If you’ve ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit came to life, how Shaun the Sheep got his woolly charm, or why Morph has that distinctive plasticine texture, the Young V&A has the answers. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends opens this week, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain’s most beloved animation studios just as Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The exhibition, which runs from 12 February to 15 November 2026, brings together over 150 objects from Aardman’s archives, many of which have never been displayed publicly before. This is a rare opportunity to see the actual puppets, sets, props, and storyboards that have delighted audiences for decades—and to understand the painstaking craft that goes into every frame of stop-motion animation.
Aardman’s story is, in many ways, a very British tale of creative ambition. The studio was founded in 1976 by two school friends, Peter Lord and David Sproxton, who started experimenting with animations on their kitchen table. Fifty years later, that kitchen-table operation has become one of the most successful animation studios in the world, winning multiple Academy Awards and BAFTAs while creating characters that have become part of the cultural fabric of Britain and beyond. Yet despite the studio’s growth, their films retain what Aardman calls their “thumbiness”—that handcrafted quality where you can sometimes spot the fingerprints of the animators in the plasticine. It’s this tactile charm that makes their work so distinctive and so loved.
The exhibition is organised around the different stages of the animation process, guiding visitors from initial concept through to finished film. The journey begins with story development, where visitors can see early sketches of Morph, the original drawings that brought Wallace and Gromit to life, and a hand-drawn storyboard from the legendary train chase in The Wrong Trousers. There’s also an interactive praxinoscope—one of those Victorian optical toys that demonstrates how still images viewed in quick succession create the illusion of movement, the fundamental principle behind all animation.
Here’s a gallery of them preparing the exhibition:
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Fun-Land Farms from Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Feathers McGraw’s cell from Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Feathers McGraw’s cell from Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Pirate Ship from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Pirate Ship from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Fun-Land Farms from Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
The Pirate Captain from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
The Pirate Captain from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Timmy from Shaun the Sheep on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Timmy from Shaun the Sheep on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsEMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Gromit’s garden from Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London, where children and families are invited to explore the work of Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph. Issue date: Tuesday February 10, 2026. PA Photo. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsAll Images Copyright Aardman Animation and Young V&A – Used with Permission
The second section focuses on model-making, the heart of Aardman’s craft. Here visitors can see how the studio’s iconic characters, props, and sets are constructed. Highlights include the beloved Lady Tottington from The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the distinctive rocket from A Grand Day Out (Wallace and Gromit’s first adventure, released in 1989), and a recreation of the duo’s cosy living room. For fans of the recent Vengeance Most Fowl, the motorbike and sidecar that Wallace and Gromit ride is on display for the first time. Perhaps most impressive is the largest Aardman model ever made: the galleon ship from The Pirates!, which gives a sense of the extraordinary scale and detail that goes into these productions.
The exhibition then moves into the filming process itself, exploring not just animation but also producing, lighting design, and voice acting. One fascinating object on display is one of Aardman’s last physical scheduling boards—a daily planner that plots out the filming schedule, a reminder that even in our digital age, some things work better written by hand. Visitors can try their hand at lighting a set, create their own stop-motion animations, and film Live Action Videos, which animators use to plan out scenes before committing them to the painstaking frame-by-frame process. A particular treat is Wallace and Gromit’s local museum from The Wrong Trousers, complete with Aardman’s own version of the Mona Lisa.
The final section explores post-production—the stage where sound, music, and visual effects are added to create the finished films. Visitors can experiment with foley effects, creating sounds using everyday objects (the footsteps you hear in films are rarely the actual footsteps recorded on set), and learn about the role of visual effects in Aardman’s work. Objects on display include characters from the charming Robin Robin, the airship model from The Pirates!, and a Timmy puppet from Timmy Time.
Here’s a gallery of the final exhibition:
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Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Children from Bangabandhi Primary School, Bethnal Green view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.EMBARGOED TO 0001 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Visitors view artwork on display as part of the ‘Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends’ exhibition at the Young V&A in London.
The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the animation process and showcases more than 150 items from the studio’s productions, including concept art, props and set models, running from February 12 to November 15.All Images Copyright Aardman Animation and Young V&A – Used with Permission
What makes this exhibition particularly special is its emphasis on accessibility and inspiration. The Young V&A has designed it primarily for children and families, with interactive activities throughout that encourage young visitors to try storyboarding, character design, and animation themselves. The message is clear: Aardman may now be a world-famous studio, but it started with two kids messing about with plasticine, and there’s nothing stopping the next generation from doing the same.
“Aardman quite literally began on the kitchen table, when two young school friends started experimenting with animations at home,” notes Alex Newson, Chief Curator at Young V&A. “Even though Aardman is now one of the most successful animation studios in the world, its films still have the same handcrafted feel. While Aardman’s films are now made by large and highly skilled teams, it’s also possible for anyone to have a go at making their own stop motion films at home with minimal equipment and experience.”
The timing of the exhibition is perfect. 2026 marks Aardman’s 50th anniversary, and the studio is celebrating with a roster of events throughout the year, culminating in the autumn release of a new film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. For anyone who grew up with these characters—or who is introducing them to a new generation—this exhibition offers a chance to appreciate the extraordinary craft and creativity that has made Aardman a national treasure.
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends runs at Young V&A from 12 February to 15 November 2026. Exhibition passes cost £11 per person and allow repeat visits throughout the run. Under 5s go free, and V&A Members receive free entry. The exhibition is open to all ages, with content and activities designed to engage the whole family, with particular emphasis on children aged 8-14. For more information and to book tickets, visit vam.ac.uk/young.
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