National Trust explains how walled Pool Garden and Florence Nightingale Garden open to public for first time, hosting sculptures.
The National Trust announces White Cube at Claydon, a landmark exhibition that brings some of the most influential contemporary artists into dialogue with the historic interiors and gardens of Claydon House in Buckinghamshire. Opening on 6 June 2026, this ambitious collaboration between White Cube, the National Trust and the Verney family marks the first time an international contemporary art exhibition of this scale has been presented at the 18th‑century mansion.
Featuring works by Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, David Altmejd, El Anatsui, Cai Guo-Qiang, Julie Curtiss, Enrico David, Tracey Emin, Cerith Wyn Evans, Antony Gormley, Mona Hatoum, Marguerite Humeau, Richard Hunt, Anselm Kiefer, Rachel Kneebone, Isamu Noguchi, Minoru Nomata, Gabriel Orozco, Virginia Overton, Cinga Samson, Raqib Shaw, TARWUK, Danh Voh and Jeff Wall, the exhibition offers a rare encounter between contemporary art and one of Britain’s most distinctive country houses. Together, these artists represent a breadth of approaches to sculpture, installation, photography and painting, creating a dynamic and thought‑provoking experience for visitors.
Inside the mansion, Claydon’s extraordinary rococo interiors will transform into atmospheric gallery spaces. Visitors will move through a sequence of rooms where contemporary artworks respond to, contrast with or amplify the house’s historic character.
Beyond the house, the exhibition extends into Claydon’s intimate south‑facing gardens. Here, a series of outdoor spaces provide a natural stage for sculpture, encouraging visitors to explore the landscape and encounter artworks in unexpected settings. The south lawn, west terrace and garden areas become part of the exhibition’s narrative, offering shifting perspectives as visitors move between indoor and outdoor spaces.
A highlight of the exhibition is the opening of two cherished private gardens: the walled Pool Garden and the Florence Nightingale Garden, both made accessible to exhibition visitors through the generous support of the Verney family. These secluded spaces, rarely seen by the public, will host sculptures by Marguerite Humeau and Virginia Overton, whose practices engage with themes of nature, form and transformation.
Nicholas Verney commented: “It is a great pleasure to support this remarkable exhibition by welcoming works from White Cube artists into our family gardens at Claydon. We have never before hosted an international exhibition of this stature here, and the opportunity is incredibly exciting. I hope this collaboration between the National Trust and White Cube will not only introduce visitors to significant contemporary artworks but also inspire them to explore and appreciate the unique heritage and beauty of Claydon’s setting.”
Claydon House has been in the care of the National Trust since 1956, and this exhibition forms part of the organisation’s commitment to opening up its places in new and imaginative ways. Tanya Brittain, General Manager of the National Trust’s Aylesbury Vale property group, said: “At the National Trust, we’re committed to opening up our places in ways that spark curiosity and deepen people’s connection to heritage. This collaboration with White Cube and the Verney family is an exciting example of that ambition. Bringing contemporary art by global artists into Claydon’s historic house and gardens offers a new and inspiring experience, and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with our visitors.”
White Cube at Claydon promises an unforgettable experience where art, nature and imagination meet, offering visitors a fresh perspective on Claydon’s history, landscape and enduring creative spirit.
Exhibition dates: Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon, 6 June – 14 September 2026
Location: Claydon House, Middle Claydon, Buckingham MK18 2EY
Admission: £12 adults | £6 children | Under 5s free | Free to National Trust members. To book visit nationaltrust.org.uk/claydon
