Visit to Kelmscott on the 31st of May

We met up at 10am at Kelmscott Manor for a talk and guided tour.
I knew this was going to be a truly fabulous day out, and so it proved to be, if you were there, you experienced it, and if you weren't, you missed a wonderful experience, try and go on the next trip.
Kelmscott Manor was the country home of William Morris - poet, craftsman and socialist from 1871 until his death in 1896.
The house contains a collection of the possessions and works of William Morris and his associates, including furniture, textiles, carpets and ceramics.
We were divided into 2 groups and given a guided tour of the house which lasted over an hour by a very knowledgeable guide.
What were the highlights for me?
Making the connection between Morris's liking of Isnik pottery and his use of colour and floral designs. I bought a plate from the shop which has a typical Isnik design from about 1550. It's shown below, it's gorgeous and is a joy to look at each day.

Other highlights were Morris's bed with embroideries by Jane and May Morris and the wallpaper designed by Morris on many of the walls.
 The television programme shown on Tuesday the 12th of June 'All in the Best Possible Taste With Grayson Perry' looked at the middle classes, William Morris's 'Willow Pattern' wallpaper in Tunbridge Wells was cited as the height of good taste.
We were not allowed to take photographs of the inside of the house, but I think I made up for the lack of interior images with some from outside the house.

Here we are gathering outside the front of the house. You might just be able to see Paul taking photos.

 What a brilliant idea for a covered walkway to a door.

And what a lovely place to sit.

Imagine having the Thames along one of the garden boundaries.

After the rigours of the morning, a pub lunch was called for at the pub down the road, the Plough.
To find out more about visiting Kelmscott Manor, please visit the website at: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk
To find out about 'A Walk Round the Gallery with Denys Hodson on the 30th of April' please visit: www.swindonopenstudios.blogspot.com
Here's one of many photograph taken for that entry:

'Nonny' by R. Ossory Dunlop 1933-34, this is one of my favourite paintings in the exhibition.