North Hertfordshire Museum

Located in the heart of Hitchin, the North Hertfordshire Museum welcomes visitors to explore and learn about the rich history of the district. Our museum is free to enter, and there is no need to book your visit in advance. We are proud to be a dog-friendly institution, so feel free to bring your well-behaved pets along on a lead.

The North Hertfordshire Museum features four main galleries, each offering unique insights into various aspects of local history:

• The Discovering North Hertfordshire Gallery: Delve into the district's history, from its geological past to the present day, as you journey through this captivating exhibition.
• The Exhibition Gallery: Engage with a range of thought-provoking and educational temporary exhibitions, which are updated regularly.
• The Living in North Hertfordshire Gallery: Discover how local people's lives have evolved over thousands of years, with a focus on the everyday experiences of those who have called this area home.
• The Terrace Gallery: Delight in a diverse collection of art and heritage, with a special emphasis on people and the impact they have had on the region. The Arches, a part of this gallery, features smaller displays of art and local heritage, providing a more intimate setting for exploration.

Our facilities are wheelchair-accessible and include accessible toilets on both floors of the museum.

Cafe and Refreshments

When it's time for a break, our on-site cafe offers a variety of beverages, snacks, and light meals for your enjoyment. In order to maintain the integrity of the museum's collections and prevent potential damage, we kindly ask that you refrain from bringing food or drink into the galleries. If you would like to bring a packed lunch for a school group, please let us know in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Accessibility

At the North Hertfordshire Museum, we are committed to making our facilities accessible and enjoyable for all visitors. If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.

Our Exhibitions

Currently, the museum is hosting an exhibition titled 'Camden Town to Garden City: work by Gilman, Gore and Ratcliffe' from the 9th of March to the 30th of June 2024. This major exhibition features paintings and drawings by three prominent members of the Camden Town Group who resided in Letchworth during the years leading up to the First World War. With loans from museums across the country, including Tate, the Government Art Collection, and the National Museum of Wales, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to view works by Harold Gilman, Frederick Spencer Gore, and William Ratcliffe.

The focus of the exhibition lies in the paintings and drawings these artists created while living in Letchworth, a groundbreaking Garden City. Many of these works have not been shown in North Herts for over a century, making this exhibition a truly remarkable event for the local community and beyond.