Welcome

The Fry Public Art Gallery was opened in 1987 and houses an impressive number of paintings, prints, illustrations, wallpapers and decorative designs by artists of the 20th century and the present day who have local connections and have made a significant contribution to their field. There is an emphasis on those who for a variety of reasons settled in Great Bardfield between the early thirties of the last century and the death in 1983 of John Aldridge RA who had lived in the village for fifty years.

The Gallery is run by volunteers, both invigilators when it is open to the public and other helpers throughout the year. Please contact us if you would like to become more involved.

The Fry Art Gallery is open from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th October 2025.

The Gallery is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. We are delighted to have as guest curator of the exhibition in the main gallery Ella Ravilious, with a celebration of art and design depicting or made for the domestic space ‘Finding a Home at the Fry’.

In the Gibson Room, Alan Powers and Neil Jennings present a fascinating insight into the murals work done by the Bardfield artists, with many rarely seen pieces.

Don’t miss Alan Powers’ lecture ‘Finding the lost murals of the Bardfield artists’ on Friday 25th April at 7.30pm. More details and tickets are on this website under ‘News’.

Film by Thomas Völker © 2022

Online Shop

The Fry’s online shop has a range of gifts, from textiles to books.

Please click HERE for more information.

The Fry receives no regular funding. Should you wish to contribute to our running costs, please use the button below.

Become a member

If you would like to become a Fry Gallery Member you can now do so online. Please choose an option below.

Visit the Collection

Browse the Fry Gallery collection online here.

News and Events

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Work of the month

Work of the Month: Ives Farm by Edward Bawden

Work of the Month: Ives Farm by Edward Bawden

Edward Bawden CBE, RA, RDI (1903 - 1989) Ives Farm, Great Bardfield 1956, Linocut Edward and Charlotte Bawden moved to Brick House in Great Bardfield in 1932 sharing the house with Eric and Tirzah Ravilious. Ives Farm backed onto the garden at Brick House. This...

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Work of the month: Black House by Anne Rothenstein

Work of the month: Black House by Anne Rothenstein

Painting and collage Anne Rothenstein is the daughter of Michael and Duffy Rothenstein and was brought up in Great Bardfield with her brother Julian. The exhibition Great Bardfield and Beyond: A Working Landscape includes 4 of Anne's works, including one rarely-seen...

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Work of the month: Iron Bridge at Ewenbridge

Work of the month: Iron Bridge at Ewenbridge

Watercolour on paper, 1942 One of the highlights of the forthcoming exhibition 'Great Bardfield and beyond: a working landscape' is Eric Ravilious's 1942 watercolour of the iron footbridge over the river Pant at Ewenbridge, near Shalford. The successor to the bridge...

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Exhibitions

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Visiting us

Opening Times

The Gallery will open in 2025 from Sunday 6th April to Sunday 26th October.

Admission is free. Step-free access is available.

 

Monday Closed
Tuesday 2pm – 5pm
Wednesday 2pm – 5pm
Thursday 2pm – 5pm
Friday 2pm – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday and bank holidays 2pm – 5pm

Contact us

We would be delighted to hear from you and you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The links are in the footer below.

 

Location

The Fry Art Gallery
19a Castle St, Saffron Walden CB10 1BD.
The nearest public car park is at Swan Meadow, a five-minute walk from the gallery. Pay and Display, card payments only.
Blue Badge holders may use the Residents’ Parking spaces in Castle Street.
THE ART FUND
THE ART FUND
THE ART FUND
THE ART FUND