Special exhibitions

Current exhibitions

Shaw and Rodin at Shaw's Corner 

Shaw and Rodin: A Creative Dialogue explores George Bernard Shaw's friendship with the sculptor Auguste Rodin. Highlights include Shaw's photographs of his busts by Rodin, taken in the garden at Shaw's Corner. Rodin's plaster bust of Shaw is also displayed alongside the bronze bust for the first time in over sixty years.

Matt Collishaw's Thresholds at Lacock Abbey 

In collaboration with Blain Southern gallery, this new virtual reality artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Mat Collishaw invites you to step back in time to one of the earliest exhibitions of photography in 1839. Walk freely throughout a digitally reconstructed room, and touch the bespoke vitrines, fixtures and mouldings; even the heat from a coal fire is recreated.

Bernar Venet at Cliveden 

Internationally acclaimed conceptual artist Bernar Venet is bringing a new perspective to the gardens at Cliveden with an exciting outdoor art exhibition. 10 large-scale sculptures, some scaling up to 9 metres high, are placed around the estate, challenging you to re-think the space which has often been home to new and striking art.

Creatures & Creations at Waddesdon Manor 

Witness nature re-imagined in this exhibition that sees an amalgamation of fashion, digital art and animal specimens on show. In collaboration with the Natural History Museum at Tring, Walter Rothschild's spectacular collection of natural history provides the inspiration for colourful virtual collages by Platon H and couture dresses by Mary Katrantzou.

A Spanish visitor to Kingston Lacy 

A unique landscape by Diego Velázquez from the National Gallery in London is on view at Kingston Lacy in Dorset. This is the first time this exceptional work, La Tela Real, has left the National Gallery. From the summer, look out for an exciting programme of activities and specialist talks about the painting and its fascinating associations with our own exceptional collection of Spanish paintings.

Wedgwood at Leith Hill Place  

For the first time in over 50 years, a collection of Wedgwood ceramics formed by the Wedgwood family is on display at Leith Hill Place in Surrey. View the timeless beauty of exquisite Wedgwood ceramics in their original home.

Copying Holbein at Montacute 

This exhibition brings together 16th and early 17th-century copies of Hans Holbein the Younger’s portraits of prominent individuals from the court of Henry VIII. Holbein was a celebrated painter, printmaker and designer. In the years following his death, there was a lively market for copies of his paintings. On display are works from the National Portrait Gallery including portraits of Thomas Cromwell, Sir Thomas More, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, and also a portrait of Jane Seymour from the collection at Montacute.

The Riches of the Earth at Waddesdon Manor 

Baron Ferdinand collected many objects made of precious materials, hardstones, minerals, silver and gold. Some of the smaller objects and items from store are displayed for you to closely examine.

Queen Palmer, John Singer Sargent and their Circle at Ightham Mote 

The Queen of Ightham - An American interlude explores Queen Palmer, wife of the American railroad engineer William Jackson Palmer who founded Colorado Springs. Queen came to live at Ightham Mote with her three daughters in April 1887 and it was here that she attracted the elite of the Aesthetic Movement, including the renowned portraitist John Singer Sargent. Thanks to a generous loan from the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Sargent's portrait of Elsie Palmer, Queen's daughter, is on view. This is a unique opportunity to see a work by Sargent in the place where it was originally painted.

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

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.

Croome's collection returns with a twist 

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.

Opening soon

Reimagining of India at Basildon Park

The Garden room at Basildon Park is being transformed into a temporary exhibition space to reflect Basildon Park's association with India. Local community input and Lady Iliffe's original intentions for the room will combine to create an immersive space that will reflect Indian culture, past and present.