7 great reasons to visit Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village

This special site is dedicated to the life and work of George Frederic Watts, one of the great painters of the Victorian age, and his brilliant wife Mary, an artist, designer and philanthropist

The Watts Gallery. Photo: Andy Newbold Photography 

Where can you find Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village?

Situated just outside Guildford, in the village of Compton, this wonderful collection of buildings combines heritage, world-class art and contemporary offerings. It is named after the Symbolist artist duo George Frederic and Mary Watts, who sought refuge from their high-octane London life by building a home where they could live and work in peace.

The decorated ceiling in Watts Chapel © Watts Gallery Trust. Photo: Chris Lacey

Why should you visit?

The Artists’ Village encompasses not only the Watts Gallery, which was originally designed to house the work of George Frederic Watts, but a contemporary gallery dedicated to shows by living artists. There is also the Watts’ home, Limnerslease, complete with George Frederic’s studio just as he left it. A highlight, too, is the Watts Chapel. This exceptional space was designed by Mary and features an astonishing, heavily decorated terracotta façade. Inside, a truly unique interior is filled with beautiful gesso reliefs tinted with tempera and gilding, which tell the story of the Tree of Life. It is one of the most remarkable examples of Symbolist murals in the UK, and possibly the world.

An etching by Kit Boyd, entitled Greenwich Park (olive)  ​

Which exhibits are a must-see?

A new selling exhibition (until 15 January 2023) titled In Print: Kaleidoscopic focuses on the work of 12 innovative contemporary printmakers. These include Phil Greenwood, Lisa Takahashi and Kit Boyd, whose work you see above. Subjects include Japanese tea ceremonies, verdant landscapes and wild water swimming. With prices mostly falling under £350, the show offers a good opportunity to treat yourself or a loved one just before Christmas.

The Close of the Day by Frederick Cayley Robinson, on show now. Private Collection 

What’s on this month?

A visit is always a chance to see works by George and Mary, but this month you can also get involved in making art. Try your hand at creating ceramic pendants or coiling a garden pot with Midweek Makes. This ongoing series of hands-on workshops is delivered by expert craftsmen in the Foyle Pottery Studio. And for something more festive, why not try a winter wreath-making workshop? Don’t miss, too, the exhibition Dreams and Stories: Modern Pre-Raphaelite Visionaries, on until 26 February 2023; it includes the painting shown above, by Frederick Cayley Robinson (1862–1927).

Evelyn de Morgan’s Evening Star Over the Sea (1910–14). Courtesy De Morgan Foundation, demorgan.org.uk  

Any artistic connections?

Beyond the obvious namesakes, the Watts Gallery also houses an important collection of works by William and Evelyn de Morgan. William was a brilliant potter and one of the most inventive designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement; Evelyn was a hugely talented painter. The pair were friends of the Watts and often visited Limnerslease. Blending elements of the Symbolist, Aesthetic and Pre-Raphaelite movements, they created their own distinct spiritual and visual agenda. Above is one of Evelyn’s works, on show now in Dreams and Stories: Modern Pre-Raphaelite Visionaries.

Enjoy the art inside before stepping out to take in a circular walk. Photo: Andy Newbold Photography 

Make a day of it

With so much to see and do at the Artists’ Village, it might be difficult to fit much more in. However, the Compton Village Circular Walk is a real treat and begins and ends at the Watts Gallery. The two-and-a-quarter-mile trail takes in historic sites such as the Grade I listed St Nicholas Church, which dates to the 10th century, and four beautiful Arts and Crafts-style cottages. Fancy a break? Then stop off at The Withies Inn, a 16th-century pub serving lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, or head back to the gallery tea shop for delicious cakes and a chance to take in the shop, housed in Mary’s former Compton Pottery building.

Here’s a fun fact

Mary Watts, who founded the Compton Potters’ Arts Guild, was committed to training local people in artistic skills such as pottery, offering classes and even setting up a commercial studio. In fact, some of the gesso flowers that feature in the Watts Chapel were crafted by local schoolchildren. 

Find out more 

At wattsgallery.org.uk

Going local 

Do you live close by? Then why not join the local Arts Society? 

Local Societies include:

The Arts Society Guildford theartssociety.org/guildford

The Arts Society Guildford Wey Valley theartssociety.org/guildford-wey-valley

The Arts Society Surrey Hills theartssocietysurreyhills.org.uk

The Arts Society Woking theartssociety.org/woking

Exciting upcoming events include a talk on the ways to look at painting with artist and Arts Society Lecturer Alice White (organised by The Arts Society Guildford Wey Valley); and the story of Clara the famous rhinoceros with Arts Society Lecturer Clive Stewart-Lockhart (organised by The Arts Society Woking).

About the author

Holly Black is an arts and culture writer