Kettle's Yard is one of the most unusual art spaces in Britain. Jim Ede, a former curator at the Tate, turned four small cottages near the Church of St Peter into a home for the art he loved and opened it to students and visitors, then gave it to the University of Cambridge. The result is a house rather than a museum: paintings and sculptures by artists such as Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska sit beside chairs, books, stones and shells, arranged with a careful eye for light and form. A modern gallery wing next door hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art, and these are free to visit. The house is small, quiet and personal, and the timed-entry system keeps the rooms calm. Visitors often say it feels like being a guest, which is exactly what Ede intended. It makes a good counterpoint to the grandeur of the colleges and the large collections of the Fitzwilliam.
Book the house in advance. House entry is by timed ticket, tickets are sold online and on a first-come basis at the door, and you should arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your slot because late arrivals may not be admitted. House and exhibition tickets are separate, so reserve each if you want both. Entry to the house is free for visitors aged 25 and under, University of Cambridge students and some other groups, while the temporary exhibitions in the gallery are free for everyone.
Plan for the house rules. Bags are not permitted inside the house, and food and drink are not allowed in the house or the galleries, so leave bags at your hotel or travel light. The house is not fully wheelchair accessible, though the ground-floor galleries are, so check the access details before you travel. Guided house tours run on selected Saturdays at 11am, and they are a rewarding way to hear Ede's story, so check the dates if you can fit one in.
Check the calendar before you go. Kettle's Yard is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm, with the last house entry at 4.15pm, and it is closed on Mondays and from 24 to 28 December and on 1 January. Combine it with the Fitzwilliam for an art-focused day, or with a walk up to Castle Hill for views over the city. It sits on the north side of the centre, a short stroll from the Market Square and the river, so it also slots between a morning of colleges and an afternoon punt.
What to expect
The experience
A timed visit to a small house of art and objects, plus a free modern gallery with changing exhibitions.
Best time
A weekday afternoon slot, when the house is quiet and daylight still reaches the rooms.
How long
About an hour for the house and exhibitions, longer if you take a guided tour or stop at the cafe.
Tips
Book a house slot, arrive early, leave bags outside and remember it is closed on Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, design fans and anyone who prefers intimate spaces to big museums.
- Families
- Free entry for under-25s makes it easy, but the house is quiet and unsuitable for noisy play.
- Couples
- A calm timed visit followed by a walk to the river.
- Pair with
- The Fitzwilliam Museum or a stroll up Castle Hill.
- Time needed
- Allow ninety minutes including the gallery.
Good questions
Do I need to book for Kettle's Yard?+
House visits use timed tickets, which you can book online or buy in person on a first-come basis. Exhibition tickets are separate and can be booked in advance or on the day.
Is Kettle's Yard free?+
The temporary exhibitions are free to visit. The house has an admission charge, with free entry for visitors aged 25 and under and University of Cambridge students.
When is it closed?+
It is closed on Mondays, from 24 to 28 December and on 1 January. Otherwise it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Can I take a bag into the house?+
No, bags are not permitted in the house, and food and drink are not allowed in the house or the galleries. Leave them with your hotel and travel light.
Is it accessible?+
The ground-floor galleries are wheelchair accessible, but the house and cafe are not fully accessible. Contact the venue before your visit to plan.
