Dorich House
What Visitors Say
An amazing hidden gem in Kingston/Richmond. We happened to find this place on google map and went there on a weekday, just in time to catch the guided tour (£5 pp, we paid on spot but perhaps booking in advance would be safer) at 11am. The tour was magnificent and so was the house and the artefacts. Honestly we didn’t know anything about Dora Gordine before this but the guide gave a very informative introduction to virtually every aspect about the sculptor and her partner as well as the house itself. Even the toilet is worth a peep if not a visit! There are more visitors after 12nn and so early entry at 11am (with or without the tour) recommended. We easily spent 2-3 hours there. And yes, there is free onsite parking which can accommodate about 15 cars I think. There’s also a small cafe (which was actually one of the studios) that serves hot drinks and simple pastry. The museum staff are friendly and helpful.
Had the most wonderful experience visiting Dorich House. Had been on my cultural agenda for a while and finally happened to be in the area. Started by off with a cafetière in the cafe where there’s a very handy timeline, alongside a collection of books to browse through. Listened to the audio guide throughout my self-guided tour of the studios upstairs, and the private house/roof terrace above. It’s a truly unexpected place perfectly balanced between a story of the artist, the house and the attempts to turn it into a museum. Worth a detour from Richmond Park, especially since the view from the top is magnifique as well!
Dorich House is the former studio home of the sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband the Hon. Richard Hare. Fascinating house. Built with light airy art studios. Alison was a great and knowledgeable guide, telling us all about the history. You need to book tickets which currently cost £5. There is a free car park and small cafe inside. We went around the house with a party of about 10 people.
I absolutely loved this little museum. A fascinating place, wonderful art and architecture. Also a brilliant presentation of the story of Dora and Richard and the creative home they built together. Also a small cafe and bookshop; we had tea and cake whilst browsing some wonderful books. Ring the doorbell and enter the 1930's... Parking available.
We went today for the first time- we live in Wimbledon but had never heard of this house, just passed it when driving and thought we'd have a look. I feel bad because I don't remember the name of the front of house employee today (nov 1, 2025) but she was just so kind and helpful and we liked her very much. The cafe was nice and we absolutely loved the house, incredible architecture and we were very touched by Dora and Richard's story and the beautiful sculptures and drawings. The displays are extremely thoughtful and this is clearly the house of two people who loved art and history- so many references, symbols, and I spotted a curtain design by Duncan Grant which is just incredible. All in all would recommend visiting this gem. Thank you again to our host for her kindness. We'll be booking a tour soon.
Highlights
Sculpture Studios & Galleries
Shows Gordine’s working scale—from maquettes and portrait heads to completed bronzes—inside the spaces they were conceived for.Tool marks, plaster studies and successive casts reveal how Gordine built form from quick clay sketches to refined bronze.
Ground and first floors
Russian Art Collection
A compact survey of Russian Imperial and early 20th-century objects reflecting Hare’s scholarship and the couple’s collecting taste.Icons, enamel and decorative wares chart court style, religious craftsmanship and modern tastes in exile.
Dedicated rooms off the studio suite
Architecture of Making
The house itself (c.1935–36) is the key exhibit: modern, light-hungry studios stacked above domestic rooms, with a roof terrace orientated to sky and park.‘Dorich’ fuses the couple’s names (DOr(a)+RICH(ard)) and lives—workflows, storage, and light are built in as design drivers.
Throughout; best read from entrance to roof
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
The name ‘Dorich’ is a portmanteau of Dora (Gordine) and Richard (Hare), reflecting the house’s purpose as a shared home–studio.
Built in 1935–36 to Gordine’s design, the house is Grade II listed as a rare surviving purpose-built sculptor’s studio-home from the interwar period.
Dorich House holds the largest public collection of Dora Gordine’s work, spanning early Paris and Southeast Asian periods through her London portrait commissions.
After Gordine’s death in 1991, the property was acquired and restored by Kingston University, reopening as a museum dedicated to her art and the couple’s Russian collection.
