The David Parr House

About the museum

David Parr (1854–1927) worked as a decorative painter for the Cambridge firm of F. R. Leach & Sons, which decorated houses and churches designed by some of the best architects of the day. In 1886 he bought 186 Gwydir Street, a modest terraced house, and over the next forty years he transformed it. Using the same skills and patterns he used at work, he painted the walls and ceilings by lamp and candlelight, and he recorded the changes in a notebook that survives.

After his death the house was kept by his wife Mary and then by his granddaughter Elsie Palmer, who moved in at the age of twelve and lived there for more than 85 years. The painted decoration survived largely untouched, and the house remained in the family for over 125 years. It is a rare example of Arts and Crafts craftsmanship in a working-class home.

In 2009 a local historian visited the house and began the work to set up a charitable trust. David Parr House became an independent charity in 2014, and with the help of volunteers, crowdfunding and grants the house was secured and opened to the public in 2019. Today visitors can see the house on small tours, and the neighbouring number 184 serves as a studio space, shop and visitor centre with exhibitions and workshops.

Highlights

• Hand-painted Arts and Crafts interior in an ordinary terraced house
• Small timed visits and guided tours for a maximum of six people
• David Parr's surviving notebook recording how he decorated the house
• Studio Space and shop at 184 Gwydir Street with exhibitions and workshops
• Free Virtual David Parr House tour and Bloomberg Connects digital guide

Permanent exhibition

• The House – The hand-painted rooms of 186 Gwydir Street, decorated by David Parr over four decades and shown on small timed visits and guided tours.

Founded

2019

Operated by

David Parr House CIO (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The house visit costs £15 per person, or £17.50 with an optional donation and Gift Aid. Bookings are non-refundable.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair and step-free access are not possible inside the house, which has small rooms and a steep staircase with a single handrail. Visitors with restricted mobility can see the ground floor and a digital experience in the studio space by arrangement. The studio space and shop are partly wheelchair accessible, with step-free access through the back door, and there is an accessible toilet there. A tour involves standing for about 50 minutes without leaning on the walls, and a small fold-away chair is available. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. One disabled bay is in Gwydir Street Car Park, and a space behind the house can be arranged in advance.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

Because the interior is fragile, children under 12 are not admitted to the house and young people aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Babies cannot join a tour.

Getting there & parking

Gwydir Street can only be entered by car from Mill Road. Bike racks are opposite the house and in the car park. Sat-nav postcode: CB1 2LW.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

The shop and studio space sell cards, books and gifts. There is no café, but there are places to eat on Gwydir Street and Mill Road. A garden is open to visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The light, flexible Studio Space at 184 Gwydir Street can be hired for workshops, meetings, talks and events. It has a projector, screen, Wi-Fi for hirers, a full kitchen, a disabled toilet, a garden and private parking for three vehicles. Out-of-hours tours of the house can be added.

Plan your visit