*Walks* For a day out visit Watts Gallery Artists Village in Surrey. Set over 3 sites within close proximity to each other, it tells the story of Victorian artists Mary and George Watts, and shows their work. Take a brief tour with us. 

Let’s start at where they lived…

You are free to wander around their fascinating home and studio. The house was built in the Arts and Crafts style in 1891 by Sir Ernest George, and is named Limnerslease. See what wonderful artistic touches you can spot.

Watts Gallery
Inside Limnerslease © Secret Carshalton

Walk over to the Watts Cemetery Chapel designed and decorated by Mary Watts, and opened in 1898.

Watts Gallery
The chapel © Secret Carshalton
Watts Gallery
A fascinating and original grave of Mary Wondrausch © Secret Carshalton

Take a trip to the cafe and see the purpose-built Watts Gallery which displays Renaissance art by George Watts. The painting below is said to have inspired the Hope campaign of American President Barack Obama in 2008.

Watts Gallery
‘Hope’ by George Frederic Watts in 1886 © Secret Carshalton

The Watts Gallery website at the time of writing provides some additional walk ideas in the area.

The address is  Watts Gallery Artists Village, Down Lane, Compton, Surrey, GU3 1DQ. It’s around 50 minutes by car from Carshalton, and 10 minutes by bus from Guildford Railway Station.

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