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'The Polar Failure': unseen photographs from the 1875 Arctic expedition Exhibition
- Published:
- 15 May 2026
Hughenden Manor will have the full collection of images from Britain’s unsuccessful 1875 Arctic expedition on public display for the first time, providing a rare view of one of the most intensive and controversial expeditions of the Victorian era. Opening on 29 June 2026, the exhibition brings together more than 100 photographs from Britain’s 1875 Arctic expedition. Many of the images have never been publicly displayed before. Marking 150 years since the expedition’s return, The Polar Failure explores a story of ambition, endurance and national silence.
Britain’s failed mission to reach the North Pole
In 1875, HMS Alert and HMS Discovery set out to reach the North Pole and record the Arctic’s landscapes, wildlife and people.
The crews spent more than a year in extreme conditions, facing frostbite, disease and severe weather. Despite their efforts, the mission failed and was later investigated by the Admiralty.
When the ships returned to Portsmouth on 18 October 1875, the British press began referring to the expedition as ‘The Polar Failure’.
A hidden collection of Arctic photographs
The photographs on display were given to Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who funded the expedition.
Restricted from public view for many years, the collection is now being shown at Hughenden, Disraeli’s former home.
The photographs provide a rare visual record of life at the edge of the known world. They capture Arctic landscapes, shipboard life and the challenges of creating photographs in harsh polar conditions.
What visitors will see
Visitors can explore:
- A display of more than 100 pictures, on rotation, portraying life aboard ship and in the Arctic scenery.
- The uncovering of a previously unknown Arctic expedition story, brought to light after a national cover-up surrounding the mission’s failure.
- One of the first examples of photography in harsh polar climate.
- A rare Victorian Meagher Folding Camera, the same model used by the crew on the expedition.
- An immersive gallery experience with maritime inspired theming.
Plan your visit
The Polar Failure runs from 29 June 2026 to 28 June 2027 at Hughenden Manor.
The exhibition is supported by CEWE.
'The Polar Failure': Uncovering the hidden images of the 1875 Arctic expedition
‘The Polar Failure’ at Hughenden Manor is an immersive exhibition launching 29 June, 2026 exploring Britain’s 1875 Arctic expedition through previously unseen photographs, marking its 150th anniversary in 2026.
