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Take a tour around the Cotswold Arts and Crafts Trail with Anne Bartlett Blue Badge Tour Guide.
The Arts and Crafts Movement flourished in the Cotswolds during the late 19th and early 20th century. Headed by William Morris, followers such as Charles Robert Ashbee, Ernest Gimson and Ernest and Sidney Barnsley came to live and work in remote villages away from the industrial cities. They were inspired by the landscape, the hills and valleys and the stone built cottages.
Route 1: The North Cotswolds:
Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery
Begin your tour with a visit to the Arts and Crafts Gallery, here the displays of furniture and furnishings from this period are of national even international importance. Appreciate the fine craftsmanship in the furniture, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, glass, textiles, paintings and woodcarvings. Continue the tour to Winchcombe. |
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Winchcombe Pottery
Michael Cardew having been well trained at the Bernard Leach pottery in St Ives, arrived in Winchcombe in 1926 and re-established a derelict pottery workshop just outside the town. With the help of local potters he began producing earthenware and stoneware pottery for everyday use. The pottery continues today, having trained many students who have become well known potters in their own right. Visitors are welcome and can look around the showroom and at certain times, see the potters at work. Continue the tour to Broadway, possibly stopping at Snowshill Manor on the way.
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Snowshill Manor (optional visit)
The manor house contains an amazing display of craftsmanship and design including toys, clocks, musical instruments, furniture and even Japanese armour which Charles Paget Wade collected and restored. The garden was designed with the help of the Arts and Crafts architect M.H. Baillie-Scott.
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Broadway
A new museum has opened in Broadway to show the furniture and fittings produced by the Gordon Russell workshops from the 1920’s. The workshops were set up alongside the Lygon Arms Hotel and for a period of around 80 years contributed much to the reputation of good British design.
Gordon Russell became director of the Council for Industrial design from 1947 – 1959 and president of the Design and Industries Association. |
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Broadway Tower (optional visit)
Broadway Tower is an 18th century folly and has become probably the most famous landmark in the Cotswolds. The Gothic tower is open to visitors during the summer months and from the roof it is possible to see outstanding views across the Vale of Evesham and the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean. The tower also has interesting displays connected with its past. William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement used Broadway Tower as a country retreat and The Morris Room is furnished with some of his famous designs.
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Chipping Campden
Charles Robert Ashbee, some would say, was the key figure in the British Arts and Crafts Movement during the early years of the 20th century. He decided to move his Guild of Handicrafts from the East End of London to the countryside. He found an empty silk mill and empty cottages in Chipping Campden and moved his craftsmen and their families to set up business in the Cotswolds. A new museum, The Court Barn Trust, has opened in Chipping Campden to tell the story of the Guild of handicrafts and other craftsmen who worked in and around the north Cotswolds. Workshops, studios and showrooms
Also in Chipping Campden there are workshops and studios where work of high quality is being made today.
contact: anne@tourandexplore.com
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Route 2: The South Cotswolds:
Sapperton Village
South of Cirencester on the Bathurst estate is the village of Sapperton. This is where Ernest and Sidney Barnsley and Ernest Gimson, members of the Arts and Crafts Movement lived and worked producing fine individual pieces of furniture for their wealthy patrons.
Upper Dorval House was built by Ernest Barnsley, Beechanger was built by Sidney Barnsley and the Leesowes by Ernest Gimson. The houses aren't open to the public but this village has some interesting walks, so a guided walk will show you some interesting places giving you a snapshot of a time long past.
Rodmarton House and Garden
This lovely house was built by Ernest Barnsley and a group of Cotswold craftsmen and was probably one of the last country houses to be built in the old traditional style when everything was done by hand. Much of the furniture was built in the Cotswold Arts and Crafts style too. Rodmarton House and garden are open to the public in the summer on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from May to September.
Owlpen Manor House and Garden
This is a beautiful Tudor Manor House in a secluded Cotswold Valley. The restoration work was undertaken by Norman Jewson in the Arts and Crafts tradition. Owlpen House and garden are open to the public for visits from Tuesday to Sunday afternoons from May to September. The Cyder House restaurant is open for meals during open days. Booking is advisable as opening times can vary.
Kelmscott Manor House and Garden
Kelmscott Manor was the summer house of William Morris. It was a house much admired by Morris as a work of true craftsmanship. It contains lots of furniture, furnishings, carpets, ceramics, metalwork and paintings collected by Morris and friends. Kelmscott is open to the public every Wednesday 11am - 5pm from the beginning of April to the end of September. The house is also open on the first Saturday each month. Admission to the house is by timed ticket. There is a resaurant on site serving teas, coffees and light lunches.
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