Second visit to Stanley Picker introduced due to its popularity.

Tour starts at 11:00am. Visit the home of architect Sir John Soane and learn about his relationship with JMW Turner; their artistic influences, friendship and anecdotes about their fishing trips and shared passions.

For more details and to book please click HERE . 

An afternoon walking tour starting at 2:00pm. This will explore the remarkable transformation of the site and explain how a nineteenth century goods yard has been redeveloped, blending the old and cutting-edge modern innovation.

For more details and the booking form please click HERE .

Due to popular demand a second visit has been arranged to the Royal Hospital. The guided tour will start at 2:30. For more details and a booking form please click HERE .

Wednesday at 11:00am. Visit the world's only home museum and explore domestic life from 1630 up to the modern day - and a vision of the home of the furture. For more details and the booking form click HERE .

The Wimbledon Museum at 22 Ridgway has kindly arranged a private visit for The Arts Society to their Objects of Enchantment Exhibition on Thursday 19th March at 11.00am. Alastair Gordon has been the artist in residence at the Museum over the last few months and whilst there has studied many of the Museum’s artefacts, delved into their history and has subsequently transformed them into finely observed drawings and then into richly detailed paintings.  It is these paintings that are now exhibited and offered for sale.

Alastair himself has kindly agreed to be present for our visit and he will very eloquently give you more detail about his work and will answer all your questions.  

There is no charge for the visit but if you enjoy your time in the Museum a donation would be welcome but not obligatory.

For booking form, click HERE .

A closer look at paintings in depth with our own expert, Jan Young. Starting at 2:00pm. NOW FULLY BOOKED

A nostalgic journey through 200 years of consumer culture, social change and lifestyle. An afternoon guided tour starting at 2:00pm of the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill. For full details and booking form click HERE .

Afternoon visit to the Foundling Museum WC1 starting at 2:00pm. FULL

But due to popular demand a SECOND TOUR has now been arranged, starting at 2:15pm.

For more details and the booking form click HERE .

REPORT ON THE VISIT

We had a very enjoyable visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Thursday when we were shown around by Mick, a very entertaining veteran who had endless information and stories to tell us. He took us through the history of the Royal Hospital from 1682 to present day and was able to describe to us in detail, the life of the Chelsea Pensioner from early days to now. He took us around the grounds, the Great Hall and Chapel and provided us with information about how they are funded and how they make the property work for them. It was a fascinating trip and enjoyed very much by all. 

Joan Nicholson, Visits Organiser

For more information and the booking form please click HERE .

THE CORRECT DATE FOR THIS VISIT IS 19 SEPT 25 AND NOT AS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON THE 2025 PROGRAMME LEAFLET.

This tour is now full.

Due to popular demand we have now arranged a second visit to the Whitelchapel walk lead by Stephen Bursten.

Click HERE for more details and the booking form for this visit.

Following on from our walks in the Jewish quarter, Stephen will take us to explore the interesting places and stories of Whitechapel.

For more details and the booking form for the first tour click HERE . 

Private tour of Middle Temple starting at 11:00 and including lunch in the Hall. Further spaces are now available.

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE HAS CHANGED FROM THAT IN OUR PRINTED BROCHURE.

For more details and the booking form click HERE .

Please contact Joan Nicholson if you wish to be added to the waiting list.

Private guided tour starting at 2:00pm. For more details and the booking form, please click HERE .

A private tour of the museum starting at 11:00 in that Friday, to include tea and coffee in the Village Club.

For more details and a booking form please click HERE .

An afternoon tour led by one of our members, Jan Young looking at 4-5 paintings in some depth.

For more details and a booking form, click HERE

A visit to the Mandir Temple in Neasden, although full, a waiting list now exists.

For more details and the booking form, CLICK HERE

Wednesday November 20

Private group tour. ‘Meet the Man’: an introduction to William Morris’ life through key works on display.

For more details and the booking form please click HERE.

Thursday, 24th October at 2 pm

Private guided tour of the Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre.

Click here for more details and booking form.

Thursday, 19th September 2024 starting at 10:30. Meet at Abbey Wood underground station (on the Elizabeth Line).

Private guided tour. Discover the Victorian splendour, history, engineering and architecture of Crossness. 

Click HERE for booking form and more details.

Friday 28th June 2024 at 14:15

Walking tour of the districts of Aldgate and Spitalfields in the East End of London.

Click HERE for more details and the booking form.

Monday May 13th at 2 pm

Studio home of Dora Gordine & Richard Hare; guided tour of the house and collections. 

Click HERE for more details and the booking form.

Friday, April 12, 2:15 pm

Walking tour with Stephen Burstin Tour in the districts of Aldgate and Spitalfields.

Monday, February 26, 11:00

Private guided tour

Completed in 1673 after the Great Fire of London, it is one of the few ancient Livery Halls remaining in the city of London.

For more details and the booking form, click HERE

Wednesday, January 24, 10:00

Private guided tour

Founded in 1831 and houses the largest and most significant collection of British theatrical works of art. 

For visit details, click HERE .

For more details and the booking form, click here .

14:00 Private visit - a story of migration and exile. VISIT DEFERRED, WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES

11:00 Full day guided tour of both these houses in Kensington. 

14:00 Visit to the William Morris Society's Kelmscott House, Upper Mall and Emery Walker's House on Hammersmith Terrace, W6.

Guided tour of The Charterhouse and gardens.

10:30 Old Royal Naval College visit including a Painted Hall & Nelson Room tour.

14:00 The Fan Museum.

Visit to Cutlers Hall in the City of London. 

Talk, tour and refreshments.

A tour of Chiswick House in the morning was followed by a tour of the gardens in the afternoon.

This picture shows some of the members who enjoyed our tour of Chiswick House and Gardens.

A morning visit for a talk on the Museum plus film. For further details and booking form, view and download the leaflet found in the Documents section under the Our Society tab above.

Spring tour of the house and gardens, including lunch. Click HERE for more details and booking form.

This will be a morning visit to the theatre.

This will be an evening tour given by Jane Choy-Thurlow at 8:00 via Zoom. For more details go to the Documents section, found under the Our Society tab.

For full details of this visit including the printable booking form please go to the Documents section, found under the Our Society tab above.

THURSDAY 21st OCTOBER AT 5:00pm

During the reign of Sixtus IV, a team of Renaissance painters that included Botticelli, created a series of frescos depicting the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ, offset by papal portraits above and trompe-l'œil drapery below. These paintings were completed in 1482, and on 15 August 1483 Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass in the Sistine Chapel for the Feast of the Assumption, at which ceremony the chapel was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Between 1508 and 1512, under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted the chapel's ceiling, a project which changed the course of Western art and is regarded as one of the major artistic accomplishments of human civilization. In a different political climate, after the Sack of Rome, he returned and, between 1535 and 1541, painted The Last Judgment for Popes Clement VII and Paul III. The fame of Michelangelo's paintings has drawn multitudes of visitors to the chapel ever since they were revealed five hundred years ago.

Although many of us will have been lucky enough to visit Rome and see these works for ourselves, the Sistine chapel is often crowded and it can sometimes be difficult to see the ceiling. Thanks to modern technology, through this lecture we will have the opportunity to see Michelangelo's wonderful frescoes and have their history described to us by an expert - in our own homes.

A zoom link will be sent on the day.  There is no need to book in advance but please forward payment of £8 per viewer. This can be paid by cheque (made payable to the Arts Society Wimbledon) and sent to Anthea Gaukroger, 43 Hillier Road, London SW11 6AX, or by Bank Transfer to account number 30965235 sortcode 20 96 89. Please identify your payment as 'Vatican tour' in the reference box or on the back of the cheque.

Monday 20 Sept 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Includes Guided tour, tea and cakes.

For full details see the flyer in the Documents section, found by clicking on the Our Society tab top left.

Visit that was scheduled for the 19th May will now happen on this day.

Please see that entry for further details.

Includes tours of the Studios and the gardens, located in Much Hadham in Hertfordshire. Travel there and back will be by coach.

For more details contact our Events Organiser, Carole Patey on: carolepatey20@gmail.com

With London Guide, Pete Smith.

Plus the Painted Hall and the Fan Museum, Greenwich.

For more details of this virtual tour to be held on Zoom at 5:00 on Thursday 18th March, please go to the Documents section, found under the Our Society tab above.

Tour, piano recital and tea. Further details will follow.

Beechey's portrait of Elizabeth Baillie

This free talk replaces our planned November visit. 

In this “Cocktails with a Curator” talk, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator Xavier F. Salomon enjoys a Great Maiden’s Blush cocktail while discussing a 1795 portrait of Elizabeth Sophia Baillie (née de Vismes) by Sir William Beechey. A work of mysterious origin—and thought for a century to be by the English portraitist John Hoppner—it was only recently attributed to Beechey by Eloise Owens during her time as a curatorial assistant at the Frick.

Cocktail Recipe

Great Maiden's Blush
Equal parts of:
dry gin
lemon juice
elder flower cordial
on the rocks
Top with rosé champagne

Audiences under 21(!) are encouraged to join with a non-alcoholic drink.

Mocktail Recipe

Elderflower cordial
Tonic water
Garnish with a sprig of mint

A link to this session will be emailed to members nearer the time. Start time 5:00 pm.

Long time East End resident, Pepe Martinez will be giving the second half of this virtual tour - "From Bangladesh to Banksy:  the Story of London's New East End" on 22nd October at 5pm.  This replaces the planned October visit which had to be cancelled for obvious reasons.

Pepe Martinez is a Blue Badge Guide of London who is an experienced Zoom speaker and lecturer.

His last talk proved extremely popular, here are a few of the comments we received afterwards.

"Wonderful talk re the East End."

"Very enjoyable virtual tour."

"An excellent talk and beautifully illustrated."

"I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this.  I hope you will be able to do more."

As this replaces the actual tour we ask you to donate £5 each towards the speaker's fee.

The link to this session together with remittance details, will be emailed to members shortly beforehand.

Led by a resident Chelsea Pensioner, we will discover the history behind this unique national institution. The tour will include Sir Christopher Wren’s stunning buildings, captivating stories of inhabitants - both past and present – and an insight into what life is like for veterans living at the Royal Hospital today.

For full details see flyer in the Documents section (under the Our Society tab).

Henry Moore is one of England's greatest 20th century sculptors.  This visit will be an opportunity to see a wide range of his work displayed in his former home and studio in Hertfordshire.  The visit will include a talk in Moore's archive, followed by lunch and a guided tour of his studios and the sculpture displayed in the garden.

The main focus of our visit will be the beautifully restored Painted Hall of the Royal Naval College.  Built by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, it features the spectacularly decorated ceiling painted by Sir James Thornhill, who considered it his masterwork..A light lunch will be followed by an afternoon visit to the Fan Museum.  We will aim to travel to and from Greenwich by boat from Westminster Pier.

For more details and the booking form go to the Documents section, found by clicking on the 'Our Society' tab above.

Sigmund Freud came to England as a refugee aged 82.  This Museum is located in the house where he lived with his family in the last year of his life. Its most famous exhibit is the couch on which his patients lay to be analysed, which he brought to London from Vienna.  We shall be given an introduction to the life and work of the man whose study of dreams was so influential to the surrealist painters.

Full details and a printable booking form can be found in the Documents section by clicking on the 'Our Society' tab above left.

NOTE DATE CHANGE FROM 13 FEB 2020

Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing was owned from 1800 to 1810 by the architect John Soane who radically rebuilt it.  Built as a country villa for entertaining, the manor, which has recently been beautifully restored, is set in a well-maintained park. We will have a guided tour, followed by tea.

Full details of the visit and an application form can be found in the 'Documents' section, found by clicking on the 'Our Society' tab in the top left.

Then download & print it and either bring it along to the next lecture or post it with your cheque as directed.

The Club was founded, in 1819, 'for gentlemen who had travelled out of the British Isles to a distance of at least five hundred miles from London in a direct line'. Membership was extended to foreign visitors and diplomats posted to London. Arrangements for the establishment of The Travellers’ Club were finalised at a meeting in the spring of 1819, attended by distinguished diplomats and two future Prime Ministers. In 1826 money was raised to lease part of the grounds of Carlton House and Charles Barry, who later designed the Reform Club next door and the Houses of Parliament, was appointed as architect. We will be given a tour of the club with an account of its history.

The brochure and booking form can now be found as usual in the Documents section under the 'Our Society' tab above, for printing out and sending off to the organiser, Roger Mitchell.

Image courtesy of Travellers' Club

The history of Hand & Lock, 86 Margaret Street, W1W 8TE, can be traced back to 1767 when a young Huguenot refugee, M. Hand, began manufacturing and selling lace to military establishments in London. Hand & Lock are now London’s premier embroidery house providing embellishment services to the Royal Family, top European design houses, the Royal Armed Forces and Savile Row. Every commission receives the highest care and attention from the dedicated team of designers and embroiderers.  We will be given an exclusive tour of the workshop, with demonstrations by the skilled workforce.

As only very small numbers can be accommodated at a time, there will be two tours, morning and afternoon.

Image courtesy of Hand & Lock Embroidery Workshop

The whole day visit includes three significant medieval sites and two examples of distinguished contemporary art and design. Winchester is the longest medieval cathedral in Europe and is famous for its decorated chantry chapels and the entertaining carvings on the choir-stalls. In the crypt a mysterious life-size statue of a man contemplating the water held in his cupped hands is the work of the celebrated British sculptor Antony Gormley.

After lunch in the Refectory, we visit the mediaeval Hospital of St Cross with its Norman church. The day ends with a tour of Laverstoke Mill, and now home to The Bombay Sapphire Gin Company, which has restored the mill and commissioned an outstanding design for a contemporary glass-house from the designer Thomas Heatherwick. The visit ends with a complimentary taste of Bombay Gin or soft drink of your choice.

More details and booking form can be found in the Documents section under the 'Our Society' tab above.

Image courtesy of The Bombay Sapphire Gin Company

Famously home to Franz Hals’ The Laughing Cavalier, the Wallace Collection is renowned for its outstanding displays of French 18th century paintings, furniture, sculpture and ceramics beautifully shown in the intimate setting of Hertford House, London, former home of the Marquesses of Hertford. Our visit will include a guided tour of the highlights of the collection. After the tour there is the option of a visit to the Henry Moore exhibition and an elegant lunch is offered in the highly-regarded Peyton and Byrne Wallace Restaurant.

Image courtesy of the Wallace Collection

As a follow-up to our January lecture, this ambitious exhibition features key objects alongside Ruskin’s contemporaries and newly commissioned material by contemporary artists. The exhibition will explore how John Ruskin’s influence, throughout the arts, education, the economy and the environment, is still being felt today. A guided tour of Two Temple Place will also offer free self-guided entrance to the exhibition.

Following the visit an optional three-course lunch is offered in the splendid Elizabethan Hall of the Middle Temple, where Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ was first performed. 

Photo courtesy of Peter Dazeley

Horace Walpole created his gothic villa at Strawberry Hill as a home for an outstanding collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture, books and artefacts. Many works he commissioned for specific rooms, each of which has its own historical theme. Great paintings by Reynolds, van Dyck and Allan Ramsay are complemented by a 1st century Roman eagle, a distinguished Boulle cabinet, a fine collection of miniatures and a Limoges enamelled hunting horn. The collection was dispersed world-wide in 1842 and this loan exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Walpole’s treasures returned to the atmospheric setting which he created for them. After a guided tour, lunch in the Garden Café is included.

The brochure and application form will be found in the Documents section, under the 'Our Society' tab above.

Image courtesy of Strawberry Hill House

MORNING VISIT TO DORICH HOUSE MUSEUM

A local hidden gem, Dorich House Museum at Kingston University is the former studio home of the Russian sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband the Hon. Richard Hare. Designed by Dora Gordine, it was completed in 1936 and is an exceptional example of a modern studio house, designed by and for a female artist.  As well as a major collection of Dora’s paintings, drawings and sculpture, the Museum displays Richard Hare’s important Russian collection: icons, ceramics, glassware, folk art and furniture, dating from the early 18th century to the early 20th century. Located in Kingston Vale, overlooking Richmond Park, Dorich House is a short drive from Wimbledon and accessible by public transport.

MORNING CITY WALK – CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

This morning walk will start in the Herzog and de Meuron ‘Spiral’ at Tate Modern on the South Bank, for an overview of the architecture of the City of London.  We will continue over Norman Foster’s Millennium Bridge, with its river views to St Paul’s Cathedral and 1 New Change where we will visit the roof garden.  We will then continue through the City to see at close hand the iconic new buildings familiarly known as the ‘Gherkin’, the ‘Walkie Talkie’ and the ‘Cheesegrater’. We will be led by an experienced and knowledgeable city guide who will arrange entry to the buildings where possible. There will be a coffee-break during the morning.

VISIT BY COACH TO WILTON HOUSE

Set in beautiful Wiltshire countryside and home to the Earls of Pembroke since the 1540s, Wilton House is renowned for its architectural history and its fabulous collection of paintings. Our visit will include a guided tour of the house with its famous double-cube room by Inigo Jones and works of art by van Dyck, Pieter Breughel, Rembrandt van Rijn and Richard Wilson, followed by lunch in the Palladian restaurant.  In the afternoon, there will be ample time to wander in the extensive grounds and gardens and to visit the Earl of Pembroke’s display of classic cars, as well as an exhibition of stylish photographs - ‘Cecil Beaton at Wilton’.           

MORNING VISIT TO THE MUSEUM OF BRANDS, PACKAGING AND ADVERTISING combined with A WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC PORTOBELLO ROAD AFTER LUNCH

The Museum presents the history of consumer culture featuring over 12,000 original items from 1800 to the present day. You’ll see Rimmel cosmetics from the 1890s, First World War Oxo cubes, Mars Bars and KitKats from the 1930s and a chopper bike from the 1970s. These and a host of other exhibits will give both a nostalgic glance down memory lane and open your eyes to the way we have lived and shopped. We will have a formal introduction to the collection and then be free to tour on our own. A sandwich lunch is provided in an attractive café and garden and then we will make our way back to the Underground through historic Portobello Road and the streets made famous by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in the film ‘Notting Hill’.

The brochure and booking form will be found in the Documents section under the 'Our Society' tab above.

MORNING VISIT TO THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC MUSEUM

The RAM Museum houses a rare collection of musical instruments and manuscripts including a violin by Stradivari which was played to Queen Marie Antoinette and a trench gramophone from the first world-war.  Our visit will include a tour of the special exhibition, The Spencer Collection: A Musical Banquet, which includes an extraordinary collection of instruments, manuscripts, printed music and curiosities, which belonged to the late Robert Spencer, the renowned lutenist and pioneer of the early music revival.  This visit will add a rich dimension to our lecture on 11 April, ‘The Lute in Old Master Painting’.

Click on this link for Brochure and Booking form or find it in the Documents section under the 'Our Society' tab.

MORNING VISIT TO SPENCER HOUSE

We will have a guided tour of the magnificent state rooms of this fine 18th century town house, built by the first Earl Spencer, ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. Situated in St James’s Place (near Green Park) it is an outstanding example of early neo-classical architecture and houses a fine collection of paintings and furniture. With limited public opening, this tour of Spencer House is a ‘must see’ opportunity.

The booking form can be found in the 'Documents' section below the 'Our Society' tab above, or click on this link to go direct.

Once known as 'Number 1 London', the grandest address in the capital, this beautiful building was the London home of the first Duke of Wellington and has changed very little since his great victory at Waterloo in 1815. The house contains glittering interiors and a very fine art collection with paintings by Velasquez, Rubens and several Dutch masters, as well as Wellington memorabilia and a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain.

Set in the heart of Royal London, Wellington Arch was built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later becoming a victory arch proclaiming Wellington's defeat of Napoleon. It is crowned by the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, depicting the Angel of Peace descending on the 'Quadriga', the four-horsed chariot of War.

Full details and the booking form can be found by clicking here.

King's Cross is one of the largest and most exciting redevelopments in London. The 67 acres site has a rich history and a unique setting. What was an underused industrial wasteland is being transformed into a new part of the city with homes, shops, offices, galleries, bars, restaurants, schools and even a university.

Inside the London Canal Museum you can see a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals and its cargoes, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. This unique waterways museum is housed in a former ice warehouse built in about 1862-3 for Carlo Gatti, the famous ice cream maker, and features the history of the ice trade and ice cream as well as the canals.

The booking form and further information will be found by clicking on this link.

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE (originally the 6th June 2017)

Discover the work of the great Victorian artist, George Frederic Watts, with over 100 paintings and sculptures on permanent display in the Watts Gallery. The morning tour will also include a visit to the Chapel, exhibition and the newly opened Watts Studios.

Built in the reign of Elizabeth I, Loseley Park stands in ancient Surrey parklands and has been the home of the More-Molyneux family since 1562. The house is steeped in history with works of art and furniture from the 17th century onwards. The Walled Garden covers 2.5 acres and is divided into unique 'rooms', each with its own planting system.

Click here for a booking form and further information

Sandham Memorial Chapel is a hidden jewel nestling in the Hampshire countryside. Drawing from the Renaissance chapels of Venice and Florence, the artist Sir Stanley Spencer has created a series of epic murals dedicated to the forgotten dead of the First World War. Dominated by Stanley's Resurrection of war dead, Sandham has been called England's answer to the Sistine Chapel.

The Stanley Spencer Gallery opened in 1962 and is set in the heart of Cookham where Spencer grew up. For Spencer, Cookham was the scene of heavenly visitations. The gallery provides a rare opportunity to see an artist's work in the village where he was born and spent much of his working life.

The booking form and further information will be found, as usual, by clicking on the 'Our Society' tab and then going to the Documents section.

The morning will be devoted to the Freemasons' Hall which was built as a memorial to the many freemasons who died on active service in the First World War and houses a library and museum. It is a Grade 2 listed building and is the only art deco building in London which has been preserved 'as built' and is still used for its original purpose. Central to the building is the Grand Temple, meeting place for Grand Lodge with its magnificent masonic bronze doors. The Freemasons are celebrating their Tercentenary in 2017, so this is a special year to visit this unique building.

The booking form for this visit will be found, as usual, by clicking on the 'Our Society' tab and then going to the Documents section.

The museum, close to Kew Bridge, contains one of the world's foremost collections of self-playing musical instruments. From the tiniest of clockwork musical boxes to the 'Mighty Wurlitzer' the collection embraces an impressive and comprehensive array of sophisticated reproducing pianos, orchestrions, orchestrelles, domestic organs and violin players. The visit will describe how music was captured and powered. There will be a chance to hear the instruments being demonstrated including the 'Mighty Wurlitzer'.

The flyer and application form can be found in the Documents section which is under the 'Our Society' tab.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative art and design and has unrivalled collections of contemporary and historic works spanning 5,000 years. It houses some of the world’s greatest resources for studying a wide range of the decorative and fine arts including glass. V&A guide 

Elizabeth Hamilton will lead a tour of the Glass Galleries, highlighting particular decorative techniques in vogue through the centuries. The tour will conclude with the diverse contemporary collection which includes several superb pieces by Dale Chihuly, the American glass sculptor whose works are considered unique in the field of blown glass.

Sambourne House

From 1875, 18 Stafford Terrace was the home of Punch cartoonist and illustrator, Edward Linley Sambourne.  The house gives an insight into the personal lives of the Sambourne family who lived there for 35 years.

Leighton House

Leighton House Museum (a private palace of art) is the former home and studio of leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830 – 1896).

An opportunity to spend the day visiting two very different Victorian houses.

Go to the Documents section for full details and an application form.

As well as displays of maritime

history and artefacts, the National

Maritime Museum has one of the

finest art collections in the country

housed in both the main museum

and in Inigo Jones’s Queen’s

House. The paintings are not only

of ships but include a portrait

collection which is second only to

that of the National Portrait

Gallery while Captain Cook’s

voyages are represented in several

large landscapes.

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren

and Nicholas Hawksmoor, the Old

Royal Naval College comprises one

of the largest and finest groups of

buildings in the UK. A centrepiece

is the magnificent Painted Hall

decorated on both walls and ceiling

by Sir James Thornhill. The Chapel

is an example of a complete

neoclassical interior in the Greek

revival style.

The late 17c mansion is set in a beautiful 700 acre deer park landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown whose tercentenary falls in 2016. The house contains the National Trust’s finest collection of pictures with numerous works by Turner (who was a regular visitor), Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake.

It also has a magnificent sculpture gallery with ancient and neo-classical works, fine furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The servants’ quarters have fascinating kitchens including a copper batterie de cuisine of more than 1000 pieces. There will be time to visit Petworth town and/or the park and woodland garden.

Further details and the printable booking form will be found in the 'Documents' link in the 'About Us' tab.

Home to the Dukes of Wellington since 1817, Stratfield Saye has a unique collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and personal effects of the Great Duke. Situated south of Reading, the house was built in around 1630 and was extended in the 18th century and has Roman mosaic pavements in the entrance hall. There is a museum which includes the Duke’s funeral carriage, while the grave of his famous horse Copenhagen may be seen under an oak tree. The grounds

include an American garden, rose garden, rare trees and a farm shop.

The house remains a family home and has very limited openings each year.

An Application form can be found in the 'Documents' link on the 'About Us' page.

As bookings are filling up now, please email the organiser, Belinda Leathes to check on availability before sending off the form. belindaleathes@gmail.com

Built between 1839 and 1852, the Mansion House is the grand official residence and office of the Lord Mayor of London. It has many magnificent rooms including the famous ‘Egyptian Hall’.

It is also home to the superb Harold Samuel Collection of 84 Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17c ‘Golden Age’. Sir John Soane’s fine Bank of England building sadly was demolished in the 1920s (apart from some outer walls), but the Bank has made a complete architectural reconstruction of his Stock Office as part of its museum.

There are no guided tours, but we can attend a presentation in the cinema and will have time to look at the museum’s exhibits.

      WIDFAS SUPPER PARTY & QUIZ

            Following  the sold - out success of last year’s evening and by popular request, we will be holding another fun-packed festive frolic on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4th at 7.00 P.M. in the Lounge at Sacred Heart.

Come with friend, spouse or Significant Other by all means but you will draw for teams on arrival when you will pull out a name from a Lucky Dip bag ; it might say “The Hermitage”,”The Prado” or “Tate Modern”  –  you get the idea. You have to circulate, glass in hand, looking for four others who have drawn the same Team Name.  You will also find a table with the Team Name indicated and a member of the Committee will join you there  –  this person will be your scribe, faithfully writing down your informative answers to the questions asked most of which will be shown on the screen e.g you might see a picture of the Mona Lisa and be asked by what other name is she known  or what job did Gauguin do before he went to Tahiti or more challenging, what was the name of the artist whose giant spider was displayed outside Tate Modern a few years ago? This quiz is tailor- made for Widfas members as the four rounds are all on artists, pictures , sculptures, statues and matters of that ilk, so no problem! The object of the evening is to have fun and have time to talk to members you have only glimpsed in the more formal evenings when we have our lectures. Beware! Numbers are limited to fifty four  so as they say, “Book early to avoid disappointment!”

Go to the Documents page for more information, to be found by clicking the 'About Us' tab.

Founded in 1766 by James Christie, the fine arts auction house holds over 400 auctions a year in its 12 salerooms in London and abroad. The guided tour lasts about an hour, preceded by coffee and a talk on the history of the company and the highs and lows of the art market. There will be a walk around the building which has been home to its salerooms since 1823. The auction process will be explained in detail and all the main viewing galleries will be seen. We plan to visit on a day when we can see a sale in progress, but until Christie’s has announced its 2015 auctions programme, we cannot confirm the exact date of our visit.

An extraordinary and extravagant pleasure palace, the Royal Pavilion was built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823. Redesigned by John Nash, it is remarkable for its exotic Indian appearance on the outside and for its Chinese and Mughal Indian decoration inside. Adored by fashionable Regency society, it is still a striking landmark for the town today. It houses some of the finest collections and examples of the chinoiserie style in Britain. There will be time to visit the excellent Brighton & Hove Museum, located just across the garden.

The booking form for this visit can be downloaded from the documents section under the 'About Us' tab. The details about the two pick up points are also in this section.

We have reserved back row seats in the Lower Gallery of Shakespeare's Globe to see "As You Like It" This ensures a good view and comfort as we can lean against the back wall. The performance begins at 2 pm and arrangements are being made for a pre-performance lunch at a restaurant close to the Theatre. 

After much restoration, magnificent Kenwood is open again. Set on the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil gardens, Kenwood is one of London’s hidden gems. This majestic villa was the home of the great judge Lord Mansfield and his family, including his mixed-race niece, Dido Belle. The house has breathtaking interiors, remodelled by Robert Adam between 1764 and 1779, and a stunning art collection assembled by Lord Iveagh. The array of masterpieces includes Rembrandt’s self-portrait and Vermeer’s The Guitar Player.

The booking form for this visit can be downloaded from the documents section under the 'About Us' tab. The details about the two pick up points are also in this section.

This historic and enchanting Tudor Manor House is set in the charming estate village of Chenies in Buckinghamshire. It is a Grade I listed building dating from 1460, having been granted manorial rights in 1180. Restyled in 1560 with 23 distinctive brick chimneys, the house was visited by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I and has contemporary furniture and tapestries and a collection of antique dolls. It is especially noted for its beautiful gardens which include a physic garden, two mazes, kitchen garden, sunken garden and herbaceous borders which are splendid in June.

The booking form for this visit can be downloaded from the documents section under the 'About Us' tab. The details about the two pick up points are also in this section

Immerse yourself in 1930s’ Art Deco decadence at Eltham Palace, one of the most enchanting visitor attractions in London. Built by the wealthy Courtauld family, it stands next to the remains of the original Eltham Palace, the childhood home of Henry VIII. It is among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in England, reflecting the high fashion of the 1930s. The stunning entrance hall, marvellous panelled dining room, luxurious bathroom and the magnificent Great Hall are just some of the highlights. The 19 acre period garden, with a medieval bridge and moat, is beautiful all the year round.

Booking for this visit is now open. You can download the flyer from the documents section under the 'About us' tab

The tour of around 75 minutes covers the history of the British Library and its collections. It explains how the millions of items are stored and how they are requested and delivered to the reading rooms. We will see the Library’s ‘jewel in the crown’, the King’s Library, which once belonged to King George III. The visit takes us into a book handling room and also, when possible, to the viewing platform where we will be able to see researchers at work. Finally, we will tour the Treasures Gallery where the Library’s most precious manuscripts, books and musical scores are on display.

Booking for this visit is now open. You can click here or download the flyer and application form from the Documents section under the About Us tab

Booking for this is now open. You can download the flyer from the documents section under the 'About us' tab

This visit is now sold out

Booking for this visit will open on 14 May

This visit has been cancelled because of lack of support

We can also see the delightful cottage garden before setting off­ for a pub lunch and a visit to Farley Farmhouse, former home of photographer Lee Miller and her husband Roland Penrose, painter, biographer and close friend of Picasso. Many surrealist artists were visitors including Ernst, Miro and Man Ray. Works by them and many others are displayed in the house which is maintained largely as it was when occupied by the Penrose family. There is also a sculpture garden and barn gallery. You can now book for this visit. The flyer and booking form and details about the pick up points are in documents under the 'About Us' tab

The 90 minute tour will begin in a courtroom where we will hear the history of the Courts and be given an explanation of their current roles. There are a few places still available for this tour. The booking form can be downloaded from the documents section under the 'About Us' tab

After lunch (not included), we will visit the Guildhall Gallery which was established in 1886 as, 'a Collection of Art Treasures worthy of the capital city'. We will see works dating from 1670 to the present, including seventeenth century portraits, Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces and a fascinating range of paintings documenting London's dramatic history. There are still a few places available for this visit. If you would like more details and a booking form please see the documents section under the 'About Us' tab.