From a Marie Antoinette blockbuster to extraordinary aerial photos of UK cities, the best art and history exhibitions to see this autumn/winter

There are a whole host of excellent exhibitions lined up to float your cultural boat over the next few months.

A chill in the air indicates it’s time to turn our thoughts to indoor activities, after months of enjoying the great outdoors. While this could be a rather depressing idea, it’s much more tolerable if it involves mooching around some of the UK’s fabulous museums and galleries.

Happily, there are a whole host of excellent exhibitions lined up to float your cultural boat over the next few months. Here’s what we’ll be checking out…

Blitz: The Club that shaped the 80s

Step into the electric world of the Blitz club (above), the cult Covent Garden night that transformed 1980s London style. This major exhibition at the Design Museum celebrates the wild creativity and outrageous glamour of the scene that launched the likes of Boy George, Spandau Ballet and Visage, along with fashion icons like Stephen Jones and Michele Clapton. Expect a full-on sensory trip with over 250 original pieces, from flamboyant outfits and DJ decks to rare footage, zines, and more. Forty years since its doors closed, the spirit of the Blitz is back.

Sept 20, 2025 – Mar 29, 2026

Design Museum, London

Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer

Soar above the clouds in this thrilling exhibition celebrating Alfred Buckham, the daredevil who redefined aerial photography. Buckham was the first head of aerial reconnaissance for the Royal Navy in WW1, then a captain in the Royal Navy Air Service. After being invalided in 1918, Buckham combined aviation with groundbreaking artistry to capture breathtaking views from the skies long before drones and digital tools. From death-defying flights to visionary image-making, Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer reveals how one man’s obsession with altitude shaped the future of photography.

18 October 2025 – 19 April 2026

National Galleries Scotland, Edinburgh

Nigerian Modernism

Discover the visionary artists who transformed Nigerian art in the wake of independence. Set against a backdrop of political change and cultural awakening, Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern celebrates creativity and innovation. From the Zaria Art Society to the Mbari Club, artists across Nigeria – and beyond – blended local traditions with global influences to forge a powerful new visual language. Featuring over 50 artists, including Uzo Egonu, Ladi Kwali, El Anatsui and Ben Enwonwu, this exhibition spans painting, sculpture, textiles and poetry.

8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026

Tate Modern, London

Made in Ancient Egypt

Think ancient Egypt was all pharaohs and pyramids? Think again. This exhibition puts the spotlight on the skilled craftspeople behind some of history’s most iconic objects - from richly decorated coffins to the mysterious Books of the Dead. Made in Ancient Egypt delves into the tools, techniques, and talent behind the jewellery, ceramics, sculpture and more, revealing the human stories behind the masterpieces. It’s a fresh look at ancient Egypt, through the eyes and hands of the makers who shaped it.

Oct 3, 2025 – Apr 12, 2026

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Lee Miller

Step behind the lens of one of the 20th century’s most fearless photographers in this major retrospective at Tate Britain. From surrealism to the frontlines of war, Lee Miller charts a remarkable life in images. Once a celebrated model, Miller became a groundbreaking photographer in her own right—capturing everything from fashion and fine art to the horrors of conflict. With over 250 prints, including rare and unseen works, the exhibition reveals the full scope of her vision.

2 October 2025 – 15 February 2026

Tate Britain, London

Marie Antoinette Style

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of fashion’s original It Girl — Marie Antoinette (above). This exhibition unpacks how the ill-fated Queen of France became a global style icon; from Sofia Coppola’s dreamy film sets to Vivienne Westwood’s rebellious runway looks, the ‘Marie Antoinette look’ has never really disappeared. Expect rare and fabulous treasures, including the Queen’s silk slippers, glittering jewels, fragments of her court gowns — and even her personal dinner service from the Petit Trianon, shown outside France for the very first time.

Until Mar 22, 2026

V&A South Kensington, London

Bridget Riley

Step into the mesmerizing world of Bridget Riley at Turner Contemporary in Margate. Curated with the artist herself (yes, she’s 94 and still going strong), this exhibition takes you through the evolution of her iconic optical art, from the bold, mind-bending pieces of the Sixties to her latest works that continue to explore the beauty of nature and the complexities of sight.

Nov 22 – Spring 2026

Turner Contemporary, Margate

Turner and Constable

Turner and Constable, two of Britain’s most iconic painters, go head-to-head in this epic exhibition at Tate Britain. Born just a year apart, this is not the first time they have been pitted against each other. Raised in the gritty heart of Georgian London, Turner (above) quickly became a rising star of the art world. Meanwhile Constable, the son of a wealthy Suffolk merchant, was equally determined but faced a more arduous rise to acclaim. Though from different worlds they shared a profound connection to nature, and both set their sights on transforming landscape painting. This is an unmissable opportunity to explore the careers of the two greatest British landscape painters, seen – as they often were in their own time – side by side.

Nov 27 – Apr 12, 2026

Tate Britain, London

Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World

Step into the dazzling world of Cecil Beaton (above) in this exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Photographer, designer, and chronicler of glamour, Beaton captured the style and spirit of the 20th century. Fashionable World brings together over 200 photographs, sketches, letters and costumes, showcasing Beaton’s iconic portraits of stars and royalty – from Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe to Queen Elizabeth II and Salvador Dalí.

9 Oct 2025 – 11 Jan, 2026

National Portrait Gallery, London

Treasure: History Unearthed

Unearth 5,000 years of secrets in this major exhibition showcasing the largest collection of archaeological treasure ever displayed in the region. From Bronze Age gold to Viking silver and buried coin hoards, Treasure: History Unearthed reveals extraordinary finds and the stories behind them. Featuring objects from the British Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and local collections, the exhibition explores how ideas of treasure have changed – from Victorian discoveries to cutting-edge conservation and research.

13 September 2025 – 29 March 2026

World Museum, Liverpool

Dirty Looks

A provocative new exhibition at the Barbican, Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion dives into the messy, subversive side of style — from mud-stained couture to upcycled rebellion. Exploring fashion’s fascination with dirt, destruction and the body, the show features radical work by Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan and emerging designers pushing the boundaries of beauty and sustainability today.

25 September 2025 – 25 January 2026

Barbican Centre, London

To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), Facebook (YOU Magazine) and X (@YOUMagSocial)