Preston Park provides platform for art

A North East museum is preparing to showcase Victorian masterpieces in a landmark exhibition that will bring nationally significant artworks to the region for the first time.

Preston Park Museum, in Stockton, will display three iconic paintings by William Powell Frith this September as part of its Gateway to the World exhibition, one of the highlights of the S&DR200 Festival that is taking place across County Durham and the Tees Valley to year to celebrate the bicentenary of the first  journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).

The works – The Railway Station, Life at the Seaside (Ramsgate Sands) and Derby Day – have never before been shown together, creating a rare opportunity for visitors to see them side by side.

Exploring how the arrival of the railways transformed Victorian society, the exhibition highlights how travel for pleasure brought people from different social classes together in new settings, from train platforms to seaside resorts and bustling racecourses.

On loan from major national collections, including the Royal Collection and Manchester City Galleries, the three paintings will be displayed in The Spence Building, Preston Park’s new multi-million-pound extension.

Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 Festival director, said: “These three paintings form a powerful panoramic narrative of human movement, transformation, economic growth, innovation and opportunity during the rise of Britain’s Railway Age.

“At the heart of the S&DR200 Festival is the idea that the railways did more than just connect towns and cities – they connected lives. 

“This exhibition captures that spirit, reminding us how the Stockton & Darlington Railway sparked a revolution that shaped communities, industries, and the way we experience the world today.”

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, leisure and culture, added: “Preston Park Museum will be showcasing a range of exhibitions in the museum's new exhibition space throughout 2025, all looking at the stories of the railways.

“We’re honoured and thrilled that these three historic paintings, which allow visitors to explore the impact and legacy of the birth of modern railways, have been secured for this important celebration and will be displayed for the first time together in our state-of-the-art extension.

“Exhibiting nationally significant works of art like these is possible because the new Spence Building has been specifically designed to host national and touring exhibitions. 

“We’re proud that this iconic set of paintings will the one of the first exhibitions residents and visitors will be able to enjoy, without the cost of travelling far and wide to enjoy different cultural experiences.”

Running from September 13 to December 7, Gateway to the World forms part of the museum’s Tracks of Change series, which is included in the standard admission price.

To find out more, see here.

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