Dimbola Museum & Galleries
Dimbola Museum & Galleries
Dimbola Museum & Galleries
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Former home and workplace of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Visit for: - Year round exhibits celebrating Julia's life and work - Vintage cameras - Programme of changing exhibitions - Victorian dressing-up room - Isle of Wight Festival displays - FREE entry to the award-winning tea room and gift shop Lively programme of talks and events, check website for further information. Coach parties and large groups welcome, please book in advance. Group and tour rates available.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
266 reviews
Excellent
131
Very good
94
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
15
S B
Bangor, UK13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Stumbled across this gem..hardly mentioned in the guide books
We came to ‘do’ Osborne but the IOW festival exhibition at Dimbola was the absolute highlight of our visit to the Island - relived many happy musical memories and a great dog friendly tea shop too!
We came to ‘do’ Osborne but the IOW festival exhibition at Dimbola was the absolute highlight of our visit to the Island - relived many happy musical memories and a great dog friendly tea shop too!
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
A fascinating collection of photography in a beautiful house. We loved the connections shown and learning about early photographic processes. Staff were accommodating, even though they were struggling with the till not working. It was a rainy day and one gentleman helped me to roll my posters and wrap them so they wouldn't get wet outside. The tea and cakes in the cafe were good. A gem for artistic folk and we loved its unique charm and character.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kit S
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Small but very informative Museum an absolute must visit for anyone that has ever attended an Isle of Wight festival old or new, we didn't eat there but it looked very inviting with a two piece band playing outside.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candice M
Swanley, UK539 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Interesting museum if you have an interest in photography. The Festival exhibition was great fun, the posters really took me back. Worth a visit.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
promisetelltruth
Portsmouth9 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Very interesting photographic history - really amazing capture of those times. But we weren’t expecting to additional equally fabulous Isle Of Wight Festival exhibition - terrific stuff. Well worth the small fee - excellent value for money for young people upwards.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane J
2 contributions
Apr 2023
Although I had never heard of Victorian photographer Julia Cameron, her work is breathtaking in its ability to create atmosphere and capture personality. Even if you are not a photography aficionado, you will love seeing contemporary photos of her noteworthy peers as well as the house itself and a bit about the history of photography. There is also a permanent exhibit showcasing the Isle of Wight Festival as well as temporary exhibits. The house, itself, is interesting to see as are the stories of her relationship with contemporary bohemian artists and writers. We were lucky to visit while a stained glass artist was working on a project to be placed over the door. Don’t miss the statue of Jimi Hendrix outside of the house.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy Bayford
Leicester, UK8 contributions
Feb 2022
Fabulous museum which I have been visiting for since childhood and which was partly responsible for me taking up a career in photography. Certainly worth a visit for anyone who is interested in Victorian Era, is a lover of sweeping views, just look out of the top floor windows and marvel at the bleak Beaty of the downs, or wants to peruse the various ever changing exhibitions
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain B
43 contributions
Sep 2022
Went there primarily to see IOW festival exhibition photos but there was lot of other interesting photo exhibits as well. Well worth a visit.
Written 15 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen O
Ryde, UK45 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Gallery & mini museum showing the start of modern portrait photography. Some stunning almost otherworldly pictures.
Guest exhibition of Marilyn Staffords work showing remarkable contrast between social high life and fairly grinding poverty/war.
Also a small permanent exhibition of I W pop festival which is fairly quirky.
Definitely worth a visit
Guest exhibition of Marilyn Staffords work showing remarkable contrast between social high life and fairly grinding poverty/war.
Also a small permanent exhibition of I W pop festival which is fairly quirky.
Definitely worth a visit
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Four 22
London, UK32 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Great little museum which is a mix of photography, history, biography, architecture, exhibition space, shop. You only need a couple of hours to get round but as a small independent museum, it is worth supporting.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it suitable for people for wheelchair access?
John S
Newbury, UK158 contributions
I think the previous answer (above) gives the best advice.
Louise T
Salisbury, UK121 contributions
Hi how long should I give myself to explore please?
RoddymacInnes
Denver, CO19 contributions
If you fall into the magic of Dimbola Lodge and Julia Margaret Cameron's work and life, give yourself a few hours at the Lodge. I also spent a few hours walking around Freshwater Bay, and on the beautiful beach. I then took a lovely path to Freshwater. Then caught a bus back to the ferry and up to London by train. What a fabulous day.
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Claim your listingDIMBOLA MUSEUM & GALLERIES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dimbola Museum & Galleries
- Dimbola Museum & Galleries is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 - 15:00
- Tue - Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- Hotels near Dimbola Museum & Galleries:
- (0.02 mi) 4 bedroom accommodation in Freshwater Bay
- (0.03 mi) Blenheim House an Immaculate sea side home for 12 guests plus swimming pool
- (0.04 mi) St Catherine's Cottage, Freshwater Bay: Balcony and sea views
- (0.10 mi) The Really Green Holiday Company
- (0.22 mi) The Bay Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Dimbola Museum & Galleries:
- (0.00 mi) Dimbola Tea Room
- (0.00 mi) Julia's Tea room
- (0.13 mi) The Piano Cafe
- (0.21 mi) Dandelion Cafe
- (0.84 mi) The Freshwater Coffee House