Summer renovation works to take place at William Morris Gallery

The works will bring some temporary disruption, with parts of the Gallery closing from Monday, 22nd June

Renewal works to William Morris Gallery will commence on 22nd June 2026, marking the second phase of a major capital investment programme to improve the building, visitor experience, and interpretation of the collection.

The first phase, completed in March 2025, focused on essential upgrades to the gallery’s thermal insulation, mechanical cooling, and ventilation systems.

This work was supported by Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) and improved the building’s environmental performance and sustainability.

This next phase will see gallery and learning spaces refurbished alongside a rehang of the permanent collection. Updated interpretation and new objects from the galleries extensive collection on display will introduce fresh perspectives on William Morris’s life and legacy, including a stronger focus on women’s history, South Asian and Islamic art, and Morris’s influence on design, politics and environmental issues.

The works will bring some temporary disruption, with parts of the gallery closing from Monday, 22nd June. For a short but intensive period, the entire building, including Deeney’s Café, will be closed to the public from Monday, 27th July to Friday, 7th August.

Deeney’s will reopen from Saturday, 8th August, while works continue at the gallery – the building will reopen in phases, ahead of the Gallery’s next major exhibition, Earthly Paradise, opening on Saturday, 3rd October.

During the works, the gallery team will take its programme outdoors, offering residents opportunities to stay connected through a series of summer activities in and around Lloyd Park.

The gallery’s renewal has been shaped through consultation with local communities and specialist advisers, ensuring the redisplay reflects a broad range of stories and voices. The project aims to secure the gallery’s future while offering residents a richer, more inclusive cultural experience when it reopens.

This phase of the project is being completed with generous support from The Wolfson Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation, with design by Sam Jacob Studio and delivery by contractor The Moule Partnership.

Hadrian Garrard, director of William Morris Gallery, said: “This second phase marks an exciting new chapter for the gallery. Alongside recent infrastructure improvements, this is an opportunity to rethink how we present Morris’s work for today’s audiences, deepening engagement, broadening perspectives, and highlighting his continued relevance to contemporary social and environmental issues.

Councillor Anna Rose Kerr, the cabinet member for culture added: “We are proud to support this important investment in William Morris Gallery. These improvements will ensure art and education remain accessible, inspiring, and relevant for all.”

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