studio events on July 21 and July 26, 2023, gave visitors the opportunity to meet the artist and learn about her work (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Superm̶a̶r̶k̶e̶t̶Forest On display from January 12 to March 5, 2023, this installation transformed the gallery into a forest-like environment and invited visitors to reconsider consumerism and nature. It included soundscapes, video projections and interactive elements (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Unattributable Briefs: Act Two Running from January 28 to June 25, 2023, this exhibition explored identity and anonymity in the digital age through works by multiple artists (Orleans House Gallery).

Family and community programs

The gallery is the site of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames’ arts service. It offers educational workshops for a wide range of ages in the converted stables and coach house (Wikipedia). Family activities are designed to encourage creativity, communication and social-emotional development (Art Fund).

  • Let’s Get Creative Family workshops are scheduled for September 28–29, 2024, and October 29–30, 2024. They offer children and families the opportunity to explore different art forms and techniques (Orleans House Gallery).
  • Curious Tots This ongoing program encourages young children to explore art through play and interactive activities (Orleans House Gallery).

Practical visiting information

Opening hours, admission and tickets

The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and closed on Mondays. Admission is free, including for exhibitions and events. No prior booking is required, although some events or workshops may be ticketed. Check the gallery’s website for updates on closures, special events and ticketed activities (Orleans House Gallery visiting hours; Orleans House Gallery tickets).

Accessibility, transport and facilities

The gallery is near Twickenham and Richmond stations and is accessible by public transport and car. Facilities include wheelchair access and accessible restrooms, with assistance for visitors with visual or hearing impairments. Visitors with specific accessibility needs can contact the gallery in advance (Orleans House Gallery accessibility).

Limited free car parking is available within the grounds. The Stables Café serves light lunches, snacks and beverages. For more information, contact the gallery by email at [email protected] or by phone at 020 8831 6000. The gallery’s website also provides information on exhibitions, events and visitor services (Orleans House Gallery).

Tips

Check the gallery website for updates about opening arrangements, closures, special events and any ticketed activities (Orleans House Gallery). Visitors are also advised to check tide times, as high tides can limit access (Orleans House Gallery).

Nearby places

Nearby places to visit include Marble Hill House and Strawberry Hill House, as well as Richmond Park, Ham House and Richmond town centre.