The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum - FREE entry

Come and enjoy displays of archaeology, social history and ethnography that tells the story of Bedfordshire’s development over time, alongside wonderful and varied collections of fine and decorative arts.

In our temporary exhibition spaces; “Going to Town” celebrates artists’ views of Bedford and the surrounding area, highlighting their fascination of the town and River Great Ouse. The “Airships Dreams: Escaping Gravity” exhibition explores Bedford's airship heritage and highlights the amazing stories of those involved in its development through an innovative digital artwork and community sourced displays.

There are also Free Family I-Spy Trails for families to enjoy on their visit, along with our new river trail “Explore the Great Ouse”. 

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/WhatsOnAtTheHiggins

 

How to get to The Higgins 

Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to get to the Higgins Bedford, designed with the help of Autism Bedfordshire.

Accessiblity 

To help you plan your visit you can find information about all our facilities and who to contact if you need to know more.

 

General Access

The Higgins Bedford has step free access to all levels. There are three wheelchair-accessible toilets. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and assistance dogs are all very welcome in the museum. If you’re attending a talk, tour or other ticketed event with a carer or support worker, the carer or support worker will not be charged. For our holiday family activities, tickets are for participating children only.

 

Disabled Parking

There are four parking spaces at the entrance of the art gallery and museum for visitors with Accessible Parking Permits or Blue Badges. Find out more about the Blue Badge Scheme here > https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/disabled-people-parking-bays/

 

Find out more about parking when visiting Bedford here > https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/

 

Wheelchair Users

There are two (adult) wheelchairs available to borrow. Ask a member of staff at reception if you would like assistance. The galleries are spacious and well-lit with displays at different heights.

 

D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Visitors

Our reception areas are equipped with induction loops, which correspond to the 'T' position on most hearing aids. There are also induction loops in our meeting rooms, activity rooms and in the Castle Room. A portable loop is available for use for talks, tours, school groups and special events. We are working with Access Bedford to make more of our events accessible – keep an eye on the website or Facebook page for news of upcoming BSL talks, tours and events.

 

Blind and Partially Sighted Visitors

Large print captions for all of our exhibitions and displays are available throughout the building.

 

Families with Members with Autistic Spectrum Conditions

We have been working with Autism Bedford on an Autism Friendly Guide to The Higgins Bedford. Pick up a copy at reception or download it here >

 

For Families and Young Children

There is a baby-change facility on the ground floor which is separate to both the female and male toilets.