Walk Leader
Avril Jones
Capacity
8
The Watts Gallery Chapel is small but offers a great deal to see, inside and out. The architecture packs a lot of features into the little building, which is lined with extraordinary artwork, specially made by artists on the site. One of the interesting things about the chapel is that it welcomes all faiths.
From the estate's own website:
"This unique Grade I-listed terracotta building is the work of artist and designer Mary Watts. Over 70 people from the local community helped her create it between 1895 and 1904. It opened in 1898 and remains a working chapel to this day.
"Clay tiles decorate the outside. They blend Celtic, Romanesque, and Art Nouveau influences. Inside the Chapel you will find one of the most important and experimental wall paintings in England."
https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/explore-our-site/watts-cemetery-chapel
The chapel and cemetery are open to the public and free to visit. It is occasionally closed to the public for private events so I will have to check nearer to the date in case a change of timing becomes necessary.
Should anyone wish to stay longer, after the chapel visit, the Watts Gallery Artists Village offers a great deal more to see and do, but there is an admission fee. There are several concessions and admission is free to members of Historic Houses. Here is a link to the ticket pricing page: https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/ticket-pricing
Walk Location
Watts Chapel, Compton, Guildford
Walk Directions
We will meet in the Watts Cafe, which is within the Visitor Centre, at 11:30am on Thursday 4th June for a coffee and chat before walking over to the chapel. The website says the walk takes about eight minutes including a stretch alongside a country lane, so do take care and stay within the marked footpath.
GETTING THERE
Watts Gallery, Down Lane, Guildford, GU3 1DQ
If driving, unless you know the A3 very well indeed, I would recommend you choose a route that avoids it, going instead via Peasmarsh or Godalming. It's too easy to take a wrong turn off the A3 and it's a lengthy detour to get back on route. Guess how I know this ...
There are helpful directions for driving and public transport on the website, here:
https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/getting-here
PARKING
The best spot is the Visitor Centre car park. In the unlikely event that it is full, the Watts Gallery car park is the next nearest.
Accessibility
It is best if I simply direct you, once again, to the website as I have never seen such detailed and thoughtful accessibility information as they provide. You will have to scroll most of the way down the page to reach the chapel information, with photos, but the rest of the page is helpful to those wanting to spend time at the other locations. https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/access/planning-your-visit
Feedback Meeting Type
Decide At Walk
Feedback Talk Date and Time