Venue

The Higgins Bedford unites on one site three previous cultural venues : Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. The buildings themselves date back 200 years and have their own rich history of occupation and use, even before they became used for their more recent cultural past.

The Tower is an extraordinary building that stands today as the only surviving example of William Beckford’s great architectural achievements.

Beckford’s Tower has a significant library collection and archive about the restoration of the Tower building that is available to researchers by appointment. The library includes works by Beckford and books once owned by Beckford, as well as an extensive collection of publications related to Beckford’s writing, his architecture and his collection.

To find out more contact the Tower Curator, Dr Amy Frost.

The Museum was founded in 1976 and for twenty years occupied two rooms at the Quaker Hall, Beccles. In 1996 it moved to Leman House in Ballygate, Beccles where it can still be found. The collection has mainly been built up through donations and concentrates on objects and information related to Beccles and the surrounding area. Much of the collection dates to Victorian times but we do have archaeological artefacts, a small number of items relating to the Roman and Saxon period and items from the early 20th Century.

Step inside this charming old building to enjoy an exhibition of Beatrix Potter's original drawings and watercolours. This year we discover what it was like to go ‘On holiday with Beatrix Potter’ and how her unique travels inspired her wonderful stories.