Blockbuster exhibitions in the South

Witness the beauty and hidden histories behind some of our favourite blooms, from roses and peonies to tulips and camellias. This major exhibition dives into the stories behind how flowers and plants made their way across the globe and into Britain's homes and gardens. Hear about the early plant explorers who travelled the world to discover exotic flora and see how the beauty of natural world has been captured in over 100 works of art and objects.

Journey through history and into the world of the Saxons. Spotlighting three Saxon burial sites, the exhibition unveils Buckinghamshire's early medieval past and who the Saxons really were. Marvel at glittering treasures, explore how a warlord ruled and discover secrets of the past.

A showcase of astonishing images from around the world, Wildlife Photographer of the Year documents rarely-seen animal behaviours, stunning landscapes and remarkable species. On loan from the Natural History Museum, it both celebrates and advocates for the protection of wildlife in all its diversity.

Meet a legendary fashion designer who paved the way for wearing bold, screen-printed textiles. Zandra Rhodes has designed garments worn by some very famous faces; from Diana, Princess of Wales, to Freddie Mercury. Journey through Rhodes' impressive career and marvel at some of her most iconic looks from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

And from 30 January, don't miss the museum's exhibition of striking photographs by Don McCullin.

To mark 100 years since Beryl Cook's birth, dive into the life and legacy of the self-taught British painter at the Box in Plymouth – a city whose everyday life was joyfully captured by Cook through exuberant scenes of its cafés, clubs, bingo halls and social gatherings. And, her works are celebrated for their representation of queer communities.

Don't miss the opportunity to see Bingo (1984) by Cook displayed for the first time, a work that the Box acquired for their public collection with Art Fund support. And did you know? Every person who puchases a National Art Pass makes acquisitions like this possible.

Best known for his striking ceramics teeming with stories of life in modern Britain, Grayson Perry is one of the country's most recognised artists working today. In this must-see exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Perry tackles what it means to be human, drawing on his autobiography to meditate on universal experiences – from gender and identity to religion and politics.

What does it mean to look at others, and to be looked at? The development of portraiture in British art since 1915 to today goes under the spotlight in this major exhibition. Experience 50 works of art – spanning painting, drawing, sculpture and photography – by leading artists, including Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Bridget Riley.

Meet the seven sisters who transformed 19th-century society and culture. The esteemed Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron is today regarded as the most well-known of the sisters. But, this exhibition unveils how all of them left an enduring mark on culture, due to their Anglo-Indian heritage and their dedication to artistic experimentation and intellectual exchange.

Marvel at paintings of still lifes, portraits and landscapes by William Nicholson in the first major exhibition dedicated to the British artist. Beyond his painting career, you'll uncover Nicholson's work as a graphic designer and illustrator, and you'll witness original drawings for the iconic children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit.

Step into Bridget Riley's world of optical illusions where spots, stripes and other patterns dance around on her iconic canvases. Riley's paintings from the 1960s to today unveil her commitment to examining the representation of colour, form and rhythm through the use of repeated motifs.