The Munnings Art Museum

Castle House dates back to the late 15th century. It was extended around 1600 and again in the early 19th century when the drawing room was added. The house was purchased by Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) in 1919 for £1,800. Munnings wrote at the time: 'I had indeed found my dream house, river and all ...'. The house has been open as a museum since 1961.

The walls of Castle House are sumptuously adorned with both well-known pictures by Sir Alfred Munnings and lesser seen sketches and studies taken from the artist’s studio when he died in 1959. Thickly painted impressionistic scenes of ponies standing still against the bright East Anglian sunshine jostle for position with smoothly painted racing thoroughbreds, jockeys a-blaze in brightly coloured silks. Delicate pencil portraits of Indian soldiers returning, wearily, from the Western Front pull at the soul in stark contrast to the amusing cartoons which give rise to a small chuckle.

Outside In the garden stands Munnings’s former Studio which houses his painting materials and props. It is a prefabricated building made by Boulton & Paul of Norwich, who were one of the first manufacturers of this type of building.

Timings & Tours

Monday 15 September:

1100 - 1530

Location & directions

Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ

Directions:

You can reach the museum by exiting the A12 at Junction 30. Then take the B1029 into the village of Dedham. Turn left at the T junction in the village centre (Royal Square) and stay on Brook Street merging into Crown Street for 1 mile. The museum is painted bright yellow and is on the left hand side as Crown Street turns into Castle Hill. Turn left as you reach the museum, into East Lane, for the main car park. The 'What Three Words' location is ///typed.jammy.chicken

Contact on day:

Reception

Telephone number:

+441206322127

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

All ground floor rooms are accessible. There is a step up into the Courtyard gallery and a ramp can be provided. Both first floor rooms are only accessible via the main staircase. A light-weight wheel chair is available upon prior request. The grounds are accessible directly from the car park at ground level though there uneven and gravelled paths and grassed surfaces.

Additional information

This year the Heritage Open Days event coincides with a 'Painting Day' in the museum grounds organised by the Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle.

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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