Munnings Art Museum

About the museum

The museum is housed in Castle House at Dedham, the Grade II listed home of the painter Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959), who bought the house and the surrounding fields in 1919 and lived here until his death. After his death his widow, Violet Munnings, was the driving force behind turning the house into a museum, which opened in 1961. It is run by the Castle House Trust, a registered charity.

The museum shows what it describes as the only permanent retrospective of Munnings’s paintings. About 150 works from the collection rotate through the galleries, alongside studio sketches and studies that were still in the house when he died, and his artist’s studio can be visited. Munnings is best known for his paintings of horses, rural life and the Suffolk and Essex countryside.

Renovation has created additional gallery spaces, and a restored Garden Room was opened by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in February 2026. The museum also runs temporary exhibitions, events and workshops, and has a tea room in the garden.

Highlights

• About 150 paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings in rotating displays
• The artist’s former home, Castle House, and his studio
• Studio sketches and studies left at the time of his death
• Tea room and garden overlooking grazing fields in the Dedham Vale
• Free admission for visitors aged 25 and under

Permanent exhibitions

• Permanent retrospective of Sir Alfred Munnings – About 150 paintings from the museum’s collection in rotating displays, together with studio sketches and studies from the artist’s home.
• Castle House and the artist’s studio – The painter’s former home and studio, where the museum shows how he lived and worked.

Founded

1961

Operated by

Castle House Trust

Admission & discounts

The adult price is £12, or £13.20 with Gift Aid. National Art Pass holders pay £6 and members of the Museums Association are admitted free. Tickets do not need to be booked in advance. Access to the Tea Room and garden is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum and studio can be entered at ground level and all ground-floor rooms are accessible; the Courtyard gallery has one step up, for which a ramp is provided. The two first-floor rooms are reached only by the main staircase. An accessible toilet is at the rear of the house near the Tea Room. A lightweight wheelchair is available on request. Disabled parking is near the front entrance and in the main car park; a Blue Badge is not required but the museum asks visitors to phone ahead to reserve a space. Paths in the grounds are uneven and gravelled and some areas are grass.

Kids & families

Visitors aged 25 and under are admitted free. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. The museum runs events and creative workshops, listed on its events page.

Getting there & parking

Leave the A12 at Junction 30 and take the B1029 into Dedham; at the T-junction in Royal Square turn left and follow Brook Street, which becomes Crown Street, for about 1 mile. The museum is on the left, painted bright yellow.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Tea Room in the museum garden serves light refreshments and has outdoor seating; groups of more than 10 should book. The shop sells books, cards, prints, gifts and homeware.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit