The Harley Gallery

The Harley Gallery is home to the historic Portland Collection of fine and decorative art. Displays from this internationally significant collection are accompanied by exhibitions from leading contemporary artists.

The Gallery’s programme of exhibitions, events and activities ranges from the biennial Open Exhibition, to opportunities for local schools to work with artists, to tours of the State Rooms at Welbeck Abbey to see objects from The Portland Collection in their historic setting.

Additional attractions include a café serving homemade meals and snacks, shop specialising in contemporary crafts, and children’s’ activity area.

The Harley Gallery is part of The Harley Foundation, a charitable trust set up in 1977 by Ivy, Duchess of Portland. The Foundation aims to encourage the enjoyment of the visual arts and celebrate the handmade.

The Harley Foundation also provides services for artists and makers through support schemes, retail opportunities in the Harley Shop and subsidised studio spaces. The Harley Studios provide space for up to 25 artists and makers to work, in the beautiful surroundings of the Welbeck Estate.

A grade one museum facility, The Harley Gallery has won a Civic Trust Award for Architecture and a Tourist Board Special Award for Excellence.

Local architect Leo Godlewski built The Harley Gallery in 1994. The new building was constructed within the ruins of the Welbeck Estate gasworks, originally built in 1860 by the 5th Duke of Portland to light his network of underground tunnels and apartments. The Gasworks finally closed in 1928 when the Estate moved over to electricity, and the building was then used as storage until 1990 when The Harley Gallery project began.