Art
The urban areas provide access to many high quality facilities for
artists, and the admirers of their work. Below are the galleries
that are easily accessible from the Marston Vale Line by foot and
by public transport.
Bedford
Bedford plays host to several different art galleries
and collections, many of which are part of museums. In the centre
of town, the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery plays host to many different
exhibitions throughout the year, as well as having its own
collection of watercolours, prints, and drawings. The decorative
gallery also has excellent examples of ceramics, glass, silver,
textiles, and lace. Works from artists like Gainsborough, Picasso,
Constable, and Turner are on display here. The gallery forms part
of a Museum, a re-created Victorian mansion. If you are more
interested in photography, film, and digital imaging, then the BCA
Gallery is the perfect place for you. Their gallery on the High
Street is host to a number of exhibitions and workshops, where you
can learn all about the 'art of the lens'.
These galleries are within easy walking and cycling distance of
Bedford St Johns station. Directions are given below. Please note that the Cecil Higgins Gallery is
closed until 2009 for refurbishment.
Away from the town centre, there are also other galleries for you
to enjoy. Bromham Mill provides an excellent opportunity for local
artists to display their wares in attractive surroundings, along
with a craft exhibit. This is just one of the many things to do
whilst at the mill. In Cardington, The Gallery is a light and
comfortable area which displays the work of Bedford Designer and
Makers. There are resident potters, sculptor, and an artist, and
you can purchase works of art if you wish.
Plan your day out
1. Contact the Art Galleries for opening times and other
information - 01234 818670 (BCA Gallery) 01234 824330 (Bromham
Mill) 01234 211222 (Cecil Higgins Art Gallery) 01234 741677 (The
Gallery)
2. Plan your train journey and buy tickets – You can
check the train times and buy tickets using the Quick Times and
Tickets box to the right. The nearest stations are Bedford St Johns
(walk, cycle, and bus) and Bedford (bus).
3. Plan your onward journey from the station –
Directions by foot and cycle to the BCA Gallery and the Cecil
Higgins Art Gallery are given below. You can also use the below
journey planner to plan your journey by bus to Bromham Mill (from
Bedford) and The Gallery (from Bedford St Johns). All galleries are
in the
Bedford PlusBus zone.
For BCA and Cecil Higgins galleries, get off at Bedford St Johns
station. Leave the station via the town centre exit. Walk across
the car park, then head left along Melbourne Street. At the end of
the road, head left up Kingsway. Cross over at the traffic lights,
and head right down Cauldwell Street. At the end of the road, cross
over the traffic lights, and head left up St Mary's Street. The
BCA Gallery is on the right hand side on the High Street,
just after the bridge. For the Cecil Higgins Gallery, take
the second right after the bridge. Walk along Castle Lane to the
gallery.
Location Map of Bedford Art Galleries
Milton Keynes
If you love
public art, then you are spoilt for choice in Milton Keynes, with
several notable pieces of art throughout the city. There are over
200 pieces of public art in the city, from the infamous Concrete
Cows (currently in thecentre:MK) to Willen Maze, you are spoilt for
choice. By buying a PlusBus ticket from Bletchley, you can explore
all of these pieces of artwork easily, and cheaply. Simply log onto
MK Web's art pages for more information.
Also in Milton Keynes is the Milton Keynes Gallery. Whilst not
playing host to any permanent exhibitions, the Gallery is
purpose-built to provide space for free temporary exhibitions of
contemporary art, situated in the heart of Milton Keynes.
Plan your day out
1. Contact the Milton Keynes Gallery for opening times and other
information - 01908 676 900
2. If you are planning to visit an outside piece of art, check
the weather below
3. Plan your train journey and buy tickets – You can
check the train times and buy tickets using the Quick Times and
Tickets box to the right. The nearest stations are Bow Brickhill
(cycle) and Bletchley (bus).
4. Plan your onward journey from the station – Use the
MK Redways map below to plan your journey by bicycle. You can also
use the below journey planner to plan your trip to the Milton
Keynes Gallery by public transport. All art attractions are in the
Milton Keynes PlusBus zone.
Location Map of Milton Keynes Art Gallery
MK Redways Map (PDF, 3mb)
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