The Harley Foundation

The Harley Foundation FREE ENTRY award-winning arts venue nestled in the Nottinghamshire Countryside. www.harleygallery.co.uk
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The Harley Foundation is a charitable trust which supports the visual arts and crafts. Visitor attractions include The Harley Gallery, showing contemporary exhibitions, The Portland Collection art museum, gallery shop, countryside art trail, and events ranging from online history lectures to children’s art clubs. The Foundation also runs a community of artist’s studios and a vibrant outreach programme.

"I wouldn’t be here without it. It’s saved my life, giving me something to look forward to.""It’s a great place to feel ...
03/09/2026

"I wouldn’t be here without it. It’s saved my life, giving me something to look forward to."
"It’s a great place to feel as if you count, and gives you meaning."
"An amazing course, as you get to learn new things, speak to new people and build your independence and confidence."

These are just a few of the testimonials from our pottery course in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Mind. Over 10 weeks, take part in a relaxed welcoming environment while receiving expert tuition in ceramics. Grow your confidence, grow your community, and grow your budding pottery skills 🪴

This programme has been provided in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council for Nottinghamshire residents. The cost of this course is £90, which is paid to Nottinghamshire Mind to support their staffing of the course. The cost of materials and Harley Foundation staff time is funded by Inspire.

Find out more on our website: https://harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/event/creative-ceramics-with-nottinghamshire-mind/

These small but mighty miniatures hold a lot of history. Our latest Explore article, written by MA student Megan Dudley,...
02/09/2026

These small but mighty miniatures hold a lot of history.

Our latest Explore article, written by MA student Megan Dudley, examines ivory miniatures in the Company style. The Company style is defined by work produced in South Asia for European buyers during the period of East India Company rule. Art created in this style reflects the cross-cultural exchange between the West and the East, but then also emphasises and the unequal power structures steeped in colonialism of the time.

Read 'Ivory Miniatures: The Company Style and Colonialism': https://ow.ly/m7Uz50ZBtCZ

01/09/2026

'It was just a really nice opportunity to be able to bring historical artefacts into a space with contemporary artwork'.

Upstairs in the Harley Gallery, Serena Korda presents a series of family portraits made in collaboration with her six-year-old daughter that reflect the intimate miniature portraits on display in our museum.

Hear Serena's take on the miniature tradition and how this helped inspire her latest artwork. This free exhibition closes 6 September, so make sure to visit soon!
Learn more: https://harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/event/serena-korda-triple-goddess/

It's the last day of August, the evenings are starting to close in; why not brighten your home with a handmade ceramic w...
31/08/2026

It's the last day of August, the evenings are starting to close in; why not brighten your home with a handmade ceramic wall sconce?

Our next handbuilding taster allows you take home a unique sconce that’s perfect for holding a tealight or tapered candle.

We take care of the firing and glazing, so you can focus on growing your handbuilding skills.
Book your place: https://ow.ly/yzEs50ZBsGF

If you're a regular attendee of our pottery classes and courses, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to the n...
27/08/2026

If you're a regular attendee of our pottery classes and courses, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to the new Build Your Skills: Glazing course.

Grow in confidence layering oxides, slips and glazes for creative effect, and create your own library of glaze tests for future reference.

This is a 2-week course taking place on 19 October + 26 October. Book your limited space: https://harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/event/build-your-skills-glazing/

26/08/2026

Mother, Maiden, Crone – these three archetypes are the backbone to Serena Korda's 'Triple Goddess' exhibition.

Learn more about Korda's thought process behind these categories, and how reinterpreting them with a feminist lens instructed her craft.

Free entry, available to see until 6 September.
Find out more: https://ow.ly/IByt50ZBpai

Our highly popular Introduction to Throwing course is back! 🪴Starting in November, by the end of the course, you will ha...
25/08/2026

Our highly popular Introduction to Throwing course is back! 🪴

Starting in November, by the end of the course, you will have created several finished and glazed pieces that showcase your new skills.

This course is perfect for complete beginners or those who have attended any of our other introductory courses. From preparing and wedging clay to turning and trimming your pots, there are a wealth of skills and techniques to try your hand at throughout the course.

Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment: https://ow.ly/zz5S50ZF67m

24/08/2026

Join us for our last Make + Create sessions for the summer!

Be inspired by our collection of cameos and historic gems to make your own badges.

Swing by the museum between 11 - 3 this Wednesday and Friday to take part for free!

Any clock-related burning questions? Come along to our Makers in the Museum free drop-in sessions. Between 11am and 3pm ...
23/08/2026

Any clock-related burning questions? Come along to our Makers in the Museum free drop-in sessions.

Between 11am and 3pm on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September, watch as horologist Ross Alcock demonstrates cutting pinions and wheels at his workbench. ⌚

Take a look at our website under the 'What's On' tab to see other upcoming Makers in the Museum demonstrations: https://ow.ly/9EpB50Zw8Ux

Photography courtesy of Jade Vowles

Photographs are one of the easiest ways to connect with the past. World Photo Day is a great reason to explore the rich ...
19/08/2026

Photographs are one of the easiest ways to connect with the past.

World Photo Day is a great reason to explore the rich history of the Welbeck estate. The Print Corridor has undergone some change in the past century. As the name suggests, this famous curved corridor — commissioned by the sixth Duke to connect the chapel and library to the house — once displayed many prints. Now, the corridor houses art objects from tapestries to sculptures to oil paintings.

Other rooms are a time capsule. The Red Tapestry Drawing Room is nearly identical to how it was over 100 years ago; it is fascinating to witness history preserved in both photographs and entire physical rooms.

Historical photographs courtesy of Bassetlaw Museum

Address

The Courtyard At Welbeck, A60 Mansfield Road, Welbeck
Nottingham
S803LW

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441909501700

Website

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