Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability

About the museum

Normansfield was founded in 1868 by the Victorian physician Dr John Langdon Down as a family home and a place of care and education for people with learning disabilities, at a time when most would have been sent to an asylum. His approach of improving individuals' lives and abilities was seen as enlightened, and the site grew from the first house towards the River Thames. The Normansfield Theatre, built from 1877, is a rare surviving Victorian private theatre and is Grade II* listed.

In 2010 the Langdon Down Centre Trust merged with the Down's Syndrome Association, which now owns and manages the building. It houses the association's national office and Down Syndrome International as well as the museum and theatre. The museum has exhibitions on Dr Down, Normansfield and the Royal Earlswood Asylum, and shows objects made by James Henry Pullen, known as the Genius of Earlswood Asylum, including his ships and a model of Brunel's Great Eastern.

The theatre keeps its original painted scenery, fixtures and fittings, including botanical panels attributed to Marianne North, and the centre holds what it describes as the largest collection of fully restored Victorian scenery in the UK.

Highlights

• Normansfield Theatre, a Grade II* listed Victorian private theatre dating from 1877
• Botanical panels attributed to Marianne North at the front of the stage
• Ships and other objects made by James Henry Pullen of Earlswood Asylum
• Largest collection of fully restored Victorian scenery in the UK
• Film and displays on the history of Normansfield and Dr Langdon Down

Permanent exhibitions

• Normansfield and Dr John Langdon Down – Portraits, maps, photographs and a timeline on the Langdon Down family and the development of Normansfield from 1868, with a short film on its history.
• James Henry Pullen and Earlswood Asylum – Ships, paintings and other objects made by Pullen, the Genius of Earlswood Asylum, including a model of the Great Eastern.
• Normansfield Theatre – The original Victorian theatre with painted scenery, fixtures and fittings, with displays on its restoration and the Genesta amateur dramatics group.

Operated by

Down's Syndrome Association

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre says there is full access throughout the building, with ramps and lifts. The museum website describes access to most areas and has a page on its hearing loop system. Visitors may walk onto the theatre stage, which has steep steps.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Langdon Park is off Kingston Road, opposite Wick Road. The main entrance is the big red door on the left at the end of the gravel path.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The centre and Normansfield Theatre are offered for events, film and television production and photoshoots. Enquiries go to the centre manager.

Plan your visit