Scarborough Art Gallery

Scarborough Art Gallery houses the borough’s permanent collection of fine art, which has grown through gifts, bequests and purchases since its beginnings in 1947, reflecting the vibrant mix of the community and its cultural heritage.

The gallery, originally called Crescent House, was built as a family home in the late 1840s by local solicitor John Uppleby and has had a fascinating history. This Grade II* Italianate villa is one of the finest buildings in Scarborough, set in the beautiful Crescent Gardens in the centre of town.

As well as the permanent collection, the Art Gallery hosts regular temporary exhibitions, giving us an opportunity to show some of the fine collections we hold, and to display work by local, national and internationally renowned artists, as well as interesting touring work from around the UK. Visitors typically spend up to 1 hour in the gallery but some stay for longer. (Last entry 30 minutes before closing).  Please see access information directly on the Scarborough Museums and Galleries website.

Admission Prices:

£5 Annual Pass - admission to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum

Free - Under 18s and registered carers.

Exhibitions:

Christopher P. Wood - Red Riding and The Brothers Grimm

20 September 2025 - 7 February 2026

Folklore meets art in this enchanting exhibition of works by acclaimed British artist Christopher P. Wood. Inspired by the haunting beauty and darkness of the Grimm Fairy Tales, this exhibition of paintings, collages, and etchings, reimagines classic stories through Wood’s inventive works of dreamlike landscapes, expressive figures, and a touch of the surreal.

Alongside, visitors can explore a selection of objects from the Clarke Charm Collection, a fascinating display of charms and amulets collected by William Clarke, reflecting folk beliefs in protection, healing, and magic. The exhibition blends Wood’s mystical art with Clarke’s historic charms, offering a unique look at storytelling, superstition, and creativity. A Goldmark Gallery exhibition.

Atkinson Grimshaw: At Home in Yorkshire

2025 until August 2026

Discover Atkinson Grimshaw’s connections to Yorkshire in this special display of paintings by the Leeds-born artist.

Best known for his nocturnal and urban landscapes, you’ll see five works from the Scarborough Museums collection alongside two of Grimshaw’s moonlit Leeds scenes – ‘In the Gloaming’ and ‘Silver Moonlight’ – on loan to us from Mercer Art Gallery.

Echoes from the Past: Scarborough’s Lost Aquarium

20 September 2025 - 7 February 2026

Discover the story of Scarborough’s spectacular but forgotten Aquarium and People’s Palace, later Gala Land, in this immersive exhibition at Scarborough Art Gallery.

Opened in 1877, the Aquarium was a pioneering attraction, blending exotic architecture with entertainment. From musical acts to alligator pools and a legendary swim by Captain Matthew Webb, it was a place of wonder. Though demolished in 1968, its legacy lives on.

Using motion-tracked headsets and archival images, Echoes from the Past recreates the sounds and stories of the original site.

Created by Dr Kevin Corstorphine and Dr Matt Barnard, and supported by the Ferens Educational Trust, this experience invites you to explore Scarborough’s history in a whole new way.