OUTING to Kelmscott Manor
10:00 am, Thursday, 24 June, 2010

An all day coach outing to Kelmscott Manor, the country home of William Morris.

William Morris was a poet, craftsman and socialist who chose Kelmscott as his summer home, signing a lease on it with the Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the summer of 1871. The Grade 1 listed house, adjacent to the River Thames and built of local limestone in 1570, is owned and managed by the Society of Antiquaries and is the most evocative of all the houses associated with William Morris. It contains a collection of the possessions and works of Morris and his associates, including furniture, textiles, carpets and ceramics.

Travelling by coach we will first stop at Kelmscott church where William Morris, his wife Jenny and children are buried in the churchyard, before breaking for lunch. In the afternoon we will be given an introductory talk on the Manor, and then a room-by room guided tour. Since our last visit in 2006 more of the house has been opened up including the old kitchen where there is a display of carved wood panels from the Society of Antiquaries’ collection. There will then be time to walk around the gardens and visit the shop and exhibition. Finally we will have afternoon tea before leaving.

There are three options for lunch: the restaurant at the Manor (£13.65 for a savoury flan, choice of salads, dessert and tea/coffee), ‘The Plough’ pub in Kelmscott village, or bring a picnic.

TIMINGS -
Depart:
Pewsey (Bouverie Hall) - 10am
Devizes (Station Road) - 10.30am
Marlborough (Lloyds Bank) - 11.00am

Arrive Kelmscott - 12 noon
Depart Kelmscott - 4.45pm

Arrive:
Marlborough - 5.30pm
Devizes - 6.00pm
Pewsey - 6.30pm

- Please indicate when booking where you will get on the coach.

If lunch at Kelmscott Manor restaurant is prefered (£13.65) this must be booked in advance (this can't be booked on-line) - please contact the Bookings Secretary.

Booking:

Essential. Contact the Bookings Secretary on 01380 727369, e-mail or use the Google shopping cart.