Forthcoming Outings - TrustNews Dec 15
There will be a Trust visit to West Sussex on Monday 16 May 2016 to West Dean Gardens in the morning followed by a guided tour of Goodwood House in the afternoon. We will probably travel by coach and the total cost including the coach and afternoon tea at Goodwood House is likely to be around E50. Application forms will go out in the next issue of Trust News.
Goodwood, one of the finest country houses in England, has been the home of the Dukes of Richmond & Lennox for over 300 years. The 1st Duke of Richmond was the natural son of King Charles II and his French mistress, Louise de Keroualle. He originally bought Goodwood as a hunting lodge and subsequent Dukes enlarged the existing Jacobean house considerably.
The architects Roger Morris, Matthew Brettingham and James Wyatt were all involved at various stages during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The house has an outstanding art collection, formed by successive generations of the family, which includes paintings by van Dyck, Canaletto, Stubbs and Reynolds, Sevres porcelain, Gobelins tapestries and eighteenth-century French and English furniture.
West Dean Gardens date back to the original Jacobean manor house and were much extended and improved in the nineteenth century then decayed gradually over the next century until the great storm of 1987. Since then the 90 acre garden has been restored and redeveloped.
Tuesday, 12th April. Visit to the Watts Gallery at Compton, Surrey.
George Frederick Watts and his wife Mary were celebrated Victorian artists who settled in the rustic isolation of Compton. The Watts Gallery was established many years ago and was rescued from neglect (buckets to catch the rain etc) some years ago by a substantial grant from public funds. Their home nearby, Limnerslease, a remarkable Arts and Crafts house, has been restored and is available for visits. Nearby is the notable Watts Chapel (grade 1 listed) which was created by Mary Watts. We will visit all three buildings with the benefit of guides and enjoy a light lunch. Estimated time 10 to 4pm. Estimated travel time - 1hour. Estimated cost £30 per person. Full details and application form with the March issue of TrustNews but you may register your interest now with our Secretary.
Then, future plans:
We are considering visits to Kew Gardens, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Sherborne and Wells. Suggestions for other trips would be welcome.