Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Exhibition Opens At Whitehaven Museum
An internationally acclaimed wildlife photography exhibition has arrived in Whitehaven, bringing 100 award-winning images from around the world to West Cumbria.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opened at The Beacon Museum on October 24 and will remain on display until January 31, 2027. The collection is on loan from the Natural History Museum in London and features photographs selected from more than 65,000 entries submitted by photographers across 121 countries and territories. It offers visitors an opportunity to explore wildlife, landscapes and natural environments through images recognised by an international judging panel.
Now in its 62nd year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the world's longest-running and best-known wildlife photography competitions. Since its launch in 1965, the competition has attracted photographers from across the globe, showcasing images that document animal behaviour, species diversity and the natural world. The exhibition brings a selection of these recognised photographs to audiences beyond the major cities where such collections are often displayed.
The 100 photographs featured in the exhibition were chosen by an international panel of judges from submissions representing 121 countries and territories. Entries were assessed anonymously, with creativity, originality and technical excellence among the qualities considered during the selection process. The resulting collection presents a range of subjects and environments, highlighting the variety of wildlife captured by photographers working in different parts of the world.
The images explore the natural world through a combination of striking animal encounters, unusual behaviour and landscapes. Visitors can see photographs that reveal details of wildlife and habitats that may otherwise be difficult to observe. The exhibition also aims to encourage a greater appreciation of the planet's biodiversity and the importance of protecting natural environments.
Cumberland Council's Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, Councillor Anne Quilter, welcomed the exhibition's arrival in the area. She said the photographs combine visual appeal with compelling stories about the natural world, adding that the museum's visitors would have the opportunity to experience internationally recognised work locally.
Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager at The Beacon Museum, also highlighted the importance of bringing the touring exhibition to Whitehaven. She said the museum was proud to host a collection of this standard and described it as part of the ambition to make major cultural experiences accessible to communities across West Cumbria, rather than limiting them to larger cities.
Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said the photographs offer visitors a chance to experience the planet through the work of talented photographers from across the world. He also highlighted the pressures facing nature and said the images could help remind audiences of the importance of protecting the natural environment.
The exhibition forms part of an international tour of the award-winning photographs. The organisers expect the images to reach audiences well beyond the museum, with the wider touring programme intended to make the collection accessible to more than a million people. Its appearance in Whitehaven gives local residents and visitors an opportunity to see the work without travelling to London.
The Beacon Museum is located on Whitehaven's waterfront at West Strand. The exhibition is being presented in the museum's galleries and forms part of its wider programme of displays and cultural activities for visitors to the town. The museum's published exhibition dates run from October 24, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 4.30pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays. Visitors should check the museum's website before travelling, particularly around the Christmas period, when temporary closure dates are to be confirmed.
Alongside the exhibition, the next competition is already underway. The 63rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition opened for entries on October 19, 2026, and is scheduled to close on December 3. The annual competition continues to attract submissions from photographers around the world, with selected images forming future exhibitions and international tours.
The exhibition provides an opportunity for people in Cumbria to engage with internationally recognised wildlife photography while exploring stories about the natural environment. Through its collection of 100 selected images, it brings together photography from a wide range of countries and offers visitors a closer look at the diversity of life on Earth.
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