Hove Museum & Art Gallery
Victorian villa with an Indian twist
Hove Museum & Art Gallery is a handsome, late 19th century Italianate Victorian villa originally called Brooker Hall. It was designed by architect Thomas Lainson and built for John Oliver Vallance. John Oliver died in 1893 and his widow continued to live in the villa until 1913.
During the World War I the building was used to house German prisoners of war. In 1926 it was purchased by Hove Corporation and opened as a public museum in 1927.
The Jaipur Gate
In the grounds of Hove Museum stands the Jaipur Gate. It was originally made for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 in London and has stood in the grounds since 1926. The gateway formed the entry to the Rajputana (now Rajasthan) section of the exhibition and the Maharaja of Jaipur paid for its construction. The gate was dismantled in 2004 for specialist conservation and restoration work and has now been returned complete with a new copper and lead dome roof.
An injection of funding
Thanks to both public and private funding Hove Museum underwent a major refurbishment in 2003. It is now one of the most family friendly and accessible museums in the south east. Part of the redevelopment programme involved working with local artists and community groups to create unique commissions for the museum. These include decorative metal railings, gallery seating and an unusual panel in the lift interior.
Perfectly crafted
Alongside significant collections of toys, pioneering film ephemera, local history and fine art displays, Hove Museum boasts one of the finest craft collections in the country. The museum regularly showcases the work of local and national contemporary makers.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Opening times
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 2-5pm
Closed Wednesdays; 24-28 Dec & 1 Jan
Please note that Hove Museum is now open on Mondays and closed on Wednesdays.
Admission FREE
How to get here
By bus The museum is about a 20 minute bus journey from Brighton city centre. Buses 1 & 1A, 6 & 6A and 49 from Brighton’s North Street or Churchill Square stop near the entrance.
By train Nearest train station is Hove. The museum is about a 15-20 minute walk from the station.
By taxi Take a taxi from Brighton city centre; the journey takes about 10 minutes.
Facilities
museum gift shop: sells souvenirs and gifts reflecting the museum’s themes and galleries, plus tickets for museum events
full disabled and wheelchair access
public conveniences and fully accessible toilet
WHAT TO SEE:
Hove Museum is one of the most family friendly and accessible museums in the south east with an unusual Indian gateway in its grounds. It houses one of the finest craft collections in the country.
The museum’s significant collection of toys is on display in the Wizard’s Attic. A magical toy treasure chest, it is toy heaven for all the family with dolls, teddy bears, mechanical toys, toy trains and dolls houses, rocking horses and tricycles.
Explore the pioneering Hove film-makers of the 1890s and 1900s in the Film gallery.
Find out how Hove has developed since prehistoric times in the Local History gallery.
Our Fine Art collection includes three centuries of prints, paintings, drawings and sculpture.
The museum has a leading regional Contemporary Craft gallery and showcases 20th century craft pioneers as well as modern day talent.
Year-round exhibitions range from fine art to contemporary craft.
There are lots of regular hands-on events and activities encouraging all ages to experiment and be creative with craft.
Address:
19 New Church Road
Hove
BN3 4AB
United Kingdom