Celebrating 100 Years of Leighton House: In Conversation with Senior Curator Daniel Robbins

Few neighbourhoods in London rival Kensington when it comes to art, history and culture, and tucked away just a pleasant stroll from The Milestone Hotel & Residences is one of its greatest treasures. This year, Leighton House celebrates an extraordinary milestone of its own, marking 100 years as a public museum.

Once the remarkable home and studio of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, the museum offers visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the creative world of one of Britain's most celebrated artists. From the dazzling Arab Hall to its peaceful garden and ever-evolving programme of exhibitions, Leighton House continues to captivate visitors a century after opening its doors to the public.

To celebrate this special anniversary, we sat down with Daniel Robbins, Senior Curator of Leighton House and Sambourne House, whose work has helped shape the museum we see today. Having led the award-winning restoration of Leighton House's historic interiors and the acclaimed Hidden Gem to National Treasure redevelopment, Daniel has spent much of his career preserving and sharing the stories behind one of London's most extraordinary cultural landmarks.

We spoke to Daniel about the museum's remarkable history, the significance of its centenary, and why Leighton House remains an essential stop for anyone exploring Kensington.

Inside Leighton House: A Curator's Perspective

Q. Leighton House Museum celebrates its centenary this year. What does reaching 100 years as a public museum mean to the team?

Celebrating 100 Years of Leighton House since it became a public museum under the governance of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has been both a privilege and a joy for the entire team. Some of my colleagues have only joined recently whereas others, like me, have been around long enough to witness the museum’s extraordinary, transformative journey. We have come together to celebrate, through a wonderful programme that includes exhibitions, events, community outreach and much more – so everyone can get involved. Including our friends from The Milestone Hotel!

Q. For someone visiting for the first time, what makes Leighton House unlike anywhere else in London? A hidden gem...

Leighton House presents an extraordinary collection of fine art, curated throughout a suite of richly decorated interiors. The house has been restored to reflect Leighton’s aesthetic vision and when visitors explore the historic rooms, they immerse themselves into the world of Frederic Leighton, the celebrated Victorian artist who was one of the most eminent figures of his age, yet a very private individual. The museum offers temporary exhibitions, a programme of events for adults and families and free displays. I personally recommend a quiet moment in our large garden, to enjoy the perfect view of the intricate architecture of the house - and it’s also free to access.

Q. The Arab Hall is one of London's most breathtaking interiors and has captivated visitors for generations. What makes this extraordinary space so special, and is there a detail or story that visitors often miss?

Leighton started to design and build the Arab Hall in the 1870s, following multiple travels to Palermo, Granada, Istanbul, Cairo and Damascus. Leighton referred to the space as ‘my Arab Hall’ and claimed, ‘it was built for the sake of something beautiful to look at once in a while’. I firmly believe that the beauty and transcendental experience of the space remain relevant today and seeing the reaction of visitors entering the room for the first time is always moving. There are so many fascinating stories and interesting facts about the Arab Hall that I can’t possibly choose one – I encourage the readers to search our website or follow us on social media and pick their favourites!

Q. Kensington is home to some of London's most celebrated cultural landmarks. How does Leighton House contribute to the neighbourhood's rich artistic and historic character?

Leighton House is a local museum and we are proud to serve our local community, including families, schools and artists. We offer free walking tours around the other neighbouring artists houses – now private residences – which form part of the so-called Holland Park Circle, created in the late nineteenth century as many contemporaries of Leighton came to live and work in the area. Sambourne House is our sister museum; located within walking distance, both from Leighton House and The Milestone Hotel, it’s the family home of illustrator and photographer Linley Sambourne (1840 – 1910). A time-capsule featuring William Morris wallpapers (ceilings included), ceramics, paintings, drawings…and Linley’s own ‘detective camera’ on display in his study.

Q. The Milestone Hotel & Residences has welcomed guests to Kensington for generations, just as Leighton House has welcomed visitors through its doors. How important are partnerships between local cultural institutions and hotels in helping visitors experience the neighbourhood more deeply?

We work with multiple partners within Kensington in a mutual effort to expand our audiences and highlight the rich local offer, from hospitality, culture to amazing green spaces. Our partnership with The Milestone Hotel has been a joy – from collaborating on fun video projects to devising the delicious Arab Hall cocktail served exclusively in their stylish Stables Bar. We look forward to more projects together!

Q. What can visitors look forward to as part of the centenary celebrations, and are there any events or exhibitions you are particularly excited about?

We are approaching the final phase of the 2-year celebratory programme, which is ending with a bang! The Arab Hall: Past and Present is on until 4 October – a interdisciplinary project that offers an in-depth exploration of this iconic space through contemporary installations, a short film and a free exhibition display. From November 2026 until March 2027, a new exhibition will see over 50 artworks, ranging from oil paintings, pencil sketches and photographs, depicting nineteenth-century artists at work in their studios. Don’t miss a mesmerising artwork by Cezanne and a behind-the-curtain photograph of Leighton himself at work!

Q. For guests staying just moments away at The Milestone Hotel & Residences, why should Leighton House be part of their Kensington itinerary?

The Milestone Hotel & Residences are located within walking distance of both Leighton House and Sambourne House; so a visit can easily fit within the busy schedule of your guests. The hotel interiors are beautifully decorated, and its collection of artworks on display reflects the important role of art in shaping a positive customer experience – a principle that we wholeheartedly agree with!  Both houses have a capacity to surprise and delight visitors, revealing so much about the story of Kensington and its long connection with famous artists.

Planning Your Visit

Leighton House is open Wednesday to Monday, 10am–5.30pm (closed Tuesdays), with last admission at 4.30pm and last entry before 5pm. Standard adult admission is £14, with concessionary rates available for students, seniors and children. hile tickets for Leighton House and Sambourne House can be purchased on arrival at the Welcome Desk, advance booking is recommended. Please note that tickets for special exhibitions and events are typically available online only and should be booked in advance.

Sambourne House is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5.30pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), with last admission at 4.30pm and last entry before 5pm.

Leighton House is fully accessible, with lift access throughout the historic house and new wing, as well as accessible toilet facilities. Due to the historic nature of the building, Sambourne House is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. For the latest admission prices, accessibility information and to book tickets, please visit the Leighton House website.

Our Concierge team at The Milestone Hotel & Residences will be delighted to assist with planning your visit, from ticket information and directions to recommendations for making the most of your time in Kensington.

Raise a Glass to the Arab Hall

In celebration of our neighbour, Leighton House's centenary, discover our exclusive Arab Hall cocktail, created by the talented team at Stables Bar. Inspired by the museum's breathtaking Arab Hall, this limited-edition serve pays tribute to one of Kensington's most extraordinary cultural landmarks.

Whether you're discovering Leighton House for the first time or returning to admire its remarkable interiors once again, there has never been a better time to visit. After exploring the museum's vibrant centenary exhibitions and events, join us back at The Milestone Hotel to toast 100 years of Leighton House with a cocktail inspired by its most iconic space.

Extend the experience with an overnight stay at The Milestone Hotel & Residences. Perfectly positioned opposite Kensington Gardens and just a short stroll from world-renowned museums, elegant boutiques, royal parks and iconic cultural landmarks, our five-star retreat places the very best of Kensington within easy reach. Spend your days exploring one of London's most fascinating neighbourhoods before returning to exceptional comfort and warm, personalised hospitality. Book directly to enjoy our best available rates and exclusive benefits.