Closed for re-furbishment until Spring 2013.

Outdoor exhibitions and events will be running throughout 2012 - check their website for more information.

Clarence Street, Cheltenham
Gloucestershire. GL50 3JT
Location Map
Tel: 01242 237431
Email: artgallery@cheltenham.gov.uk
Website: www.cheltenham.artgallery.museum

About the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

In 1898 the third Baron de Ferrieres, a former Mayor and MP for Cheltenham, gave 43 important paintings, mostly from Belgium and the Netherlands, to the town, together with £1000 towards the building of a gallery in which to house them. This was opened in 1899.

In 1905 the Schools of Art and Science left the premises they occupied next door to the Art Gallery, and the Museum was opened in these rooms two years later. From that time the collections grew in number and in quality, with the great majority generously given by the people of Cheltenham. In 1975 a branch museum was opened in the birthplace of Gustav Holst, the composer, which was completely furnished from the collections. This became an independent museum in 2000. In 1983 a museum was opened to display the costume collection in Cheltenham’s most important historic building, the Pittville Pump Room: this was closed in 1999.

The first real increase in space and visitor facilities came in 1989 when HRH The Princess Royal opened an extension to the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. This is the building in which the main entrance is sited.

In due course Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum hope to expand still further: the quantity and quality of collections are certainly there to fill these spaces, not least the last surviving Cheltenham tram!

Starting upstairs in the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, the first displays are devoted to Cheltenham’s history. These are followed by galleries of ceramics and oriental art.

Don't miss the small room devoted to Edward Wilson, the Cheltenham-born explorer who went to the Antarctic with Captain Scott. The Summerfield Galleries include Gloucestershire archaeology and natural history, and tell the story of how we used to live from earliest times to Queen Victoria's day. They are named after Ron Summerfield, a well-known local antique dealer and collector. The displays were made possible by the very considerable generosity of the Charitable Trust which was established under Mr Summerfield's Will.

Make sure you see the Arts and Crafts Movement gallery with its internationally important collections which attract visitors from all over the world.

To help you on your way there’s there's a Café serving a variety of teas, coffees, cakes and light lunches. The shop on the ground floor stocks a wide range of cards, gifts and books, related to the collections. It's the ideal place to look for an unusual present or souvenir of your visit.

The Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum hold special exhibitions on many subjects in the de Ferrieres Gallery. Gallery 13 is for smaller shows, from private press books to watercolours. The exhibitions are complemented by many events and activities so you can always be sure of something new to see and do.

The emphasis in this section is on what you can see on your visit. There is also a reference to the study collections which are not permanently on view, but can be seen by appointment.

Art Gallery & Museum Opening Times

Mon-Sat 10.00-5.20
1st Thursday of each month open at 11.00am
Closed Bank Holidays
Closed Sundays

Admission

Admission Free - Donations Welcome

Accessibility

Totally accessible for wheelchair users, lift, ramps, etc to all floors (to use lift, please ask a member of security staff). Free loan of wheelchair, pushchair or toddler stool. Induction loop and speech reinforcement system in the Meeting Room. Handling tables throughout the galleries. Guide dogs welcome.