New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery is situated within the historic New Walk area of the city. In 1849 the Literary and Philosophical Society formally presented to the town its various collections, which have grown and developed over the last 150 years into one of the premier museums in the region.

 

Living close by (118 New Walk) and passionate about nature, the seventeen-year-old Ernest Gimson fiercely objected to Alderman Kempson’s request in the Leicester Daily Post for local huntsmen to extend the museum’s collection of stuffed birds and animals. Ernest attacked museums for waging ‘a war of extermination’.

 

The exhibition is on display in the Museum’s extensive second floor galleries. A number of major shows have been held over the last two years including the Attenborough collection of Picasso ceramics, the Ancient Greeks on loan from the British Museum and a major exhibition devoted to the Leicester born playwright, Joe Orton.

 

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery is fully accessible and has disabled parking available and accessible toilets. Guide dogs are welcome and induction loop is available.

 

The museum has limited parking spaces but nearby on-street metered parking. An NCP car park is a short walk away.

 

The museum café serves hot and cold drinks and snacks.