2008 Visits - Members Only

Tuesday 17 June 2008
Batemans (NT) and Pashley Manor Gardens

The interior of this beautiful 17th century house, Rudyard Kipling’s home from 1902-1936 reflects the authors strong association with the East.  There are oriental rugs and artefacts and most of the rooms, including the study are much as Kipling left them.  Lovely gardens run down to the River Dudwell with its waterfall, roses, fruit trees and herbs.  Kipling’s Rolls Royce is also on display.

After lunch, we go to Pashley manor where there has been a house since 1262.  In 1543 the estate was sold to Sir Thomas May who built the Tudor house you see today.  The house is not open to the public but the gardens are stunning.  They first opened in 1992 and brought to their present splendour with the help of landscape architect Antony du Gard Pasley.  A number of different gardens have been created within 11 acres and during June is the wonderful rose display.  Refreshments available at both venues.

Tuesday 15 July 2008
Michelham Priory & Glyde Place, East Sussex

Surrounded by England's longest water-filled medieval moat, Michelham Priory dates back to 1229.  It was founded and lived in by Augustinian canons until the dissolution in 1537.  The Tudor farm and country house that not contains a fascinating array of tapestries, furniture and kitchen equipment have evolved over 800 years.  Seven acres of garden are enhanced by a 14th century gatehouse, a working forge, kitchen, physic herb and cloister gardens as well as a fully restored medieval watermill.

Self-service, fully licensed restaurant for refreshments.
A short drive to Glyde Place for a private visit to the home of Viscount and Viscountess Hampden.  The great Elizabethan building houses a fine collection of 17th and 18th century portraits, a room dedicated t to Sir Henry Brand, Speaker in the House of Commons 1872-1884, furniture embroideries, silver plus a collection of 18th century Italian masterpieces.
Cream tea will be served before departure.

Thursday 7 August 2008
Ragley Hall, Warwickshire

Ragley Hall, the family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Hertford was designed by Robert Hooke in 1680 and is one of the earliest and loveliest of England’s great Palladian Houses.  The perfect symmetry of the architecture of Ragley remains unchanged save for the spectacular portico by Wyatt added in 1780.  The two storey high Great Hall has some of England’s finest baroque plasterwork by James Gibbs dated 1750.  Ragley houses a superb collection of 18th century and earlier paintings, china, furniture and ceiling decoration with Grisaille panels and insets by Angelica Kauffman.  A striking feature of Ragley is the mural “The Temptation” by Graham Rust in the south staircase hall that was painted between 1969-1983.  The house is set in 400 acres of park lane and landscaped by Capability Brown, and 27 acres of gardens including rose garden and planted borders.
Coffee en route, refreshments available at The Hall.

Friday 12 September 2008
Frogmore House and Saville Gardens

A private guided tour of Frogmore House, which dates from the 1680’s and was bought by Queen Charlotte in 1792.  The Queen was able to indulge her love of botany and laid out the garden with rare and unusual plants.  At one time Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent lived in the house and it became a favourite retreat of Victorian and Albert, whilst George V and Queen Mary used Frogmore for entertaining during Ascot week.  After the tour, we drive to Saville Gardens where refreshments are available.  The Garden is England’s finest ornamental garden with 35 acres of beautiful trees and shrubbery, ponds and streams as well as formal beds.  Designed in the 1930s by master landscape gardener Sir Eric Saville it takes the visitor on a journey through 10 different gardens within the garden, including the recent addition of the unique New Zealand garden, which has nearly 3000 native plants.

Wednesday 22 October 2008
Marle Place garden and Gallery and Finchcocks, Kent

Coffee on arrival before touring the peaceful and privately owned Merle Place garden first created in 1890.  There are over 10 acres of formal and informal planting with woodland and orchards.  A beautifully restored 19th century greenhouse is home to a colourful orchid collection, situated in the comprehensive ‘potager’ kitchen garden.  There is also an exhibition in The Gallery, which contains a series of shows by contemporary painters, sculptors and potters.
We travel to Finchcocks for lunch and a private visit (pre-booked or take a picnic) coffee, cakes and biscuits available.
Finchcocks is a fine Georgian manor set in a beautiful garden.  It now houses a celebrated collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments of which over 40 are in full working order.  There will be a tour of the house and garden, its exhibition of prints, pictures and costumes on the theme of the 18th century Pleasure garden.  The tour will also include a demonstration/recital in the main hallo n a selection of instruments – harpsichord, chamber organ, barrel organ and a number of early pianos.

Tuesday 18 November 2008
National Gallery - Van Eyck to Titian

For the first time ever, this exhibition will take the development of 15th and 16th century portrait painting, in both northern and southern Europe side by side.  Van Eyck to Titian will feature many of the masters of the Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Holbein, Cranach, Van Eyck and Dürer.  The exhibition will consist of around 70 paintings along with medals, sculptures, drawings and engravings.
There will also be a free exhibition, Sisley in England and Wales.

Booking Information

If you would like to book any of these visits, please contact the Visits Secretary for a booking form.  Visits are open to members only.


Visits Secretary
Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ

Tel: 01483 444742
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk