Sambourne House

Sambourne House is a Victorian residence in Kensington that contains original furniture, decorative objects, and photographs documenting nineteenth-century London life. The building at 18 Stafford Terrace preserves this collection as the family left it.

Linley Sambourne, who became chief cartoonist of Punch Magazine in 1874, lived in this building with his family until 1910. Over those decades, the house became a reflection of Victorian domestic life.

The rooms display Victorian design choices such as Morris wallpapers, stained glass windows, and decorative tiles that follow the Aesthetic Movement style. These design decisions reflect how affluent Londoners of the era furnished their homes based on artistic principles.

Access to the house requires joining a guided tour scheduled on specific weekdays. Visitors should book in advance since spaces are limited and the building sits on a busy street in Kensington.

Sambourne was an avid photographer and several rooms display his collection of photography equipment and specialized cameras used for his illustrations. These devices show how artistic practices in the 19th century connected with emerging technology.

Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Inception: 1868

Address: 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, London W8 7BH

Website: https://rbkc.gov.uk/museums

GPS coordinates: 51.50050,-0.19689

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57