Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition coming to The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven

The internationally celebrated Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven starting on 24th October 2026. This remarkable exhibition showcases 100 award-winning photographs selected from over 65,000 entries submitted by photographers in 121 countries.

On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, the display features a stunning collection of wildlife, landscapes, and natural environments captured by photographers around the world. Wildlife Photographer of the Year, now in its sixty-second year, is one of the longest-running and most prestigious wildlife photography competitions globally.

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, expressed her excitement about hosting the exhibition in Cumberland, emphasising the compelling stories depicted through the photography.

Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager, highlighted the significance of bringing such a high-calibre exhibition to West Cumbria, noting it aims to provide world-class cultural experiences beyond major cities.

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, reflected on the exhibition's global reach and its ability to inspire wonder and an awareness of conservation efforts.

The sixty-third competition for Wildlife Photographer of the Year opened for entries on 19th October and will close on 3rd December 2026.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.