The Red House, Aldeburgh

The Red House, Aldeburgh Former home of Benjamin Britten, his musical collections in The Archive and their beautiful garden.

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. He was born in 1913 and raised in Lowestoft, and Suffolk was the backdrop for nearly his entire life. At The Red House in Aldeburgh he lived with Peter Pears, his muse

and life partner, for nearly two decades until his death in 1976. As well as exploring Britten’s music, visitors to The Red House can find out more about his and Pears’ lives together. The House, with its classic 1950s/60s interiors, is a mix of formal and cosy, with an eclectic range of books, art, and furniture. The large gardens are for wandering around and enjoying the peace and quiet of this corner of Suffolk.

On this day 64 years ago, Britten’s War Requiem premiered at Coventry Cathedral, a powerful tribute to those who lost th...
30/05/2026

On this day 64 years ago, Britten’s War Requiem premiered at Coventry Cathedral, a powerful tribute to those who lost their lives in both the First and Second World Wars.

Due to the scale of the work, the performance often required multiple conductors. The premiere featured the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Coventry Festival Chorus, conducted by Meredith Davies, alongside the Melos Ensemble conducted by Britten himself.

Britten chose soloists to represent the nations involved in the conflict: British tenor Peter Pears, German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Heather Harper, who stepped in at short notice when the Soviet Minister for Culture disallowed Galina Vishnevskaya to perform.

We wish composer Thea Musgrave a very happy birthday, remembering that her opera 'The Voice of Ariadne' featuring Thomas...
27/05/2026

We wish composer Thea Musgrave a very happy birthday, remembering that her opera 'The Voice of Ariadne' featuring Thomas Allen and Jill Gomez was premiered at the 1974 Aldeburgh Festival.

📸Nigel Luckhurst, © Britten Pears Arts.

Looking for May half-term plans for the family?Pick up one of our activity bags, packed with fun activities for children...
27/05/2026

Looking for May half-term plans for the family?

Pick up one of our activity bags, packed with fun activities for children to enjoy as they discover the house and gardens.

As you explore the house, don’t miss our sensory trays – full of fascinating objects that bring our founders’ stories to life.

Got a little longer? Join our Mini Music Makers sessions for 0–5 year olds on Friday mornings, where little ones can learn through play, music and exploration.

We’re open Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am – 4.30pm – we can't wait to welcome you.

Find out more via the link, https://bit.ly/4dzg5HH

26/05/2026

Join one of our Wednesday Art Tours!

Many of our visitors are surprised by the amount of art displayed throughout the house and library, as well as the collection preserved in the Archive.

Our Art Tours explore not only the works collected by our founders, but also the friendships and creative connections they shared with artists.

We still have a few spaces available on tours taking place over the next few weeks, book now via the link in our bio.

Today we’re celebrating local history and the joy of everyday moments. Our Archive is full of treasures, from Britten’s ...
23/05/2026

Today we’re celebrating local history and the joy of everyday moments. Our Archive is full of treasures, from Britten’s world‑famous concerts to receipts from Aldeburgh High Street.

Among them are records of regular trips to the local greengrocer and butchers, and even a receipt where a bottle of Pimm’s cost just £2.09!

These personal details offer a wonderful glimpse into their lives as a couple, helping us preserve their home and share these everyday stories with our visitors.

“I enjoy working in the studio enormously.”The Composition Studio sits just steps from the house. It’s where Britten wro...
21/05/2026

“I enjoy working in the studio enormously.”

The Composition Studio sits just steps from the house. It’s where Britten wrote some of his best known works, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and War Requiem.

The building dates back to the 1650s, when it was likely a hayloft on the dairy farm. When Britten planned to convert it into a studio, he consulted architect HT Cadbury-Brown. The design considered acoustics, soundproofing and insulation to create a quiet, private workspace.

A large south facing window looks out over orchards and fields, an inspiring setting for composing.

📸© Philip Vile

18/05/2026

3 reasons to visit The Red House!

1. Just moments from Aldeburgh seafront, we’re the perfect place to discover something new and step into living history.

2. Once home to composer Benjamin Britten and his partner, Peter Pears, this 17th-century farmhouse offers a picture-perfect glimpse into the life they shared.

3. Our founders were avid collectors, bringing together everything from rare books and beautiful artworks to letters and receipts, and our team loves to share their fascinating stories.

Visit us this season, open Thursday to Sunday, 10:30am-4:30pm.

We’ve recently received the wonderful gift of two programmes for our Archive!Dating back to Britten’s works at Glyndebou...
16/05/2026

We’ve recently received the wonderful gift of two programmes for our Archive!

Dating back to Britten’s works at Glyndebourne, these were generously donated by Marion Weir, who worked there as a waitress at the time.

One programme is signed by Britten himself, and the other by the head chef. While our Archive already holds several programmes signed by Britten, this is the first we’ve ever had signed by a chef.

Stories like these are why we love hearing your experiences and preserving living history to share with others.

A special exhibition celebrating those who shaped Britten’s final years and enduring legacy.Included with general admiss...
13/05/2026

A special exhibition celebrating those who shaped Britten’s final years and enduring legacy.

Included with general admission, our latest exhibition in the Kitchen Gallery brings together archival treasures, remarkable stories and bronze busts of individuals close to our founders. Discover the people who cared for Britten in his later years and played a vital role in ensuring his legacy lived on.

Book your visit to us now via the link, https://bit.ly/4d37jmq.

We're delighted to share that our Head of Archive and Library, Dr Christopher Hilton, will be joining Great St Mary's Ch...
10/05/2026

We're delighted to share that our Head of Archive and Library, Dr Christopher Hilton, will be joining Great St Mary's Church in Cambridge on Saturday 16 May to give a talk exploring the shared lives and lasting legacy of Britten and Pears.

Followed by a wine reception and Q&A, this talk is the perfect opportunity to learn more about founders and discover something new.

Tickets available via the link, https://bit.ly/4nioLH9

Happy 100th birthday to David Attenborough!Attenborough came to the 1971 Aldeburgh Festival and gave a lecture on The Mu...
08/05/2026

Happy 100th birthday to David Attenborough!

Attenborough came to the 1971 Aldeburgh Festival and gave a lecture on The Music of Bali to an audience that included Britten and Pears in the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

He later returned in 2011 to talk about artist and long-term friend John Craxton and visited The Red House whilst he was in Aldeburgh.

Pears and Attenborough both shared a love for Craxton's work and we now hold a large number of Craxton pieces in our collection, some on display in the House.

Address

The Red House, Golf Lane
Aldeburgh
IP155PZ

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441728451700

Website

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