Imogen Holst Room

Also known as Red Cottage, the upstairs of this former hayloft was converted into Britten’s composing studio in 1957 with the help of architect Jim HT ‘Jim’ Cadbury-Brown. The downstairs room is a large space suitable for meetings and events.

Access is via the courtyard next to The Red House with garden views across the rose terrace lawn and orchard.

• Kitchenette with tea / coffee making equipment
• Level access
• SMART TV with connection leads (HDMI & USB-C)
• Option for tables (x5 round) and chairs (30+)
• Art hanging system (Picture rail + wire hooks)
• £15 per hour
• To hire this space, please contact J Ferguson: jferguson@brittenpearsarts.org

Library

Standing to the west of The Red House is the Library designed by the Architect Peter Collymore for Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. A disused barn, the Library was created to provide a home for their vast collection of music and books with the stipulation that there will always be a piano in the Library. The room was used by Britten and Pears as a rehearsal and entertainment space. The Library doors open out onto the garden with a direct view of a sculpture by James Barker.

The Library was visited by Dimitri Shostakovich and was once home to rehearsals for the English Opera Group, Mstislav Rostropovich and Amadeus Quartet. Today the Library is used for intimate recitals and rehearsals for recipients of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme.

Please note Benjamin Britten’s Steinway & Sons Model ‘D’ concert grand piano is an accompanist piano and is not suitable for solo playing.

Please refer to our Conservation Guidelines.

• £250 (includes a recital of up to two hours plus rehearsal and access time)
• Level access
• To hire this space, please contact J Ferguson: jferguson@brittenpearsarts.org