Broughton House

Broughton House is a Category A listed historic building in Dumfries and Galloway, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Broughton House

E A Hornel bought Broughton House in Kirkcudbright in 1901 and turned it into his home, studio and salesroom.

The building stands in the heart of this artists' town on the Galloway coast and now operates as a museum devoted to Hornel's life and work.

Its garden, planted with a mix of Eastern and Western species, was designed with a strong Japanese influence and remains one of the property's chief draws.

The National Trust for Scotland has cared for the house since it came into the charity's hands, and visitors can see original interiors alongside exhibition spaces.

History of Broughton House

Hornel, one of the group of painters known as the Glasgow Boys, purchased the house in 1901 and adapted it to suit his working life as well as his domestic one. Over the following decades he built up a substantial library and archive, including a collection of Robert Burns material said to be among the largest in the world, which scholars still consult today.

Architecture of Broughton House

The house combines domestic rooms with purpose-built studio and exhibition space, reflecting the practical needs of an artist who also sold and displayed his own work on site.

Worth knowing

Hornel was part of the Glasgow Boys, a loose circle of Scottish painters working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his collection includes works by several of his contemporaries alongside his own paintings.

Gardens & grounds at Broughton House

The garden blends Japanese-inspired design with Western planting, a reflection of Hornel's own travels and tastes.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop EV charging Cycle parking Drinking water

Plan your visit to Broughton House

Address: DG6 4JX

Prices Opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Flimby Rail Station (23.6 miles)

Broughton House & Garden is typically open seasonally, generally spring through autumn; check the official NTS website for current dates and hours.

Places to visit near Broughton House

Maclellans Castle

castle 0.1 miles

Visit Maclellans Castle View Maclellans Castle on heritage map

Dundrennan Abbey

abbey 4.7 miles

View Dundrennan Abbey on heritage map

Cardoness Castle

castle 6.2 miles

View Cardoness Castle on heritage map

Threave Gardens

garden 7.3 miles

View Threave Gardens on heritage map

Threave Castle

historic building 7.8 miles

View Threave Castle on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Broughton House (DG6) there are 2 historic properties, including 1 castle and 1 abbey.

2 Historic Environment Scotland

1 Castle

1 Abbey

See these 2 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Broughton House (DG6) there are 6 historic properties, including 2 castles, across Historic Environment Scotland and National Trust for Scotland sites.

5 Historic Environment Scotland

1 National Trust for Scotland

2 Castle

1 Historic building

1 Tower

1 Garden

1 Abbey

See these 6 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Broughton House (DG6) there are 18 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings, 3 castles and 3 abbeys, across Historic Environment Scotland and National Trust for Scotland sites.

17 Historic Environment Scotland

1 National Trust for Scotland

3 Historic building

3 Castle

3 Abbey

2 Tower

2 Archaeological site

1 Mill

1 Priory

1 Historic site