Kettle's Yard

What to expect from Kettle’s Yard

There are curated moments to think in every nook and cranny of this unusual house. Found objects are placed next to beautiful sculptures, chairs invite you to sit and contemplate a painting or work of art, and the peace and quiet makes it hard to believe that you are in the heart of bustling Cambridge.

From 1957 to 1963, Kettle’s Yard was the home of Helen and Jim Ede, where they lived together and curated a house full of art and culture. Jim would host an open house for students and he would loan out his paintings too. He described it:-

“…a living place where works of art could be enjoyed… where young people could be at home unhampered by the greater austerity of the museum or public art gallery.”

The house and its contents were given to Cambridge University in 1966, and before the Ede’s left, they extended the house and created an exhibition gallery.

Paintings are hung at all heights, when you sit down the view changes and a picture you had barely noticed becomes the focus of the scene. The landing and library of the new extension feel like an artist’s studio. There are only a few small narrow windows looking out onto the Cambridge streets, but all the upper rooms are flooded with light from the ceiling. The balcony looks down onto the lower level of the ground floor extension, and when there is a concert the sound of the Steinway piano will float up to the gallery above. 

Kettle’s Yard is a living space, with new additions to the building and exhibitions of artists work on rotation in the gallery. The direction left by the Ede’s when they handed over the house was that there should be “at least three really good concerts every year”. Over twenty are held each year and in June 2025 it will become a place where music is composed. 

The workshop studio is in the new part of the building, above the exhibition space which hosts a number of different artists every year. A light and quiet room, it is the perfect place to reflect on your compositions and draw on the inspiration you have found in the house next door. 

Each person who visits this space will have their own unique experience and be inspired to create. Kettle’s Yard is located a short walk from various Cambridge Colleges, the River Cam, punts, book shops, tiny churches, small and grand chapels, Evensong services...years of history, study, music, and creativity right on your doorstep. 

You can find out more about Kettle’s Yard here and take a virtual tour here