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
23 May 2026 - 13 June 2027
***This gallery has reopened after flooding. Most of the exhibition is back up.***
Edward Bawden Gallery - Free Entry
All the illustrations from 'Snails for All' are up but some additional works have been replaced with reproductions in order to protect original works from the risk of water damage.
In 1945, after returning from his duties as a War Artist in the Middle East, Edward Bawden wrote and illustrated a book about snails for his two young children called ‘Snails for All’. Last year The Higgins Bedford was gifted this amazing book for The Edward Bawden Archive. To celebrate this new acquisition the exhibition, of the same name, will display each page of the book alongside other works from the collection. There will also be artwork inspired by the book by children from Putnoe Primary School made in collaboration with local artist Philippa McDonald from Creative Days.
Find out more here - Edward Bawden - Snails for All
25 September 2026 - 9 May 2027
Wixamtree and Connections Gallery - Free Entry
Discover the influence of stories and poetry on artists in this new exhibition drawn from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection. Greek myths and Shakespearian stories, Arthurian legends and poetry will all be explored in the works of artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Paula Rego, Henry Moore, Ceri Richards and Henri Matisse.
A full colour catalogue by curators Professor Christiana Payne, Dr Mary O'Neill and Victoria Partridge will be available to buy in the shop.
Click here for more information
UK Disability History Month 2026
Disability, Politics and Democracy
19 November - 19 December 2026 in The Higgins Foyer
Disability History Month theme for 2026 is Disability, Health and Well Being. To recognise the month The Higgins are working in partnership with FLAG Bedford and Bedford Disability Expo in sharing a display of artwork and from participants with disabilities.
The display will be showcasing artists work including Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Deaths Make Me Sick shrouds (2019) by Vince Laws a series of shrouds. These began as giant pages in the Faust play’s “blasphemous book of state sanctioned torture,” and were used on stage in 2018, highlighting the deaths of people dealing with the DWP in the UK. Other artwork fesatured will include The Access Now Project (2025) by a variety of
disabled artists who used the "Cards For Inclusion" by Unlimited to draw pictures about access solutions in a mini pop up exhibition. The "Cards For Inclusion "is a card game designed by Unlimited to help organisations creatively explore and remove barriers to accessibility for disabled people. The last artwork is The Social Model of Disability (2025), an Applique fabric Banner The social model of disability emerged from the disability rights movement of the late 20th century, which aimed to give people with disabilities more freedom and autonomy.
We will also be welcoming Hawkin - the Platypus (a friend of Kevin, The Higgins own) as created by Laura Peggs and Bedford Dsaibility Expo mascot for Dsiability rights and inclusion.
There will be a launch event on Thursday 19 November 11am - 1pm, with a badge-making activity and a chance to meet the artist and curators of the display Laura Peggs and Helen Jones.
We have a Reminiscence Coffee Morning on 3 December 11am-12.30pm on Dsiability Awareness and Actvitism where Laura and Helen will be presenting some of their work with the community and we will be encouraging participants to share their own experiences and stories - all welcome.
Being Human Festival Display
Advocating for Trans and Queer Inclusion in Community Sport
4 - 15 November
The Higgins Foyer, Free Entry
This display will showcase recent research by Dr Alex Baird, Dr Kayden Schumacher, and Dr Helen Bushell-Thornalley, exploring trans and queer experiences of community sports.
Among the projects featured is a study involving participants from three LGBTQ+ community running events. The research highlights the importance of inclusive and accessible running communities, and offers recommendations for sports governing bodies and community event organisers to help increase participation among LGBTQ+ people.
Visitors will also be able to explore findings from the co-produced Sport and Wellbeing Project, which focused on the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse young people and their engagement with sport, physical activity and health.
Alongside the research, a practical toolkit developed with participants will be available, offering guidance for schools, youth organisations and community groups on creating more inclusive opportunities for physical activity and sport.
The display will be of particular interest to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The information is essential for educating governing bodies, sport organisers, and coaches, whose decisions, policies, and practices greatly affect LGBTQ+ participants' access and willingness to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Bedfordshire Natural History
80th Anniversary Display
20 October 2026 onwards
Great Bedfordians Gallery - Free Entry
Come and discover some of the key personalities that have supported the Bedfordshire Natural History Society over the past 80 years. A Display that celebrate people who have been central to studying, recording, and championing the county's wildlife for present and future generations to benefit from and enjoy.
Image caption: John and Chris Dony at BNHS 40th Anniversary gathering at Great Haynes Wood, 1986 copyright Mary Sheridan
Minerals, Mysteries and Collectors Display
13 October 2026 - 9 May 2027
Settlement Foyer display case - free entry
Do you wonder about the shiny bits in your rock collection? How did they form? Why are they shiny? Where did they come from? Who collected The Higgins' rocks, minerals and fossils?
This exhibition, in partnership with Bedfordshire Geology Group, will answer these questions. Explore the properties of minerals and their mysterious formation. Discover some of the fabulous collection seen for the first time, along with the story of those collectors who have donated to the collection over the years.
Mobile Bar, Image courtesy of Wells and Co.
A Brewery in Bedford: Celebrating 150 Years of Wells & Co.
1 July 2026 - 18 April 2027
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor - Free entry
Founded in 1876 by Charles Wells, the business began at Horne Lane Brewery, brewing beers and growing a thriving pub estate. In 2019, it moved to Brewpoint and rebranded as Wells & Co., marking an exciting new chapter. Find out more about their 150 year journey.
Also see upcoming event reminiscence session on Thursday 16 July 11am - 12.30pm.
Find out more about the history of the brewery in this specially produced pdf Wells & Co
George, A Windrush Boy
1 May 2026 to 27 March 2027
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.
Events
Meet the author Gilroy Gregory at the following drop in events, as well as an opportunity to acquire a signed copy of the book:
Meet the Author event dates 11.30-1pm: Tuesday 8 December
Gilroy will be reading extracts of his book live in the gallery, and explaining the significance of the illustrations and objects on display, please do come and join us.
On Thursday 12 November 1.30-2.30pm Gilroy will be giving a talk as part of The Being Human Festival programme in our Barbican Studio - booking essential via our Talks, Tours and Workshops page.
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.
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.
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 >