The Freud Museum was the final home of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, and his daughter Anna Freud, a pioneering child psychoanalyst.

The Freud family came to England as refugees, having escaped Austria following the Nazi annexation in March 1938. The Freuds were fortunate to be able to bring all their belongings to London. The heart of the house is Sigmund Freud’s study and his famous psychoanalytic couch. Freud spent the last year of his life here, and died in his study at Maresfield Gardens.

The house remained the family home until Anna’s death in 1982. Anna bequeathed the house to become a museum. We opened our doors to the public in 1986. Read Anna Freud’s Story.


What We Do

Conserving Freud’s collection

The Freud Museum exists to promote the intellectual and cultural legacies of Sigmund and Anna Freud for the learning and enjoyment of all.

While caring for the house and collections, we aim to highlight the relevance of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and psychoanalysis in the contemporary world.

We are open to the public. Why not pay us a visit?


Exhibitions

Mark Wallinger, ‘Self Reflection’, 2016

We have been displaying contemporary art for over 25 years, and have a reputation for innovative, exciting exhibitions.

Artists who have responded to the house, its history and collections, and to the work of Sigmund and Anna Freud, include:

  • Sophie Calle
  • Louise Bourgeois
  • Mark Wallinger
  • Susan Hiller
  • Gavin Turk
  • Alice Anderson

Our exhibitions

Please note that we are not currently accepting unsolicited exhibition proposals.


Collections

Signmund Freud's Study Collections

Sigmund Freud’s Study

We display and preserve our collection of around 2500 antiquities from Sigmund Freud’s personal collection. The unique environment of Freud’s study, along with the collections, archives and libraries, tell the stories of those who lived in the house. Our newly re-catalogued archives give context to personal, individual stories as well as the broader history of psychoanalysis.

Collections


Events and Conferences

A Freud Museum conference

We are a place for debate and discussion of Freud and psychoanalysis in the arts, in culture, in ideas and in contemporary life.

Contributors to our lively events and conferences programme have included:

  • Jacques Derrida
  • Susie Orbach
  • Grayson Perry
  • Jacqueline Rose
  • Edward Said
  • Slavoj Žižek

Upcoming events

We are committed to making recordings of all our public events available online, free of charge, via our podcast feed.


Education

Discussing Freud’s ideas with an A Level Psychology group

We are committed to promoting learning about Sigmund and Anna Freud, and psychoanalysis.

Our busy education team welcomes a wide range of groups, from schools to community organisations, bringing psychoanalytic ideas to life through engaging tours and discussions.

Group visits


Outreach

We engage actively with the local community. Our outreach programme has included projects in partnership with organisations connected to:

  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Ageing
  • Social exclusion
  • Trauma

Shop

Terracotta baboons from the Freud Museum Shop – unique replicas of the marble baboon that sits on Freud’s desk

The museum shop offers bespoke gifts, fine art prints, t-shirts, books and more.

Every purchase supports the museum!


Hire

A drinks reception in the Dining Room.

The museum can be hired for meetings, private events and filming.

Our private hire activities directly support us in our work.