The internationally acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be on display at The Beacon Museum from 24 October 2026, bringing a collection of award-winning wildlife photography from around the world to West Cumbria.
On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, the exhibition features 100 photographs selected from more than 65,000 entries submitted by photographers from 121 countries and territories. The images were chosen by an international judging panel and highlight a range of wildlife, landscapes and natural environments from across the globe.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
"This exhibition combines stunning photography with compelling stories from the natural world. We're delighted that visitors to The Beacon Museum will have the opportunity to see these award-winning images here in Cumberland."
Now in its sixty-second year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the world's longest-running and best-known wildlife photography competitions. The exhibition includes images that capture animal behaviour, species diversity and the natural world, offering visitors an opportunity to see nature through the eyes of photographers working in a wide variety of settings.
Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager added:
"We are incredibly proud to welcome Wildlife Photographer of the Year to The Beacon Museum as part of this internationally acclaimed touring exhibition. Bringing an exhibition of this calibre to Whitehaven demonstrates our ambition to ensure that world-class cultural experiences are not limited to major cities but are accessible to communities here in West Cumbria."
Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, added: “Through a collection of truly extraordinary images, selected from a global reach of 121 countries and territories, this exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the wonder of our planet through the eyes of some of the world’s most talented photographers. At a time when nature is under more pressure than ever before, these photographs remind us of both what is at stake and what is worth protecting. It will be impossible to leave without feeling a renewed sense of wonder for our incredible planet.”
The sixty-third Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition opened for entries on Monday 19 October and closes on Thursday 3 December 2026.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.