Berwick has a fascinating connection to the renowned Burrell Collection, and a new exhibition is bringing that story to life.
Berwick’s Own Burrell Collection – A Gift to the Town opens at the Granary Gallery on 31 October 2026, offering visitors the chance to discover a selection of artworks gifted to Berwick by renowned art collectors Sir William Burrell and Lady Constance Burrell, alongside the story of their relationship with the town.
Curated by The Maltings and a team of Berwick Barracks volunteers, the exhibition celebrates an important part of Berwick’s cultural heritage and offers a first glimpse of works that will later feature in the new museum and gallery at Berwick Barracks, due to open in autumn 2027.
A generous gift with a lasting legacy
Sir William Burrell had strong family connections to Northumberland and lived at Hutton Castle, just outside of Berwick. His relationship with the town led to a significant act of generosity in the 1940s, when he and Lady Constance donated a selection of paintings and other objects to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Burrell also helped establish the town’s first art gallery, which opened in 1949, leaving a lasting mark on Berwick’s cultural life.
The exhibition explores this legacy, bringing together artworks and local history to tell the story of the people behind the collection and the role their generosity played in shaping the town’s artistic heritage.
A community effort to uncover Berwick’s story
The exhibition has been shaped over the past year by collaboration, bringing together the knowledge and research of The Maltings visual arts team and local volunteers to uncover more about the Burrell’s, their collection and its connection to Berwick.
For the volunteers involved, the project has been an opportunity to explore the town’s history while helping share it with a wider audience.
“I have always been interested in the arts and in retirement moved to Berwick. I have come to love the town and curating this exhibition with The Maltings and its team of volunteers has given me the ideal opportunity to showcase Berwick to its visitors. “It has been an interesting and rewarding experience involving researching the Burrell’s life, the collection given to the town and learning what it takes to put on an exhibition such as this. I hope our visitors are pleased with the results.”
Volunteer CuratorTheir contribution highlights the value of local knowledge and community involvement in bringing Berwick’s heritage to new audiences.
Looking ahead to Berwick Barracks
The exhibition also marks an exciting step towards the future of the historic Berwick Barracks site.
Several of the works on display will subsequently form part of the new museum and gallery at Berwick Barracks, giving visitors an opportunity to discover elements of the collection ahead of the museum’s opening in autumn 2027.
As work continues towards the next chapter for Berwick Barracks, the exhibition offers a chance to explore the stories, people and collections that connect the town’s past with its cultural future.
Visit the exhibition
Discover the story of Berwick’s Own Burrell Collection and explore a remarkable chapter in the town’s history.
Berwick’s Own Burrell Collection – A Gift to the Town
- Where: The Maltings, Granary Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed
- When: 31 October 2026 – 21 February 2027
We look forward to welcoming you to discover this special collection and the story of a gift that continues to shape Berwick’s cultural heritage.