Stanley Spencer Gallery

‘The Summer exhibition ‘Stanley Spencer Prophet of Love and Work’ opens on Friday March 21st 2008 until 2nd November 2008. The Gallery will be open daily until November 2^nd. (10.30 – 17.30). The Gallery is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, 11.00 – 16.30 during the winter months.

The Stanley Spencer Gallery - the following information is on this page, click on the heading in which you are interested or alternatively scroll down the page..

Self Portrait

Other Spencer Links and Books

About the Gallery

The Spencer Gallery opened in 1962, is unique as the only gallery in Britain devoted exclusively to an artist in the village where he was born and spent most of his working life. To Spencer, Cookham was the scene of heavenly visitations and its influence can be seen when touring the village. Set in the heart of the village he immortalized, the gallery occupies the former Victorian Methodist Chapel where Spencer was taken as a child to worship.

Not far from "Fernlea", the cottage where Spencer was born and lived in Cookham High Street, the gallery was opened in 1962 as a memorial through the effort of the people of Cookham and support from far beyond. It can be found at the end of the High Street (opposite Bel and the Dragon pub) The gallery is self-supporting and exhibits are changed during the year. It contains a permanent collection of his work, together with letters, documents, memorabilia, and the pram in which Spencer wheeled his equipment when painting landscapes. It also displays important works on long-term loan, and mounts a winter and summer exhibition each year. Over a thousand works have been shown since the gallery opened.

Please sign our Cookham guest book, we would love to have your comments.

NEWS UPDATE (top)

Stanley Spencer Gallery 3000th visitor

When Ian White stepped through the door at the Stanley Spencer Gallery on Friday morning 26 October 2007 he became the 3000^th visitor since the gallery was reopened following it’s Ł900,000 refurbishment. Stuart Conlin, who chairs the Management Committee of the Gallery said that, since reopening in September he was delighted with the comments from visitors which had been overwhelmingly positive about the changes. Visitor numbers had exceeded all expectation. It was a family affair as Mr White was in Cookham with his son Charles and daughter Rosalind on a visit from Canterbury . They had dropped Mum off on a course at the Institute of Marketing at Moor Hall, and had been told by their grandmother in Salisbury that a visit to the Gallery was a ‘must’. Just shows how Stanley and the Gallery continue to put Cookham on the map!

The Gallery moves to winter opening hours of Saturday and Sundays only , 11.00 to 4.30. (as of Nov 1^st)

Stanley Spencer Gallery Opens in Cookham After Ł800,000 Refurbishment (24 Hour Museum)

Spencer Gallery Official Opening

The Friends (click here if you would like to know more about the Friends) (top)

The gallery is self-supporting and receives no endowment. It is given valuable support by the Friends who also arrange visits and events of interest throughout the year.

If you would like to help the gallery by joining the Friends, details and application forms may be obtained by contacting the gallery or CLICK HERE and you can print the form out on your own printer.

Donors (top)

The gallery has received a number of works as gifts or bequests from generous donors. This includes the Barbara Karmel Collection and also the recently acquired View of Cookham Bridge. The Friends have also contributed to the continuing growth of the collection.

Group visits (top)

Groups wishing to visit the gallery should contact the gallery directly. School and student parties are particularly welcome and all ages from year one are encouraged to visit. A teachers' pack and student desk facilities are available and appropriate speakers can be arranged to suit the needs of any age group.

Opening Times (top)

Open daily, including weekends, until 2nd November 2008 (10.30 -5.30pm)

Weekends and Bank Holidays, November-Easter 2009 (11-4.30pm)

NB Unlike many national art galleries, the Stanley Spencer Gallery remains open for the Christmas and New Year period.

Admission Charges (top)

Adults (£3), Concessions for students, senior citizens, Advantage cardholders (Ł2), children free. Groups Ł30 plus admission charges. School groups free.

Gallery Shop (click here for a list of stock items available) (top)
The shop stocks books, facsimile drawings, colour reproductions, postcards etc. Either phone Di Benson on 01628 471885 or e-mail her at diana.benson@stanleyspencer.org.uk if you wish to buy postcards or unframed prints by mail order.

How to find us (top)

Click on map for larger image

Transport (top)

Maidenhead 3 miles, London 28 miles, Windsor 9 miles
There is a car park nearby. There are also trains and buses to Cookham.
Refreshments can be found in the village.
The gallery has disabled access.

Contacts (top)

The Kings Hall, High Street, Cookham Tel: +44 (0)1628-471885 info@stanleyspencer.org.uk