New Exhibitions Unveiled At The Treasure Houses Of England For 2013

From artistic masterpieces to fascinating historical exhibitions, The Treasure Houses of England look set to deliver a captivating programme of exciting events this year.

BOND IN MOTION - Beaulieu

Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is proud to announce that it is extending its hugely popular and critically acclaimed BOND IN MOTION exhibition (until 5 January 2014) - the exclusive official showcase of 50 original James Bond vehicles, including cars, boats, motorbikes and jets.  From the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldeneye to the Phantom III Rolls-Royce in Goldfinger, expect a bevy of incredible vehicles straight from the silver screen celebrating the brilliant Bond franchise in crowd-pleasing style.

Film is celebrated at Blenheim Palace (9 February – 1 April) with its special exhibition: “Lights, Camera, Action” – which is set to give an insider’s guide to the many film and TV productions that have been hosted by the palace. Visitors will be able to see samples, props and costumes of films including Entrapment (20th Century Fox, 1999), Hamlet (Castle Rock, Kenneth Brannagh, 1996) and Bollywood's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (Yash Raj films, 2001), to documentaries including BBCs Climbing Britain and ITVs Lewis. From Gulliver’s Travels (2010) to The Young Victoria (2008) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), discover the key role that that palace has played throughout its extensive career on the big screen, with various activities, talks, tours and workshops, including family-friendly films showings over February Half Term.

Ancestral home to Gold medal winning Olympian David Cecil, Lord Burghley – Burghley House continues to celebrate the Olympic year with a generous gift from Lord Coe – his own 2012 Olympic torch, which joins the original Olympic torch from the 1948 London Games in the Olympic Corridor display that has been especially expanded for the 2013 season. The exhibition to be held within the Treasury Gallery for 2013 focuses on Burghley’s remarkable and beautiful collections of Japanese Lacquer wares.  The special collection was founded in the late 17th century and added to by members of the Cecil family during the following 150 years. 

Chatsworth presents a packed programme of exhibitions, beginning with the brilliant British artist, William Turnbull (10 March-30 June), whose paintings, drawings and sculptures will adorn the North Sketch Gallery and garden; and the Old Master Drawings Cabinet (10 March-31 July), which showcases a series of landscapes by Old Masters such as Rembrandt. Botanical artist and sister of the Duke of Devonshire, Emma Tennant exhibits her watercolours in the New Gallery (24 March-30 June), while the bicentenary of the publication of Pride & Prejudice is celebrated via A Georgian Summer (27 July-29 August) – a special exhibition in the New Gallery and schedule of garden events. In the autumn, Beyond Limits (9 September-27 October), Sotheby’s exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the garden returns for its 8th year, whilst an exhibition of contemporary applied art entitled Modern Makers will be showcased in the New Gallery (18 September- 23 December). 

Duty Calls: Castle Howard in Time of War - While generations of Howard sons went  to fight overseas the impact of war was often more powerfully felt at home.  Between 1815 and 1944 five Howards were killed in action, and for the family war was a time of anxiety as well as bereavement; this was an experience shared with staff and tenants, many of whom are commemorated on war memorials in estate villages. Belgian refugees, enemy prisoners, evacuees, fire, crashed aircraft, and horses commandeered for the front meant that the impact of war was never far away from Castle Howard. From Waterloo to World War II, this exhibition explores the stories of Castle Howard in the time of war. On displayfrom 25 May 2013 to end 2014.

Harewood House displays an extraordinary exhibition of the ordinary.  Art collector, David Usborne’sObjectivity – The Art of Useful Things (16 February-1 September), honours utilitarian items that have a simple beauty  becoming ‘accidental masterpieces’ of modern sculpture.  In Cloud Country (29 March-30 June) is guest curated by Iwona Blazwick of the Whitechapel Gallery and takes inspiration from Harewood’s landscape.  It is a unique anthology that catalogues the work of some of the most acclaimed artists from the 18th-21st centuries, including John Constable, Henry Moore, John Sell Cotman, Giuseppe Penone and Rachel Whiteread who are all united by their intriguing depictions and abstractions of nature.  

Photograph by John Young 1962
Holkham Ballgown Exhibition

Holkham Hall’s ‘Glamour and Gowns’ presents breathtaking ballgowns by society dressmaker and Viscountess Coke’s mother, Belinda Bellville, also co-founder of renowned couture label Bellville Sassoon. The Statue Gallery will see an elegant array of dresses and ball gowns take centre stage alongside drawings, patterns and photographs that chart the fascinating path of couture and Belinda Bellville’s dazzling career over the past fifty years.  The Glamour and Gowns exhibition can be viewed as part of your visit to Holkham Hall which is open every Sunday, Monday and Thursday
(12-4pm) from 25 Mar – 31 Oct.

Woburn Abbey’s Artbeat (29 March-31 August) returns for its fourth year to offer a spellbinding collection of international sculptures set amongst the glorious grounds and gardens of the Abbey, where visitors can wander the trail to appreciate over 60 outstanding works of inimitable art.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House alongside the Royal Academy of Arts will be staging an exhibition of sculptural works by the academicians of the RA in 2013.  Specific pieces will be set throughout the West Garden and North Front against the backdrop of the historic Jacobean house.


The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today.

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