Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens is pleased to announce that significant renovation work is currently underway in the William Allen Gallery to enhance visitor experience, improve security, and provide better environmental conditions for artwork display.
The project, undertaken by Northern Construction Solutions, includes structural reinforcements to the gallery walls, the installation of new secure doors, and major improvements to security systems. These upgrades will enable Ushaw to collaborate with a wider range of partners and showcase a broader collection of paintings and sculptures in the future.
Andrew Heard, Visitor Programmes Manager at Ushaw said: “The William Allen Gallery is a key part of our visitor offer, and these essential works will ensure we can bring even more remarkable exhibitions to Ushaw. By strengthening the infrastructure and security of the space, we are expanding the possibilities for what we can offer to our visitors.”
This important work is being funded by a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund/Rural England Prosperity Fund, allowing Ushaw to continue its mission of preserving and showcasing cultural heritage in a dynamic and engaging way.
As Ushaw undergoes these transformative improvements, visitors can look forward to an exciting lineup of exhibitions in 2025, including:
- The Discovery of Birds (Saturday 12 April to Sunday 22 June) – Drawing on Ushaw Library’s rich and varied natural history holdings, this exhibition illuminates the development of bird art from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century.
- The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists (Saturday 28 June to Sunday 31 August)
A family-friendly exhibition which celebrates the art of the Ladybird book artists from the 1940s to the 1970s. Tracing the interconnected work of these artists, the story is recounted over Ladybird’s ‘golden years’ – 1940 to 1975. Visually rich and varied, the exhibition will evoke many memories of childhood. - Lafcadio Hearn – Kwaidan (Saturday 6 September to Sunday 2 November)
A touring exhibition of prints inspired by the writing of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan book of Japanese ghost stories. - Tom Hume: Retrospective (Saturday 8 November – Early 2026)
A retrospective exhibition featuring oil paintings, preparatory drawings and sketchbooks, by Tom Hume, a Durham-based artist and art teacher.
These upcoming exhibitions promise to celebrate art, history, and culture, bringing visitors new and engaging experiences at Ushaw.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
