Our fine art collection consists of watercolours, drawings and prints which cannot be on permanent display as they will become damaged from too much exposure to light. We display the collection in themed exhibitions but sometimes your favourites may not be out. If there is a particular work you are coming in especially to see, please call or email in advance to check whether it is on display.
Current Exhibitions and Displays:
© Katheleen Hale Estate
Wixamtree and Connections Gallery
Free Entry
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, this exhibition tells the story of publishing's unsung hero Noel Carrington (1895–1989). Schooled in Bedford with his sister Dora, Noel Carrington became one of the most influential figures in 20th century design. Through the Puffin Picture books and Country Life magazine he commissioned, edited and published some of Britain's most loved children's picture books. He saw the genius in the artist Kathleen Hale, publishing books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat and championed emerging artists such as Hilary Stebbing. With Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Mervyn Peake he commissioned books including ' High Street', 'Life in an English Village' and 'Captain Slaughterboard'. Showcasing beloved children's books, forgotten gems and original artwork this exhibition will take Noel Carrington out of the footnotes and into the spotlight.
Find out more here - Noel Carrington
Stanny’s Stus: Images of Bedford Physical Training College
6 November 2025 to 31 May 2026
Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry
‘Stanny’s Stus’ – A Glimpse into Women's Sporting and Social History.
In 1903, Margaret Stansfeld founded the Bedford Physical Training College, an all-female institution located on Lansdowne Road. Locally, its students and staff were affectionately known as ‘Stanny’s Stus.’ Many of them were enthusiastic photographers who captured their everyday experiences, documenting aspects of sport, leisure, and teaching in Bedfordshire.
These photographs offer valuable insights into the social and sporting lives of women in the early 20th century. Thanks to recent digitisation efforts, these historic images, part of the Bedford Physical Education Archive, are now being exhibited publicly for the first time outside of their home at the University of Bedfordshire.
Discover more about the making of the exhibition here by clicking on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DWEnX4cCmU
Cultural Roots Sound System Display
March to December 2026
Somewhere in England Gallery - Free Entry
Back by popular demand, Cultural Roots Sound System will be returning in a new location to our Somewhere in England gallery on the first floor. This display explores the formation of the Sound System culture as the community settled from the Caribbean in Bedford through the 1950s – ‘70s, as well as celebrating the achievements of prominent people in the community.
Exploring Bedfordshire’s Kilns: An Industry Revealed
28 April to 4 October 2026
Outside Settlement Gallery – Free Entry
In 2025, Albion Archaeology, part of Central Bedfordshire Council, unearthed a remarkably well preserved Late Medieval kiln under the playing field of Sutton V. A. Primary School, near Potton. Excavating the Sutton Kiln revealed the closing of a substantial pottery production centre in Bedfordshire, with over 30,000 pieces of pottery and 500kg of tiles recovered by the archaeologists – most of it washed by volunteers from The Higgins Bedford.
A new display, in collaboration with Albion Archaeology, explores this discovery, alongside other kilns found near Potton and in Bedford itself. Come and see what this kiln looked like in its day, as well as what kind of pottery was being made in Late Medieval Bedfordshire, and how the archaeologists saved this piece of Bedfordshire's heritage. This was a community-wide project, the display will include contributions from Bedford Young Archaeologists’ Club, Sutton V.A. Primary School and volunteers from The Higgins.
Ukrainian Heritage, Costume and Textile Display
Collectors Gallery 28th April – 1 November 2026
Following the success of the Ukrainian Folk Art and Heritage Exhibition there will be a continuing changing display of costume and textiles in our Collectors Gallery inspired by Ukrainian Heritage curated by Daria Bilan. The display will feature the specialist embroidered clothing representing a range of regions in Ukraine, and symbolism. The Pysanky decorated-egg trail will continue to be displayed throughout galleries as a fun activity for families.
George, A Windrush Boy
1 May to 1 November 2026
Dressing Room Display in The Higgins House - Free Entry
This display is inspired by a historical novel, George (the teenage years), which tells the story of an 11-year-old Windrush boy who came to England from Jamaica and lived in South London during the 1960s and 1970s.
The author, Gilroy Gregory and his daughter (the artist) tell the story, with illustrations, of this black immigrant boy. The display is a glimpse into the lives of these unknown British children who came with their parents from the colonies to help in the rebuilding of Britain after World War 2. These children are a lost generation (to the government and the British public). In more recent times some have been mistakenly identified and forcibly removed as illegal immigrants; others have lost their jobs, houses and healthcare. The exhibits are all a connected part of George’s story and experience.
Marston Vale Line 180th Anniversary
19 May to 7 June 2026
Higgins Foyer - Free Entry
Join us for a display celebrating 180 years of the Marston Vale Line, the first railway line opened in Bedfordshire. This display will be curated by the Friends of Ridgmont Station volunteers, sharing key milestones and stories for the Marston Vale Line over the decades.
Join us for our Reminiscence session on 21 May to share your own memories of the railway.
Image Caption: Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre on the Marston Vale Line © Suzanne Scott
Bedfordshire Police: A history
Closes on 21 June 2026
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Come and discover the history of our local Bedfordshire Police forces curated by the Bedfordshire Police Historical and Museum Society. The society is run by volunteers who carry out research and maintain a display at Bedfordshire Police Headquarters. The bulk of the collection is housed at the former Police Station at Kempston, visits by appointment only. The display at The Higgins will highlight objects and their stories collected over the decades.
Stamp Collecting Posters
The Hobby of Kings by Bedford Philatelic Society
Closes September 2026
Staircase Display
King George V started the royal stamp collection and this has been continued down the centuries. Since the first stamp, the Penny Black, people young and old have been collecting these small sticky squares of paper. Our staircase display of stamp and postal related posters from the Bedford Philatelic Society collection has been curated by Richard Hart. It shares a broad range of significant postal themed material for all ages to enjoy. The Bedford Philatelic Society, formed in 1944, continues to meet once a month at Bunyan Meeting Church, Bedford, they welcome interest from new members.
Let's Be Open About Mental Health to Break the Stigma
Castle Lane Cases Outside The Higgins Bedford, Free Entry
The Higgins Bedford has worked with the Let's Be Open About Mental Health campaign to showcase this display of poems, artwork and messages made by local people, to give encouragment to people who may be struggling with their mental health at this current time.
Find out more about the display here >
Poland: in Bedford
Great Bedfordians Gallery, Free Entry
Explore the stories of Bedford's Polish community in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Polish Independence. Follow their experiences of early life in Poland, memories of migration, journeys to Britain and life after settling in Bedford.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
Spotlight on the Collections
Spotlight Gallery, Free Entry
The Spotlight Gallery currently hosts a display of Greek coins from our collections. Future displays will explore a wide range of themes, including objects and their stories from our stores, recent archaeological finds from around Bedford and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Find out more about the display here >
'Paved with Gold': Bedford's Windrush Generation
Online Exhibition
Explore the stories of the people that settled in Bedford, and the contributions they have made to the community in this online exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
International Women's Day - Pearl Thomson
Online Display
Celebrate the life of one of our Great Bedfordians; Pearl Thomson. Born in Jamaica, Pearl arrived in Bedford in 1956 and became the town's first female teacher from the Caribbean.
Find out more about the display here >