Famous Stanley Spencer painting returns to Cookham.

The painting titled ‘Swan Upping at Cookham’ is on loan from the Tate and will be shown at the Stanley Spencer Gallery from November 7 as the main piece of a new exhibition.

The new exhibition called ‘Painting by the Thames: Swan Upping at Cookham' opens on the same day.

This will bring together the rarely seen paintings from the Gallery’s collection to reveal one of Spencer’s inspirations, the River Thames.

The title piece depicts the practice of ‘Swan Upping’, where mute swans are caught, marked, and then released.

Stanley Spencer spent much of his life in Cookham and the village was an inspiration for many of his works.

He was particularly fascinated by the river and said that “morning swims in sunlight were the times for visitations.”

A Gallery spokesperson said: “We are delighted to begin our new Winter Series with this exhibition, and especially grateful for the loan of Swan Upping at Cookham by the Tate.

“The show offers a fascinating glimpse of Spencer’s deep-rooted love for the Thames and the inspiration he derived from his native village.’’

The exhibition will run until March 22, for more information visit www.stanleyspencer.org.uk.