Following closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Higgins Bedford will be reopening on Tuesday 25th August.

New measures have been introduced in line with Government and heath guidance, to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting the museum.

To help manage the number of people in the museum, capacity has been reduced and visitors will need to book a FREE online timed entry ticket in advance here. 

If you are unable to book online, please telephone the Box Office on 01234 718044. The phone line will be open from Monday 24th August - Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm. 

There will be a one way system in operation with separate entrance and exit routes, and hand washing and sanitising facilities will be available throughout the building.

Customer toilet facilities will be open with clear queuing systems in place, and cleaning has been increased. Interactives have been removed as well as shared information folders about the displays, but visitors will be able to access these on mobile devices by scanning new QR codes in some of the galleries. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors have a safe and enjoyable time, while measures such as screens will be in place to ensure everyone’s safety. All visitors must wear a face covering, except for children under 11 or those who are exempt.  

Find out more about visiting The Higgins Bedford here.

Dreams and Nightmares

Continues until 20th September 2020

Free Entry

The popular Dreams and Nightmares exhibition has been extended to 20th  September 2020 and offers visitors the opportunity to explore spiritual visions, spectral images, fairies, witches, and romantic dreams. 

Works include Samuel Palmer’s dreams of the village of Shoreham, Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s visions of the flames of hell and the literary nightmares of Henry Moore’s Greek myths.

Here's what some of our visitors have said:

Absolutely stunning curation of dreams and nightmares – a triumph!

What a brilliant exhibition. Truly magical!

Amazing that the Higgins has such a wonderful collection so skilfully presented and such an interesting subject matter. Worth several viewings.

Find out more about the exhibition here.

Edward Bawden: Architectural Elements

Continues until 6th June 2021

Free Entry

Architecture is one of the most prominent and reoccurring subjects that appear throughout Edward Bawden's extensive body of work. Visitors will now have another chance to view architecturally inspired illustrations, prints, advertising campaigns, private commissions, and wall paper designs, some of which have never before been on public display.

Here's what some of our visitors have said:

Excellent display of Bawden’s work, really appreciated the Shell art work.

Great exhibition of Bawden's architectural themed prints.

You get a good view of Edward Bawden's eye for the unusual detail and his keen wit in this exhibition. 

Find out more about the exhibition here.

Image: Edward Bawden (1903—1989) The Coal Exchange, 1963, © The Edward Bawden Estate. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery (The Higgins Bedford).