Two local government run museums, the purpose of which is to open up and care for the historic houses as part of the history of both the local community and the nation. Leighton House Museum is the former home of the Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). The only purpose-built studio-house open to the public in the UK, it is one of the most remarkable buildings of the nineteenth century, containing a fascinating collection of paintings and sculpture by Leighton and his contemporaries, as well as the iconic Arab Hall. Sambourne House was the home of Punch cartoonist and photographer Edward Linley Sambourne. The house gives an insight into the personal lives of the Sambourne family, and also provides a rare example of what was known as an 'Aesthetic interior' or 'House Beautiful' style. Both houses have educational activities, such as tours, for both adults and children, events and two exhibition spaces at Leighton House.
