St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington  

THE Arts Destination of the South Coast

Recently renovated modernised and refurbished including dramatic architectural exterior style which created a local stir, St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in New Street Lymington is now a key destination for both locals and visitors to the New Forest.

The museum explores the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast and offer a fascinating insight into the area for all ages, whilst the art exhibitions display top class and topical collections which we are fortunate to be able to enjoy here on our doorstep.

The Museum - a delightful and entertaining exploration of the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast

The museum visually and engagingly explores the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast, inspired by local pride, and supported by the local community - its collections and colourful, hands-on displays offer a fascinating insight into the area for all ages.

It's a great place to drop in when you have a spare hour or so with or without the children or grandchildren.  You'll see how Lymington developed as a market town and port, and how life evolved in the coastal strip to the south of the New Forest. You'll learn about the smugglers, salt makers and boat builders who have used the Solent shore. You'll get a taste of life in the area from prehistory to the present day including home life, industry, shops, trades, farming, leisure, sport, war, holidays and the local environment. It's a really fun exploration for all ages!

The museum contains an extensive photographic archive of the area and carries out educational work with schools, pre-schools, families, the elderly and special interest groups.

For more about the Museum click here. 

The Art Galleries –  a series of exciting art exhibitions throughout the year

Every 8 weeks there is a new exhibition at St Barbe!

The exhibition programme featuries a fantastically wide range of subjects and includes loans from the country's finest public and private collections together with the best of local art. The result is an opportunity to see  in Lymington a stunningly wide ranging variety of shows of national and regional significance.

Exhibitions have included individual artists of renown and themed exhibitions on topics including 18th century marine painting, the Women's Land Army and Home Lad Home - the story of horses in the First World War.

The galleries also showcase the best art from across the region including Kurt Jackson, Geoffrey Dashwood and Colin See-Paynton.

There have been group exhibitions by the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the Society of Wood Engravers, the Society of Wildlife Artists plus the popular Annual Open Exhibition.

Meanwhile local artists also exhibit during annual Open Exhibition - a highly competitive showcase for the best in art from the region.

For details of the current exhibition click here. 

Year-round fun and enjoyable education for all ages

For families there's always something going on especially in the school holidays. Find here details of what's on during the next school holidays here. 

There are also both formal programmes, including schools and informal, more family oriented learning programmes, find out more here about learning programmes.

All day refreshments and light meals in welcoming cafe

There's a spacious, light and airy and increasingly popular which offers complimentary wifi and delicious morning coffee, light lunches, and afternoon teas... whether or not you are visiting the museum or art gallery. More details here.

Explore the St Barbe Website to discover much more!

For lots more including opportunities to support the museum in a myriad of ways do explore the extensive St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery Website!

For opening times, ticket prices and other details click here.