GROUPS
GUIDE 2013
WATTS GALLERY: A NATIONAL GALLERY IN THE HEART OF A VILLAGE Watts Gallery, star of the television series BBC Restoration village re-opened on 18 June 2011, after a two-and-a-half year restoration returned it to its former glory. Housing a collection of works by the eminent Victorian artist, G.F. Watts, it is one of the most beautiful small galleries in Europe. The only purpose-built Gallery in the UK dedicated to a single professional artist it is one of a triad of galleries representing Watts, including Tate and the National Portrait Gallery The Hope Project which aimed to save Watts Gallery, has restored the buildings, conserved the collection, extended the education programme and established Watts Gallery as a centre for exploring Victorian art, social history, craft and design. The Gallery hosts a number of special exhibitions throughout the year, which are not to be missed.
Visitors can enjoy the nearby Watts Chapel, an Arts & Crafts masterpiece, full of Art Nouveau imagery and designed by Mary Watts. The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery serves locally sourced home-made food and is the perfect spot to take lunch or even an afternoon tea. An introductory talk or an in-depth tour of the Gallery or Chapel will bring these historic spaces to life and fascinate your group.
THE UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST - THE ART OF G.F. WATTS In his own lifetime George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817-1904), was widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of the Victorian age, enjoying an unparalleled reputation. His ceaseless experimentation embodied the most pressing themes and ideas of the time. A complex figure, Watts was the finest and most penetrating portraitist of his age, a sculptor, landscape painter and symbolist. Watts’s wife, Mary Seton Watts, was also a prolific artist. After marrying G.F. Watts she turned her attentions to craft-based work including pottery and gesso work. She established the Compton Pottery on the Watts Gallery Estate and taught many of the local community pottery skills. A selection of the ceramics produced by the Compton Potters is on display in the Gallery.
“The most thrilling opening of the year ... the loveliest of places.” Rachael Cooke, The Observer
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS - LIMNERSLEASE: THE ARTIST’S HOME AND STUDIO Take advantage of the fantastic opportunity to be one of the first to see Limnerslease, G.F. Watts and Mary Watts’s home and studios in Compton, privately owned and previously closed to the public. The building was commissioned from the Arts & Crafts architect Ernest George and nestles in a hollow of the Surrey Hills, south of Guildford, on The Pilgrim’s Way (just opposite Watts Gallery).
Limnerslease will also become a centre for exploring Victorian art, social history, craft and design and an interpretation centre for the Arts & Crafts Movement.
Having ceased to be an artist’s residence when Mary Watts died in 1938, Watts Gallery Trustees are urgently seeking to save Limnerslease for the nation and have been granted access to the property for occasional tours. Once saved, Limnerslease can be used to increase awareness and understanding of Mary Watts and the Cemetery Chapel that she designed.
You will be viewing Limnerslease before the restoration and as such this is a unique opportunity to glimpse the start of a nationally important project. As the project develops access to different areas cannot always be guaranteed. You will see the unrestored studio, a tour of the gardens and private monument to G.F. Watts. Access to the domestic areas may be limited.
A tour of Limnerslease will complete the story of the Wattses in Compton, and together with the Gallery and Chapel provides unparalleled insight into the world of a Victorian artist and his wife.
WATTS CHAPEL - A HIDDEN GEM OF THE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT ‘It is no exaggeration to say that the Watts Cemetery Chapel is one of the most beautiful, one of the most extraordinary, original, marvellous and magical buildings in the whole of the British Isles!’- Lucinda Lambton Watts Chapel, just 300 yards from the Gallery, is a stunning Grade I listed building designed and built by Mary Seton Watts. Its key features are its eclectic mix of Byzantine and Celtic Romanesque styles brought together in a unique Arts & Crafts masterpiece and the extraordinary body of symbols that cover its terracotta exterior and hand-coloured gesso interior. It is impossible not to admire the work and inspiration that lies behind this beautiful building.
Please note that the Chapel is still in use and dates are subject to availability. With thanks to Compton Parish Council. Open 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday.
GROUP CATERING FROM THE TEA SHOP AT WATTS GALLERY Group visitors can take advantage of the pre-bookable private dining area in the Tea Shop which can seat up to 50 people. Your whole group can enjoy the delicious catering provided by the traditional Tea Shop on site. The Tea Shop specialises in fresh, English. seasonal food, that is sourced as locally as possible, made on the premises and served by friendly staff. To reserve this area please enquire when booking you visit. ‘This local treasure has a devoted cult following’ Shirlee Posner, Europcar Gastro Guide
How to Find Us by Car The Gallery is just ten minutes from junction 10 on the M25. Leave the M25 at junction 10 and continue along the A3. Take the B3000 off the A3, signposted Godalming (brown tourist signs to Loseley Park). Take the first exit from the roundabout at the end of the slip road- this is Down Lane. Watts Gallery is a short distance on the right. How to Find Us by Coach Watts Gallery welcomes coaches, and although there is no coach parking on the estate coaches can drop off their group at the Gallery and park at Loseley Park car park (Postcode GU3 1HS, 5 minutes away). All coaches must be pre-booked with Watts Gallery.
How to Find us by Walking Watts Gallery is located along the North Downs Way which largely follows the historical Pilgrim’s Way, and is located in the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you would like some information on scenic walks or cycle routes of varying lengths that include Watts Gallery and other local attractions, please enquire on 01483 813 589.
BOOKING INFORMATION Watts Gallery, Down Lane, Compton Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1DQ www.wattsgallery.org.uk www.facebook.com/thewattsgallery www.twitter.com/wattsgallery Opening Times 11am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays 1pm-5pm on Sundays Closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays How to Book You can book group visits by calling on 01483 813 589 or email groups@wattsgallery.org.uk. Prices Standard group entry: £7p/p. Add to your visit with one of these options: • 30-minute introductory talk: £3p/p • 1 hour in-depth Gallery tour: £5p/p • 1 hour Chapel tour: £5p/p • 1.25 hour tour of Limnerslease: £9p/p Special Combined Tour (1 hour tour of Gallery and 1 hour tour of Chapel): £15p/p (save £2) Please note: minimum group size is 8 people. All prices may be subject to change. A Personal Service/Welcome We can help to create a bespoke itinerary perfectly suited for you and your group before you arrive. All groups will be welcomed to the Gallery by a member of staff who will meet you on arrival and answer any questions you may have.
Access Watts Gallery, the Visitor Centre and Tea Shop are all fully accessible to wheelchair users. There are accessible toilets in Watts Gallery and near The Tea Shop. If any members of your group have any special requirements please let us know in advance so that we may accommodate them to the best of our abilities. Watts Chapel tours require a 10 minute walk and a steep path on arrival. Limnerslease tours require a 10 minute walk. We regret that at present the house is not accessible by wheelchair users. Watts Gallery Visitor Centre and Shop Watts Gallery Shop stocks a wide range of quality books and gifts including jewellery. Opening times: 10.30am – 5.15pm Tuesday – Saturday 12.30 – 5.15pm Sundays Closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays External Talks If you would like us to come and talk to your group about the internationally renowned collection and remarkable restoration project please call us on 01483 813 589 or email groups@wattsgallery.org.uk. (Recommended minimum donation £100)
Cert no. SA-COC-001885