What To Do This Bank Holiday Weekend: Museums & Exhibitions

Now that galleries and museums are opening up across the country, we thought we’d share what we think looks good to go and see this bank holiday weekend. Whether you’re into art deco, modern craftmanship or just want to hang out with some plants, we’ve found some great places to visit around England.

See our list of must-see exhibitions and galleries below and note the places you might be able to spot some W&M!

The Amongst the Trees exhibition at London’s Southbank Centre takes a look at the role that trees play in relation to human life and imagination. Featuring sculptures, photography and paintings, this is a wonderful way to get to know more about the complexity and importance of trees.

The Southbank Centre are a W&M stockist!

For fashion fans, the V&A’s Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition is a must see. Looking at the social, aesthetic and cultural significance of the garment, this exhibition looks at the history from its establishment in Japan in the 1660s to the development of it into wardrobes around the globe. Also, check the V&A gift shop for visually stimulating accompanying materials.

Looking simultaneously at the works of Bill Brandt and Henry Moore, this exhibition at the Hepworth Wakefield combines over 200 pieces (some well known and some rare) to explore the crossovers in their themes, interests and discoveries such as the human body, society, labour and the British landscape.

The Hepworth Wakefield are a W&M stockist!

If you still haven’t been able to get to the coast this year, the Art Deco By The Sea exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, which has been extended until the end of September, might just quench that thirst. Looking at the impact of the 1920s Art Deco movement on the UK tourist and holiday scene, the exhibition showcases and celebrates all the elements of entertainment that you find by the sea; from cinemas and hotels to pleasure rides and amusements.

The Sainsbury Centre are a W&M stockist!

Manchester Art Gallery has a lot going on, all of which is free! The Jerwood Makers Open caught our eye. An exhibition that spotlights and celebrates the importance of making and materials in the contemporary art space, looking at more unknown arts and art collectives. The gallery’s general collection is also open, hosting a huge selection of fine art, decorative art and costume artefacts.

The Barbican Conservatory is here not only to put our attempts at keeping plants alive during lockdown to shame, but to act as the perfect place to pop into and feel like you’re in a tropical jungle. Full of around 1,500 species of plants from around the world (as well as fish and terrapins) the Conservatory is a great place to feel like you’re in your own slice of paradise.

The Barbican Centre are a W&M stockist!

The British Museum is reopening this week, and with artefacts over 200 million years old, you can easily spend a good few hours looking around the museum’s main collection. Top on our list here though is Grayson Perry: The Tomb of The Unknown Craftsman. This piece combines hand-crafted replicas of British Museum pieces in a large ship sculpture.


If you spot any W&M jewellery in any gift shops or galleries across the country, let us know by tagging #WAMinthewild on Instagram!