Exhibitions

All Year

Paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings

The walls of Castle House are sumptuously adorned with both well-known pictures by Sir Alfred Munnings and lesser seen sketches and studies taken from the artist’s studio when he died in 1959.

Thickly painted impressionistic scenes of ponies standing still against the bright East Anglian sunshine jostle for position with smoothly painted racing thoroughbreds, jockeys a-blaze in brightly coloured silks.

Delicate pencil portraits of Indian soldiers returning, wearily, from the Western Front pull at the soul in stark contrast to the amusing cartoons which give rise to a small chuckle.

Sir Alfred Munnings’ former studio stands in the grounds of Castle House with ponies looking on from the paddocks nearby. The studio still contains his props and painting tools.

2nd April to 8th June 2025

Technicolour Dickens:
The Living Image of Charles Dickens

2nd April to 8th June

From the Charles Dickens Museum

The Munnings Art Museum is delighted to be bringing a special exhibition of stunning and unique colourised photographs from the Charles Dickens Museum in London which unpick the power of the writer’s image. The colourised portraits were commissioned by the Charles Dickens Museum in 2020 from artist and photographer Oliver Clyde to bring Dickens to new, ‘technicolour’ life. Large scale, and in vivid colour, you will see Dickens like you have never seen him before.

“Were I forced to make a choice between books and pictures in my home, without hesitation I would say ‘Give me books.’ This is no sudden decision, but a well-considered one. I could, if I had to, live without pictures but without a book I might exist – but not live in the full sense of the word.” Sir Alfred Munnings

The special exhibition is prefaced with a display of paintings and drawings by Sir Alfred Munnings which illustrate his love of stories, both in prose and poetry. Dickens, Tennyson, Longfellow, Surtees and others exerted an influence over the art he produced, especially as a young man.

Enjoy 12 months unlimited visits to the museum with our Year Pass!


Year Pass admits one during advertised opening hours. FREE guided tours and discounts on selected events.