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Tuesday 12pm - 5pm Wednesday 12pm - 5pm Thursday 12pm - 5pm Friday 12pm - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Willoughby Memorial Library and Art Gallery

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Willoughby Memorial Library and Art Gallery

🎨 Art Gallery & Library in the heart of Corby Glen, Lincolnshire
🖼️ Showcasing local & visiting artists
🕛 Open Tue–Sun | 12–5pm
🎟️ Free admission

Art Gallery and Library

04/09/2026

🏫 Did you know that the Willoughby Memorial Gallery used to be a school?

The Willoughby Memorial Trust is housed in the historic Read’s Grammar School, a distinguished late 17th-century building founded in 1673 and now a Grade I listed structure. Restored in 1965 and carefully adapted for contemporary use, the building provides a unique setting where historic character and cultural activity meet.

Come and visit this wonderful building for free this season.

📍 Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery
Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen, NG33 4NL
🕛 Tuesday–Sunday, 12–5pm
🎟️ Free admission

📸

30/08/2026

Coming soon to the Willoughby Memorial Gallery ...

🌸 A Love of Colour by Valerie Rath and Finding Joy in our Landscape by Rachel Larder !

Here is a sneak peak of the fantastic artwork soon coming to the gallery...

26/08/2026

✨ Have you noticed our new logo?

Our new branding finds its inspiration in two main sources:

Firstly , our important historical connection with nearby Grimsthorpe Castle, given that the gallery was founded in 1965 by the late Lord Ancaster, in memory of his son. Secondly, we had to include the stunning circular window which takes centre stage on the front of the building. This iconic window serves as inspiration for many artists, and has always been associated with the gallery, so it was impossible not to include.

On your next visit to the gallery, don't miss the beautiful art that begins with the architecture of the building, before you even step inside!

📸

24/08/2026

🎨 Last Week to See: In Reference Too

This is the final week to catch In Reference Too, a fascinating and unique exhibition inspired by the Willoughby Memorial Reference Library.

Curated by Soraya Smithson, the exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists whose works respond to the library, its collection and the ideas it holds.

Soraya describes herself as an ‘object maker’, with a wide-ranging practice spanning print, collage, artist books, ceramics, textiles, painting and film.

Featuring artists:
Andrew Bracey, Andrew Falconer, Caroline Penn, Claire Morris-Wright, Kate Fortune-Jones, Kate Genever, Meredith Kenton, Serena Smith, Soraya Smithson and Sue Baker Kenton.

Don’t miss your chance to see this intriguing exhibition before it closes!

20/08/2026

🏰 Did you know that the Willoughby Memorial Gallery has a very strong connection to Grimshtorpe Castle?

The gallery was founded in 1965 by the late Lord Ancaster, from nearby Grimsthorpe Castle, in memory of his son, Timothy, Lord Willoughby de Eresby, who died in 1963, aged 27. The late Lord Willoughby de Eresby was a great collector of art and one of the first shows in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery was an exhibition of his art collection.

If you are planning on visiting Grimsthorpe Castle, the gallery is only a 5 minute drive away, in the beautiful village of Corby Glen. Why not complete your day by visiting both! Make sure to check our opening times in advance.

20/08/2026

🎨 Artist Spotlight: In Reference Too

In Reference Too is an exhibition of artworks made in response to Willoughby Memorial Reference Library, featuring a variety of artists, and curated by Soraya Smithson. Seeing herself as an ‘object maker’ , Soraya Smithson’s art practice is diverse, and she produces produces prints, collage, books, ceramics, sewn pieces, paintings and films.

The artists featured are : Andrew Bracey, Andrew Falconer, Caroline Penn, Claire Morris-Wright, Kate Fortune-Jones, Kate Genever, Meredith Kenton, Serena Smith, Soraya Smithson, Sue Baker Kenton

14/08/2026

Reintroducing The Willoughby Memorial Gallery 💙

The Willoughby Memorial Gallery, in Corby Glen near Grantham, is currently open to visitors and admission is free! Founded in 1965 by the late Lord Ancaster in memory of his son, Timothy Lord Willoughby de Eresby, The Willoughby Memorial Trust is dedicated to promoting the arts, whilst supporting learning and the local community.

🎟️ How to visit?

Our annual exhibition season is from March to November. Visitors to the gallery can enjoy a variety of art from a range of talented artists throughout this period, with exhibitions changing roughly every 3 weeks. The gallery also houses its own collection of art, as well as a library. Entry to the gallery is free, and donations are welcomed to help us to preserve the gallery for future generations.

⏰ Opening hours

The gallery is open Tuesday - Sunday, 12 noon - 5pm.

✨ Want to find out more?

More information about the gallery and exhibitions is available on our website : willoughbygallery.com. Follow the link in our bio and on our story!

📸 John Gunn

12/08/2026

In Reference Too is now on display at the Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery until 2 September, bringing together the work of a group of artists and a writer inspired by the fascinating collections of the Willoughby Memorial Trust Library.

Drawing on books, maps, manuscripts and objects, the artists have explored themes including medieval manuscripts, natural history, Lincolnshire’s rural heritage, aviation, forgotten stories and the library itself. Their responses take many forms, including ceramics, textiles, embroidery, artists’ books, drawing, installation, performance and text.

The exhibition offers an opportunity to see the library’s collections from a completely new perspective and discover the unexpected connections between its treasures and contemporary artistic practice.

📍 Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery
Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen, NG33 4NL
📅 12 August – 2 September
🕛 Tuesday–Sunday, 12–5pm
🎟️ Free admission

Come and explore the stories, ideas and artworks inspired by our remarkable library collection.

05/08/2026

Coming Soon : In Reference Too

From 12 August – 2 September, the Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery presents In Reference Too, a unique group exhibition inspired by the remarkable collections of the Willoughby Memorial Trust Library.

Artists Kate Genever, Kate Fortune Jones, Soraya Smithson, Claire Morris-Wright, Serena Smith, Sue Baker Kenton, Caroline Penn, Meredith Kenton and Andrew Bracey, together with writer Andrew Falconer, have created new work in response to the library's books, maps, manuscripts and objects.

Exploring themes from medieval manuscripts and natural history to Lincolnshire's rural heritage, aviation history and forgotten stories, the exhibition brings together ceramics, textiles, embroidery, artists' books, drawing, installation and more. It offers a fresh and contemporary perspective on the library's rich collections and the stories they continue to inspire.

📍 Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery
Moreley's Lane, Corby Glen, NG33 4NL
🗓 12 August – 2 September
🕛 Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–5 pm
🎟 Free admission

We look forward to welcoming you to discover this fascinating exhibition.

Address

11 Moreleys Lane
Grantham
NG334NL

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 5pm
Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 5pm
Friday	12pm - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 5pm
Sunday	12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+441476552304

Website

http://www.willoughbygallery.com/

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