Special exhibitions

Each year we host major exhibitions at some of our most iconic buildings and outdoor spaces. Some celebrate the people who hold special connections to those places; some shed new light on their histories. Others explore different aspects of our collections, from paintings and sculpture to interior design and photography. Our Trust New Art exhibitions showcase contemporary artwork inspired by our places.

Here are some highlights of what’s on now and what's coming soon.

Opening in May & June

One Lemon Quartered by Eliot Hodgkin 1972

Brought to Life: Eliot Hodgkin Rediscovered at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire 

Brought to Life: Eliot Hodgkin Rediscovered is the first major exhibition of the artist’s work in nearly thirty years, and aims to return this remarkable British painter to the spotlight where he belongs. From 23 May.

Until 20 October 2019
The Hall outside the Dining Room at Standen House, West Sussex

Morris & Co. Inspired by Nature exhibition at Standen House and Garden in West Sussex 

Many original works by William Morris, the founding father of the Arts and Crafts movement, will go on display in a new exhibition at Standen House and Garden. Inspired by Nature explores how Morris' designs were influenced by natural patterns and used in wallpaper, textiles and other items produced by his firm Morris & Co. From 1 June.

Until 10 November 2019
grayson perry battle of britain

Grayson Perry: Landscapes at Croome, Worcestershire 

Take a visual journey through Grayson Perry’s epic landscape tapestries and intricate etchings. This exhibition includes the extraordinary ‘Battle of Britain’ tapestry into which the artist has woven references to contemporary life in Britain. Fittingly, these works are displayed in Croome’s Tapestry Room, where the 18th century Gobelins tapestries once hung. From 1 June.

Until 29 September 2019
Black and white photo of Conde Nast photographer and former Rainham Hall tenant, Anthony Denney posing in a giant vase at the Vogue Studios in 1953.

Anthony Denney at Rainham Hall in Havering 

Celebrating an icon of British 20th century design, in June 2019 Rainham Hall will launch a new exhibition programme about the life and career of one of its 1960s inhabitants, Anthony Denney. From June 2019.

Until June 2020

Current exhibitions

Detail of the portrait of Sir Francis Drake commissioned by Drake himself

Sir Francis Drake: Coming Home at Buckland Abbey in Devon 

Visitors to Buckland Abbey have a rare opportunity to see a portrait of Sir Francis Drake, commissioned by Drake himself, on display in the house he bought after circumnavigating the globe in 1850. The exhibition of this full-length painting, loaned to us by the National Portrait gallery, opened on 28 April.

Until 23 September 2019
Artworks by Suna Imre and Eileen White.

For the Time Being at Mottisfont in Hampshire 

For the Time Being showcases ceramic compositions, prints and artist books from a one-year residency at Mottisfont by Hampshire-based artists Suna Imre and Eileen White.

Until 7 July 2019
Children's illustration of a little girl hugging a smiling tiger

Catch the tiger at Rowallene in County Down  

Join us when 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' exhibition comes to Rowallene Garden. This interactive exhibition will display artwork from Judith Kerr's beloved book and include storytelling, a life-size tiger and much more.

Until 30 June 2019
Japanese Pagoda Tree, watercolour on paper, by Masumi Yamanaka

Plants Portrayed at Mottisfont in Hampshire 

Mottisfont unveils a selection of 34 contemporary botanical illustrations from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in May. Showcasing intricately detailed and colourful illustrations of flowers, leaves and trees – with some varieties that you’ll find out in the grounds, such as sweet chestnut. Includes work by Pandora Sellars - one of the world’s most important and influential botanical painters.

Until 7 July 2019
Visitor looking into What is Home exhibition

What is Home at Croome in Worcester 

A new exhibition at Croome Court in Worcestershire, that once housed a school for boys, explores the question ‘what is home?’ through the voices of former pupils and children currently in care. Artist Kashif Nadim Chaudry’s installation is inspired by a period in Croome’s history from 1948–1978 and the pupils' real-life stories and personal objects.

Until July 2020
National Portrait Gallery, William Wordsworth

Faces of Change: Nature's Champions at Dunham Massey in Cheshire 

As part of the Trust’s People’s Landscapes programme, Dunham Massey celebrates the people who could be called ‘nature’s champions'. From Sir David Attenborough and Linda McCartney to William Wordsworth and Octavia Hill, this partnership exhibition with the National Portrait Gallery, brings together over 30 works of art and live debates.

Until 9 June 2019
Visitors explore HumanKind exhibition at National Trust Calke Abbey in Derbyshire

Humankind at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire 

This exciting exhibition sheds new light on the imposing Baroque Calke Abbey in Derbyshire and its ‘isolated’ family that was said to hide from the world. It explores the themes of loneliness and human kindness. Follow the lives of six Calke inhabitants over two centuries, through immersive audio-visual experiences, displays and outdoor installations.

Until March 2021
Delicately drawn pencil head self portrait of a young D.G. Rossetti with chalk detail

Rossetti, pre the Pre-Raphaelites exhibition at Wightwick Manor 

His paintings of flame-haired women define the style that Rossetti is best known for. But this year at Wightwick Manor in the West Midlands, you'll discover the early work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, before he created the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Until 24 December 2019
Tree of Life fashion exhibition at Killerton

The Tree of Life at Killerton in Devon 

This year's fashion exhibition at Killerton in Devon explores the human relationship with trees that's celebrated in textiles and fashion design through the uses of patterns, dyes and materials.

Until 2 November 2019
Portraits for We are Bess hang with the historic portraits in the Long Gallery at Hardwick

We are Bess at Hardwick in Derbyshire 

Hardwick's We are Bess exhibition retells the story of Bess's life through 16 modern photographic portraits, interspersed with original Bess portrait paintings and compares the challenges of women in the 16th century and today. Celebrating women and power.

Until 2 June 2019
Dandelion by Jackie Morris

The Lost Words at Nymans in Sussex 

This exhibition at Nymans in Sussex is a unique collaboration between renowned writer Robert Macfarlane, author of The Old Ways and Landmarks, and artist Jackie Morris, White Fox, Tell Me a Dragon. Visually exciting, it accompanies a programme of imaginative activities at Nymans.

Until 2 June 2019
Peckover House, Lord Peckovers Library

Lord Peckover's Lost Library, Peckover House in Cambridgeshire 

Lord Alexander Peckover's valuable book collection was sold after his death in 1919. One hundred years later, Peckover House tells the story of Lord Peckover's 'Lost Library' and his wider collecting interests.

Until November 2019
Churchill arriving in Geneva, 1946

A History of Winston Churchill in 50 Objects at Chartwell in Kent 

This new permanent exhibition at Chartwell focuses on the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill, telling the stories of his many achievements and personal life. Get close to the fascinating collection of Churchill’s own possessions accumulated by him over the course of his lifetime; from personal mementos to gifts he received from friends, family and political contacts from around the world.

Ongoing exhibition
Artist Serena Korda installs her ceramic mushroom artwork

The Bell Tree: Serena Korda at Speke Hall in Liverpool 

Step into a magical environment this season. Deep in the heart of Speke's woodland is an ancient oak tree which has been transformed by award-winning artist Serena Korda into a sculptural sound installation with over 300 ceramic mushroom bells. Inspired by the folklore of the native bluebells that grow beneath its branches, The Bell Tree celebrates the dark side of the fairy kingdom.

Until July 2019
Chippendale green dressing table with open drawer

Chippendale Revealed: online exhibition 

On 5 June we launched ‘Chippendale Revealed’, an online exhibition which includes specially commissioned photography showing previously unseen aspects of Thomas Chippendale’s furniture at Nostell Priory and showcasing the expertise of the National Trust's Furniture Research & Cataloguing team.

Ongoing exhibition
Night and Sleep be Evelyn De morgan

William and Evelyn De Morgan at Wightwick Manor and Gardens in Wolverhampton 

In partnership with the De Morgan foundation, a new exhibition exploring the work of Evelyn and William De Morgan has opened at Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton. Hosted in The Malthouse, a new purpose-built gallery space, the exhibition showcases some of Evelyn De Morgan's most iconic works including Night and Sleep, as well as a fantastic array of plates, vases and tile panels by William De Morgan.

Ongoing exhibition
Humphry Morice a painting by Pompeo Batoni

At Home with Art: Treasures from the Ford Collection at Basildon Park in Reading 

See nearly 70 objects from art historian Sir Brinsley Ford’s extraordinary collection, on loan from Augustine Ford. An avid collector from the age of eleven, Ford built on the art collection inherited from his father and grandfather. By the time of his death in 1999 he had amassed over 1500 works of art that included Old Master paintings, 20th-century British pictures, sculpture and decorative arts.

Ongoing exhibition
Visitor walking through 'The Golden Box'

Croome's collection returns with a twist, Croome in Derbyshire 

Historical objects from the 6th Earl of Coventry’s collection have returned to Croome. Very important pieces that have been absent for over 70 years - including Lord Coventry's exquisite Meissen, Worcester and Sèvres porcelain - are presented in unique ways. Two artists exhibit new installations, The Golden Box and Chair Play, celebrating Croome's collection treasures and furniture.

Ongoing exhibition

Coming up later in 2019

The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition banner

The tiger comes to tea at Newark Park in Gloucestershire 

The beloved artwork of Judith Kerr's children's book 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' is on exhibition, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The original artwork is complemented by a tiger-themed trail around the garden, craft sessions and storytelling. From 6 July to 1 September.

Opens 6 July 2019
A visitor looking at items from an exhibition at Hardwick Hall

Exhibitions in your area 

Search all our current exhibitions, installations and displays at a place near you