Galleries
Showcasing established and emerging local artists and crafters
Since opening The Castle to the public in 2007, our art galleries in The Willoughby Gallery, The Blanchminster Room and The Studio have developed a varied and respected exhibition programme, earning a reputation for quality shows.
The programme is specifically curated to provide a showcase for established and emerging professional local artists and craftspeople extending to those based in the wider West Country. Additionally, we support and showcase the many talents of our local community with schools, specific local interest groups and art and craft organisations, all well represented in our annual programme. We pride ourselves on supporting Cornish and West Country based artists and their artistic development. We aim for exhibitions that you will find inspirational and enjoyable.
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Our main art galleries can be found on the first floor of The Castle with The Studio on the ground. For those people who are unable to negotiate the stairs, youâll find a fully accessible lift immediately to your left inside the main entrance to The Castle. We also have a permanent paintings gallery with a selection of local historical significant fine artwork displayed on the first-floor landing in the Heritage Centre.
Our exhibition programme is not confined to any one style or medium, consequently the work on show has ranged from abstract to figurative; landscape to representational in oils, acrylic, watercolour or pastel; printmaking to photography; furniture makers to hand-crafted contemporary footwear.
Willoughby Gallery
The Willoughby Gallery is the larger of our exhibition rooms. Light, spacious and airy, of generous Victorian proportions, with a period fireplace and overlooking The Castle lawn, The Willoughby Gallery benefits from good natural light, complemented by specific electric lighting. Painted white and fitted with hanging rails throughout, it presents as a fantastic commanding yet elegant space. Patrons of CafÃĐ Limelight have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the creativity on display and become inspired whilst enjoying their lunch, as The Willoughby Gallery provides further seating for the cafÃĐ.
Blanchminster Room
The Blanchminister Room offers a smaller, more intimate space for shows. With two large windows overlooking the driveway and front lawn, painted white and fitted with hanging rails and spot lighting throughout, it is perfect for smaller exhibitions.
Visiting Us?
Our annual Gallery programme is free entry and with two beautiful rooms full of exquisite artwork and crafts there is always something to admire and even purchase! However, as a Heritage Centre, we also use these rooms for events and sometimes these spaces become unavailable for the day. Please check out our What’s On page to see our online calendar so you can plan your visit.
We offer all our gallery spaces for private hire and we may occasionally need to temporarily close a gallery for a private event or wedding.
Please contact The Castle before your visit to check any gallery closures in the event of such closures.
If you are interested in exhibiting at The Castle please contact our Galleries Coordinator at thecastle@bude-stratton.gov.uk who will be happy to take you through all that we can offer.