Dimbola Museum & Galleries

13/06/2026

Our new website is currently under construction. In the meantime, please see our admission prices here.

For all other information, please refer to Google. If you have any questions about an upcoming visit, please don't hesitate to send us a message or email—we'll be happy to help.

12/06/2026

An exhibition on celebrated writer J.B. Priestley's Isle of Wight years is set to open.

12/06/2026

In addition to our J. B. Priestley exhibition, we are also proud to be exhibiting 'A Pictorial History of the IOW Festival 1968-2009', a vibrant collection of festival artwork by local artist Gemma Bell (1979 - 2011).

In 2009 Gem was asked by Solo (organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival) to provide something to decorate their massive 15m x 25m V.I.P backstage tent. She set herself the challenge of creating a pictorial history of every major Isle of Wight Festival from 1968 to 2009 and the results are spectacular.

Although Gem's life was tragically cut short in 2011, her work remains as powerful and relevant as ever.

The exhibition will be on display in the Studio Gallery from now until the end of August.

12/06/2026

11/06/2026

Walking, Talking, Reading Priestley's Island
Sat 4th July
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

We are pleased to invite you on a 5 mile downland walk with brief stops to read extracts from ‘Delight’, first published 1949.
The walk coincides with our exhibition JB Priestley - The Isle of Wight Years and ends in Hulverstone for afternoon tea.

Suggested donation £10.00.

Booking link in comments.

11/06/2026

Remembering Julia Margaret Cameron (pictured) one of the most important and innovative photographers of the 19th century, who was born on this day, June the 11th, in 1815.

Cameron gave us some amazing images of a host of famous individuals - such as this image of Charles Darwin.

The image of Cameron Shared here was taken by Henry Herschel Hay Cameron, Julia's son.

Shared by Taking photographs is not a crime
Images: public domain.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Victorian photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron, was born on this day in 1815.

She chose this portrait as her favourite from all her works.

Having taken up photography at the age of forty-eight, Cameron became a pioneer of photography in the Victorian age. Her works were exclusively portraits and staged tableaux, and, over a 12-year period, she took over 1200 photographs. These included striking portraits of the scientist Sir John Herschel and poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

The subject of this particular photograph is Julia Jackson, Cameron’s niece and god-daughter. Jackson was the mother of writer Virginia Woolf and painter Vanessa Bell. She was photographed by Cameron almost fifty times, and was a model for many leading artists, including Edward Burne-Jones.

📸 My Favourite Picture of all My Works, 1867, Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879). Photograph, 29.2 x 24.3 cm. WA.OA.1352

11/06/2026

Happy birthday to Julia Margaret Cameron, born in 1815, one of photography’s great pioneers!

Today, we’re celebrating her incredible portraits, creative approach to photography, and the lasting impact she’s had on artists and photographers over the years.

To mark the occasion, we’re sharing The Kiss of Peace (1869), a beautiful example of Mrs Cameron’s artistic vision and her ability to create photographs that are both intimate and timeless.

10/06/2026

Step into the world of J. B. Priestley and discover the story behind one of Britain’s most influential literary voices.

Our new exhibition J. B. Priestley: The Isle of Wight Years explores the writer’s life, work and connection to the Island, revealing the many facets of a remarkable career beyond An Inspector Calls.

This fascinating exhibition of history, literature and cultural heritage opens on 13th June and runs until 13th September.