The Wilson
Free art gallery and museum in Cheltenham with fine art, local history, the Edward Wilson archive, children's spaces and a collection of Arts and Crafts design.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Wilson began in 1898, when the third Baron de Ferrieres, a former mayor and MP of Cheltenham, gave 43 paintings, mostly from Belgium and the Netherlands, to the town with 1,000 pounds towards a gallery to house them. The art gallery opened in 1899. When the Schools of Art and Science moved out of the neighbouring premises in 1905, the museum opened in those rooms two years later, and its collections grew mainly through gifts from the people of Cheltenham. A branch museum in the birthplace of the composer Gustav Holst opened in 1975 and became independent in 2000.
An extension opened by the Princess Royal in 1989 provided the main entrance, and a major new building was completed in 2013, when the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum reopened under its new name, The Wilson. It is named after Edward Wilson, born in Cheltenham in 1872, a doctor, scientist and artist who took part in Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition. The 2013 building added galleries for fine art, a space on local heroes including Wilson, a reinterpreted Arts and Crafts gallery for the nationally designated collection, and two temporary exhibition galleries.
The museum is part of The Cheltenham Trust, an independent charity, and offers galleries of fine and decorative art, archaeology, local history and Arts and Crafts design, a community art gallery, artist studios, a learning centre and a children's gallery. Since 2020 the Victorian wing with the collections galleries has been closed for the Cheltenham BIG Museum Project, and its new museum galleries are due to reopen on 24 October 2026.
Highlights
- Free art gallery and museum with fine art, archaeology and local history
- Nationally designated Arts and Crafts collection
- Open Archive with watercolours and papers of the Antarctic explorer Edward Wilson
- World of Wonders children's gallery and a family-friendly Play Café
- Community art gallery and changing exhibitions
Permanent exhibitions
- New museum collection galleries – Welcome space, community display and four new collections galleries in the Victorian wing, reopening after the BIG Museum Project.
- World of Wonders (WOW) – Children's gallery built from objects out of the museum stores.
- Founded
- 1899
- Operated by
- The Cheltenham Trust (registered charity 1158606)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free with a suggested donation of 5 pounds. Charges apply for some exhibitions and events.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building is fully accessible with a lift to every floor. Accessible toilets are on the first and second floors next to the lift, and all toilets are gender neutral. Wheelchair loan is available on request, and a floor plan and an access policy can be downloaded from the website. Disabled visitors can use bays outside Cheltenham Library next door for one hour, and Blue Badge holders may park for up to three hours on the double yellow lines directly in front of the building.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
The family-friendly Play Cafe has book boats, trails and activities with pens and clipboards, and a LEGO wall. The learning programme includes activities for families, and the World of Wonders gallery is aimed at children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cheltenham, Clarence Parade
The closest railway station is Cheltenham Spa. Stagecoach buses E and D run into the town centre in about 10 minutes to the stop Cheltenham, Clarence Parade, and the walk or cycle from the station takes about 25 minutes along the Honeybourne line path. The central coach station at Royal Well is a short walk away.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no dedicated car park. The closest public car parks are Cheltenham Walk (GL50 3PR) and the High Street (GL50 3HQ).
- Accessible parking
The Wilson is on Clarence Street between Boston Tea Party and Cheltenham Library, opposite St Matthew's Church, and about two minutes' walk from The Promenade.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The Wilson Cafe on the ground floor serves hot and cold drinks, pastries, cakes and snacks.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Several rooms can be hired for lunch or dinner events, workshops and meetings; enquiries go to the venue sales team.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guides for adults and children are being trialled for selected exhibitions and are collected on the ground floor. Talks and guided visits, including tours of the Arts and Crafts collection, can be booked through the learning team. Schools, colleges, home educators and community groups can book workshops in the Foyle Learning Centre. |
