Guernsey Museum & Art GalleryGuernsey Museum & Art Gallery
Located in Candie Gardens, a late 19th
century pleasure garden in St Peter Port (Guernsey's main urban area), this is the
headquarters of the museum service. When it was opened in 1978, it was one of very few purpose-built post-war museums in Britain. The design cleverly incorporates a cast iron
bandstand from the garden into the structure and won a (British) Museum of the Year Award
in 1979.
The present permanent displays interpreting the natural and human history of the
island will be augmented by a new permanent art gallery early in the 2012 season. The art gallery replaces a section which previously showcased the varied historic collections upon
which the museum was founded. The building also houses our main temporary
exhibition space - the Brian White Gallery. There is also
an audio-visual/lecture theatre (shared with La Société
Guernesiaise) and a shop selling a range of publications and souvenirs. Café
Victoria, located in the bandstand itself, serves light meals and refreshments
in a setting with a wonderful view over the islands.
We have recently begun a programme of changes to the facilities at Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery which will ultimately see the main permanent displays renewed, the creation of a Discovery Room for activities and the creation of a new permanent art gallery. Like the smaller space it will replace, the new art gallery will bear the name of the late Rona Cole, first director of the museum service. The new Discovery Room will replace the Lukis Room, as a flexible use area and site of hands-on activities for all ages. It will also contain a 'Cabinet of Curiosities' display drawing on some of the museum's historic collections.
Open daily 10.00 - 17.00 hr., (closes at 16.00 hr. 1 November - 26 March.) closed 25th
December and for most of January.
Admission charge.
Visitors with disabilities may like to consult our Disabled Access leaflet
Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery is an accredited visitor attraction in both Guernsey and UK schemes:
