Dimbola Museum & Galleries
Dimbola Museum & Galleries
4
Art GalleriesHistoric SitesHistory Museums
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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  • Jane J
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not to Miss
    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.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 22, 2023
  • promisetelltruth
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Delightful gallery with unexpected bonus
    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.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 5, 2023
  • Sarah M
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A gem for art and photography enthusiasts
    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.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles267 reviews
Excellent
132
Very good
94
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
15

David T
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
From mid September to year end I enjoyed an excellent photographic exhibition at Dimbola Gallery. A wonderful environment and a most excellent team ensured everything would be a great success.
Written March 12, 2024
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.

S B
Bangor, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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!
Written August 31, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 August 29, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 August 20, 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, UK540 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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 August 16, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 July 5, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 April 23, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 November 14, 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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 September 15, 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
Blandford Forum, UK57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
Written September 3, 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.

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Dimbola Museum & Galleries - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dimbola Museum & Galleries

Dimbola Museum & Galleries is open:
  • Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM