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A popular museum has reopened to the public after an incredible multi-million-pound makeover, attracting record crowds.

After a four-year closure, the Harris Museum in Preston has reopened, with over 150,000 people visiting the Wallace & Gromit A Case at the Museum exhibition following a £19.2 million refurbishment of the Grade I listed building.

The exhibition, which celebrated the iconic and much-loved clay-animated duo created by local filmmaker Nick Park, launched in September and quickly became popular. In its first eight weeks alone, more than 105,177 visitors passed through the doors, with the museum averaging around 14,500 guests per week, which is more than double pre-closure attendance.

Attendance peaked during the festive period, with queues stretching across The Flag Market between Christmas and New Year. To manage demand, The Harris introduced a 1pm daily cut-off for entry, ensuring a smooth experience for those waiting to see the exhibition.

The exhibition featured iconic scenes, including a recreation of Wallace's living room, inspired by Nick Park's grandmother's home in Preston. Guests were encouraged to immerse themselves in the displays, sitting in chairs and interacting with the recreated environments.

The council said visitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising both the exhibition itself and the wider reopening of The Harris.

One person said: "The Wallace and Gromit exhibition is the stuff of dreams.. if you head straight up to the top floor you'll find this gem of an exhibition. 10/10."

Another visitor added: "The Harris is a great asset to Preston and they have done a fantastic job with the renovation. It was also good to see the place very busy. My kids loved the Wallace and Gromit exhibition which is well worth a visit."

Councillor Hindle Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said: "We have been surprised and genuinely delighted by the reaction to The Harris' opening exhibition.

"The level of engagement, especially in the first month and during the final week, has been incredibly encouraging and we hope this continues into the New Year.

"We would like to thank everyone for their patience, enthusiasm, and continued support as we welcomed visitors back to The Harris."

The exhibition has now closed but other ones scheduled for 2026 at The Harris include The Harris Open 2026, Edwin Williams: Nostalgic Views of Preston, The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories, and Other Dazzling Drawings and Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear. These are all free exhibitions.