Wildlife Photographer of the Year swoops into Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Brighton’s famous seagulls are stepping aside as Wildlife Photographer of the Year swoops into Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, bringing a fresh cast of wildlife into focus. 

The world-renowned exhibition, now in its sixty-first year and on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at the city’s museum this Saturday 9 May featuring some of the most exceptional nature photography taken today from across the globe. 

The exhibition shines a light on powerful and fascinating images that capture hidden animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Using photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images share stories and species from around the world, encouraging a future of advocating for the planet. 

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind. Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from 113 countries and territories all over the world, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by well over a million people. 

This round of the competition (which was displayed in London in 2025) attracted over 60,000 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels. During an intense week at the Natural History Museum in London, entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts. 

Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums, said: 

“We are delighted to bring this world-class exhibition to Brighton once again and we know it is a firm favourite with our visitors. These incredible images do more than just showcase the beauty of the natural world; they provoke vital conversations about our environment and our responsibility to protect it. It is an honour to host such prestigious work that resonates so deeply with our city’s passion for creativity and conservation.” 

On tour from the Natural History Museum, Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens on 9 May 2026 and runs until 6 September 2026.  

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery admission applies, with resident and group discounts, members go free.