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The Red House, Aldeburgh

Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears' home in Aldeburgh offers a charming snapshot into the couple's life. The farmhouse, nestled in a beautiful five-acre garden, is home to their collections and archive, alongside a gallery space, museum shop and café.

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.

Visitors can explore Britten and Pears' house, with its classic 1950s/60s interiors with a mix of formal and cosy and an eclectic range of books, art, and furniture. The large garden reflects their tastes in flowers and plants are for wandering around and enjoying the peace and quiet of this beautiful corner of Suffolk.

The Red House archive is home to Britten and Pears’ music manuscripts, papers, rare books and art collection. It is open by appointment for anyone to visit and is the most complete composer archive in the world. As well as the manuscript scores of almost all Britten’s works – from his earliest childhood right up to his death – it contains working papers, letters, costume designs, set designs and set models, and an extensive collection of programmes.

There are two wonderful exhibitions to enjoy in 2024. 'The Composers Place: Britten, the Festival and his Suffolk Home' and 'Pears and Colour' which is a group exhibition featuring pieces from the Britten Pears Arts Collection.

Also onsite is a small café offering a place to pause, and the museum shop that includes a selection of products inspired by Britten and Pears along with beauty and home fragrance products, a gardening range, and children's toys with a nature theme.

There is level access across the site and accessible toilets and Blue Badge parking available. The Composition studio and upper rooms of the house are accessed by stairs only. Illustrative films are available upon request.

Admission includes entry to the house, library, composition studio, gallery, Archive & garden. We recommend you allocate 1-2hrs to go around the site. Guided tours are available on Wednesdays at 11am From 3 April – 30 October. (Booking is essential).

Why not enjoy The Red House a little longer by booking a stay at one of their holiday properties. To find out more visit: https://brittenpearsarts.org/stay

Attraction name:

The Red House, Aldeburgh

Price:

Price: Adults: £11, Under 16s: free, Wheelchair user: £5.50, NHS worker: £5.50, Carers: free, Art Fund: £5.50, Museums Association Members: free

Contact:

Email: info@brittenpearsarts.org, phone: 01728 687110

Address:

The Red House, Golf Lane, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5PZ

Opening Hours:

28 March – 03 November. Thursday to Sundays, 10.30am-4.30pm

How to get here:

Directions to The Red House

Website:

brittenpearsarts.org/visit-us/the-red-house