Visiting the Wallace and Gromit exhibition in 2026 presents the fans with an excellent opportunity to delve into the creative world that is behind Aardman’s popular stop-motion characters. One will be able to view models, miniature sets, storyboards, and other behind-the-scenes materials illustrating how Wallace, Gromit, and other beloved characters come alive. As Aardman Animation celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, this is a particularly exciting time for fans of animated movies. Exhibitions in London and Bristol have their own strengths; therefore, you can choose an experience that suits you best. This guide provides comprehensive information on the dates, prices, London, V&A, and Bristol exhibits, and includes details about the past Preston exhibition.
Wallace and Gromit Exhibition 2026: What Can Visitors See?
The main London exhibition is Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at Young V&A in Bethnal Green. It opened on 12 February 2026 and runs until 15 November 2026. The exhibition brings together more than 150 objects from Aardman’s archives, including models, sets and storyboards. Visitors can see the physical objects used in the production process and learn how an initial idea develops into a finished stop-motion film.
The exhibition is not limited to Wallace and Gromit. It explores the wider Aardman universe, including characters such as Shaun the Sheep and Morph. This broader approach makes it suitable for visitors who may know different Aardman productions. For dedicated fans, however, there are plenty of Wallace and Gromit highlights, including production material from well-known films.
One of the most interesting aspects is seeing the difference between the finished animation and the physical objects used to create it. A model that appears alive on screen is, in reality, a carefully engineered object that must be moved tiny amounts between individual frames. Understanding this process can completely change how visitors watch stop-motion animation afterwards.
Wallace and Gromit Exhibition London: V&A Tickets and Dates
People searching for wallace and gromit exhibition london should look at Young V&A in Bethnal Green. Although it is part of the V&A family, it is not located at the main V&A South Kensington site. The official exhibition title is Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, and it is specifically designed to explore Aardman’s creative process. The exhibition continues until Sunday 15 November 2026.
For visitors looking for Wallace Gromit exhibition v&a information, current V&A pricing lists admission at £12.50, with concessions available. Advance booking is recommended, which is particularly useful when planning a family trip during weekends or school holidays. V&A members can visit exhibitions free, subject to the applicable membership conditions.
The exhibition contains several objects that will be especially interesting to long-time fans. The V&A highlights the storyboard for the famous train chase from The Wrong Trousers, along with the sidecar from Vengeance Most Fowl. Early character sketches also help demonstrate how Aardman’s characters developed visually. These details make the exhibition more than a collection of recognisable figures because they reveal the decisions made before animation began.
Wallace and Gromit Exhibition Bristol: Dates, Tickets and Highlights
The Wallace gromit exhibition Bristol experience is Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol at M Shed. It runs from 20 June to 13 September 2026 and forms part of the celebrations for Aardman’s 50th anniversary. The exhibition explores the studio’s work over five decades and includes rarely seen models, sets and behind-the-scenes material.
Current Bristol ticket prices are £10 for adults, £6 for concessions and £6 for children aged four and over, while children aged three and under are free. Family tickets are also available. Bristol Museums advises visitors to book ahead because the exhibition can frequently sell out. This is particularly relevant for anyone travelling from outside Bristol and arranging accommodation or transport around a particular date.
Bristol offers a different type of Aardman experience from London because the city has such a strong connection with the studio. The exhibition celebrates not just Wallace and Gromit but Aardman’s wider creative history. Visitors can also find a separate free Aardman-themed mini museum hunt at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which runs until 13 September 2026. For families, this provides an additional activity to combine with the main exhibition.
Wallace and Gromit Exhibition Preston: Is It Still Open?
The Wallace and Gromit exhibition Preston search term refers to Wallace & Gromit in A Case at the Museum, which was previously staged at The Harris in Preston. It became one of the museum’s major attractions following its reopening and attracted more than 150,000 visitors. The event featured authentic Wallace & Gromit material and gave visitors the chance to explore the characters through original production objects.
However, this Preston exhibition has now closed. This is important for anyone searching for Wallace gromit exhibition dates, because older web pages can still make the exhibition appear current. Visitors planning a trip in 2026 should not travel to Preston expecting to find the previous Wallace Gromit exhibition operating there.
The popularity of the Preston event is nevertheless useful context. More than 150,000 visitors demonstrate the strong public interest in Aardman’s characters and behind-the-scenes material. It also shows why checking the official venue’s current information is important when searching for exhibition dates and tickets. A previous event may continue to appear prominently in search results even after its closing date.
Wallace and Gromit Exhibition Tickets, Prices and Visitor Planning
If you are comparing Wallace and Gromit exhibition 2026 tickets, London and Bristol are the main current choices. Young V&A currently lists £12.50 admission for its London exhibition, while M Shed lists £10 adult admission for the Bristol exhibition. The London exhibition continues until 15 November, giving visitors a longer booking window, whereas the Bristol exhibition ends on 13 September 2026.
Before booking, visitors should consider the following:
- London: Young V&A, Bethnal Green, until 15 November 2026.
- Bristol: M Shed, Bristol, until 13 September 2026.
- London ticket price: currently £12.50, with concessions available.
- Bristol adult ticket price: currently £10.
- Bristol child ticket price: currently £6 for children aged four and over.
- Advance booking: recommended for busy dates.
- Preston: the previous exhibition has closed.
- Main attractions: models, sets, storyboards and behind-the-scenes Aardman material.
The best venue depends on the type of visit you want. London is particularly suitable for people who want detailed information about the animation process and access to a large collection of production material. Bristol is ideal for visitors who want to celebrate Aardman’s history and its relationship with the city. Both are suitable for families, but the experience can be especially rewarding for children who enjoy drawing, crafts, storytelling, model-making or filmmaking.
Is the Wallace and Gromit Exhibition Worth Visiting in 2026?
For most fans, families and animation enthusiasts, the answer is yes. The main advantage is the opportunity to see the physical craftsmanship that normally remains hidden behind the finished films. Stop-motion animation requires characters and objects to be positioned, adjusted and photographed repeatedly. A tiny movement between frames eventually becomes the smooth movement viewers see on screen. Seeing the models and sets in person makes this process much easier to understand.
The London exhibition is arguably the best all-round option for visitors who want to explore Aardman’s creative process. Its collection of more than 150 objects gives visitors plenty to discover, while the Bristol exhibition provides a strong celebration of Aardman’s 50-year history. The previous Preston exhibition was also highly successful, but it should now be regarded as a past event rather than a current destination.
Overall, 2026 is an excellent year to explore Aardman’s work. The combination of anniversary celebrations, original production material and familiar characters creates an experience that appeals to several generations. If you are searching for tickets, check the official venue information before travelling because prices and availability can change. For anyone who loves Wallace, Gromit or British stop-motion animation, an exhibition visit offers something that watching the films alone cannot: a genuine look at the creativity, patience and craftsmanship behind the characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see a Wallace and Gromit exhibition in 2026?
The main 2026 exhibitions are in London and Bristol. Young V&A in Bethnal Green is hosting Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends until 15 November 2026, while M Shed in Bristol is hosting Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol until 13 September 2026.
How much are the exhibition tickets?
Ticket prices vary depending on the venue. Young V&A currently lists admission at £12.50, with concessions available. The Bristol exhibition currently costs £10 for adults and £6 for concessions and children aged four and over. Visitors should check the latest prices before booking.
Is the exhibition at the V&A in London?
Yes. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends is being held at Young V&A in Bethnal Green. It is part of the V&A but is separate from the main V&A museum in South Kensington. The exhibition includes more than 150 models, sets and storyboards.
When does the London exhibition close?
The Young V&A exhibition opened on 12 February 2026 and is scheduled to run until 15 November 2026. Advance booking is recommended, particularly for weekends, school holidays and other busy periods.
When is the Bristol exhibition running?
Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol runs from 20 June to 13 September 2026 at M Shed. It celebrates Aardman’s 50-year history and includes models, sets and behind-the-scenes material from its productions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a visit to a Wallace and Gromit exhibit in 2026 is a great idea for family trips, die-hard fans as well as people who love the art of animation. The exhibitions at London and Bristol will give you great insight into the production process of Aardman, which includes models, sets and storyboards. The coming 50th anniversary makes this year especially unique, but one should not forget about the already passed Preston exhibition, which is a significant milestone in the history of these characters’ exhibitions. Please make sure to find out all the details regarding the costs, availability and time of the exhibitions before your trip.