Pallant House Gallery
BEST FOR
Ages 0-18
ENTRY
from £8.50
SETTING
Indoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
An art gallery in a historic house and modern wing where under-18s get in free and there's a trail to hunt for hidden objects.
This is a proper art gallery, not a hands-on children's museum, but it's set up so families aren't an afterthought. Pick up a family activity backpack or a Ways of Looking bag at the Welcome Desk and your kids have something to do as you go round the historic house and the contemporary wing, spotting objects on the family trail rather than just being dragged past paintings. During school holidays there are also creative workshops led by the gallery's own artist educators, tied to whatever's in the collection or on show.
The pricing is the thing that makes this an easy yes if you've got children. Adults pay £17, which is a proper gallery ticket price, but anyone under 18 gets in completely free, and 18 to 25 year olds pay £8.50. That's not nothing for two adults, but it means a family visit costs the same as one adult ticket plus whatever the grown-ups add.
Allow one to two hours, though the site admits people often linger longer over the bookshop or in the café. It's pram-friendly with lift access to every floor and a spot to leave the pushchair at the Welcome Desk if you'd rather carry a baby round in a sling. The one snag is getting there: the pathways leading up to the gallery are narrow and uneven, so it's a bit of a wrestle if you've got a double buggy or you're navigating a wheelchair on your own.
It's shut on Mondays, open 10 to 5 the rest of the week and 10 to 4 on Sundays and bank holidays, with last entry an hour before closing. Booking online is recommended but not essential, you can walk up and take your chances on availability.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- School-age kids old enough for a trail; under-18s go free
- Last entry
- One hour before closing
- Booking
- Online booking recommended but walk-ups welcome subject to availability
- How long to allow
- One to two hours
- Pushchairs
- Pram-friendly with level access
- Wheelchairs
- Two wheelchairs available to borrow from the Welcome Desk, can be reserved in advance by calling or emailing
- Worth knowing
- Children (under 18s) go free
- Under-18s go free, so it's really just the adult ticket you're paying for
- Lockers are available but won't fit anything the size of a suitcase
- High chairs are on hand in the café for younger children
- Large-print guides are available for every exhibition if anyone needs them
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£17 for an adult, £8.50 for 18 to 25 year olds, and free for anyone under 18. Art Fund members also pay £8.50, and Gallery Friends get in free.
Do we need to book in advance?
Online booking's recommended but walk-ups are welcome if there's space on the day.
Is it suitable for young children?
There's a family trail with hidden objects and Ways of Looking bags to borrow, which help younger children engage with the art rather than just walk past it.
How long should we plan for?
One to two hours covers the main visit, though plenty of people stay longer in the café or bookshop afterwards.
Is there a café?
Pallant Café is on site serving fresh, seasonal food, and you don't need a gallery ticket to use it or the shop.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday and bank holidays 10am to 4pm, closed Mondays. Last entry is an hour before closing.
Can we bring a pushchair?
Yes, it's pram-friendly with level access at the main entrance and lift access to every floor. There's also a space to leave the pushchair at the Welcome Desk.
Is the gallery wheelchair accessible?
Step-free routes and lift access reach all public areas, and two wheelchairs are available to borrow from the Welcome Desk if you call or email ahead. The paths leading up to the gallery itself are narrow and uneven though.
Are there baby changing facilities?
Baby changing and toilets are available on the ground floor, along with an accessible toilet with a level-access shower.
Do you run activities during school holidays?
There are creative workshops led by the gallery's artist educators, inspired by the collection and whatever exhibition is on.
What does gallery membership include?
Free unlimited entry to exhibitions, 10% off in the café and at events, and a Gallery Magazine posted to you twice a year.
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