The Red House, Aldeburgh

The Red House, Aldeburgh Former home of Benjamin Britten, his musical collections in The Archive and their beautiful garden.

Benjamin Britten was one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. He wrote a vast amount of incredible music and wanted everyone to enjoy it – professional and amateur musicians, music enthusiasts, children and families. He was born in 1913 and raised in Lowestoft, and Suffolk was the backdrop for nearly his entire life. At The Red House in Aldeburgh he lived with Peter Pears, his muse and life partner, for nearly two decades until his death in 1976. As well as exploring Britten’s music, visitors to The Red House can find out more about his and Pears’ lives together. The House, with its classic 1950s/60s interiors, is a mix of formal and cosy, with an eclectic range of books, art, and furniture. The large gardens are for wandering around and enjoying the peace and quiet of this corner of Suffolk.

The Loveliest House in the World?We're delighted to be opening the doors of 9 Church Walk for Heritage Open Days this Se...
10/09/2026

The Loveliest House in the World?

We're delighted to be opening the doors of 9 Church Walk for Heritage Open Days this September.

Famous conductor, festival organiser and dedicated teacher Imogen Holst called this tiny yet ultra-efficient bungalow home during her years in Aldeburgh, and was often seen taking her morning walks along the seafront.

This Heritage Open Day, step inside her soundproofed music room, become a diary detective, and build your very own folk instrument in her garden.

Open on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September
Free to explore and take part, but please book in advance here https://bit.ly/4gYsczE

Join us for a celebration of everyday life!Long before it became a home filled with music and art, The Red House was par...
05/09/2026

Join us for a celebration of everyday life!

Long before it became a home filled with music and art, The Red House was part of a 1,000-acre coastal farm that stretched all the way to the sea.

Discover its agricultural roots, from an 18th-century powerhouse to a 1912 Dairy School, through live history talks, a family detective trail, archive displays and hands-on activities.

At 9 Church Walk, specially open for , explore the life of Imogen Holst through her witty diary entries, archive displays and a hands-on folk instrument workshop in the garden.

Our detective trail continues at , so be sure to visit both sites between Thursday 17 and Sunday 20 September.

Find out more about what's on during this year's Heritage Open Days and start planning your visit here https://bit.ly/4iEircw

For curious minds and busy hands! We're excited to introduce our brand-new sensory sessions, designed for our youngest v...
02/09/2026

For curious minds and busy hands!

We're excited to introduce our brand-new sensory sessions, designed for our youngest visitors. Each week, children will explore fascinating objects from The Red House collections through storytelling, creative play and hands-on art activities.

Join us on Wednesday mornings this autumn and bring your discoveries to life.

Find out more and book your space here https://bit.ly/3UtVG10

30/08/2026

Learn something new at our Spiritual Britten exhibition!

From his early years on the Suffolk coast to the renowned compositions that hold spiritual significance, discover the beliefs, experiences and defining moments that shaped Britten and his music.

Open Thursday–Sunday, 10.30am–4.30pm. We look forward to seeing you.

"I hear those voices that will not be drowned"Recognised for its striking position on Aldeburgh seafront, The Scallop by...
27/08/2026

"I hear those voices that will not be drowned"

Recognised for its striking position on Aldeburgh seafront, The Scallop by local artist Maggi Hambling was created as a tribute to our founder, Benjamin Britten and his acclaimed opera Peter Grimes.

The sea and Suffolk's coastline were a constant source of inspiration for many of Britten's works, and the sculpture stands along the route of the daily walks he took between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.

24/08/2026

Meet Amanda and discover her favourite painting at The Red House!

The Drawing Room is home to an eclectic mix of artwork collected by our founders, but one wall in particular stands out. It’s dedicated to John Craske and his intricate thread paintings, inspired by his life and work as a fisherman.

Take a closer look and you’ll discover incredible detail woven throughout each of his pieces.

We are nestled just off the Aldeburgh coastline, where Britten enjoyed morning walks along the seafront and early-mornin...
20/08/2026

We are nestled just off the Aldeburgh coastline, where Britten enjoyed morning walks along the seafront and early-morning North Sea swims. The flat shingle paths and coastal marshes provided space for creative thought, inspiring his life and work.

Featured here is the 1981 Aldeburgh Festival programme cover, Sunshine and Storm, by English painter Joseph Southall, beautifully capturing the atmosphere of the British seaside.

Peaceful corners of The Red House gardens🍃Take a stroll through the winding paths, wander among the flowers and enjoy a ...
17/08/2026

Peaceful corners of The Red House gardens🍃

Take a stroll through the winding paths, wander among the flowers and enjoy a moment of calm. Surrounded by nature, it's easy to see why Britten and Pears called this place home.

Today, we celebrate what would have been Diana Cu***ng's 97th birthday. A remarkable artist, Cu***ng was known for her d...
15/08/2026

Today, we celebrate what would have been Diana Cu***ng's 97th birthday. A remarkable artist, Cu***ng was known for her distinctive, imaginative style and often witty works.

In 1954, Peter Pears purchased The Footballers, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the artist and Britten and Pears.

Diana Cu***ng's work continues to inspire artists today. Several of her pieces feature in our current exhibition, Love, Didi, where artists Ada Bond and DaddyBears present contemporary responses to the artworks that influenced them.

📸: The Footballers (1953)
***ng

Aldeburgh Carnival is back this weekend, bringing country and western celebrations to our beautifully historic seaside t...
13/08/2026

Aldeburgh Carnival is back this weekend, bringing country and western celebrations to our beautifully historic seaside town.

If you're staying in Aldeburgh, why not pop up the road and visit us?

Discover something new and explore our tranquil corner of Suffolk.

We're open Thursday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and can't wait to welcome you.

Address

The Red House, Golf Lane
Aldeburgh
IP155PZ

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441728451700

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