Watts Gallery

I really enjoyed stopping in at this gallery. It’s quite small and feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. I wouldn’t have known about it except that it’s one of the stops on walk 2 of Time Out Book of Country Walks.
Though the gallery is mostly dedicated to the work of George Frederick Watts, it also hosts exhibits by other related artists working around the same time. All together, the exhibits are a lovely snapshot of a particular period within the history of English art. I especially loved the collection of ceramics by William and Evelyn DeMorgan. I felt like the sculpture garden room was a bit small. They had a copy of Watts’ Physical Energy and there wasn’t enough room around it for me to get far enough away to appreciate it.
They had a temporary exhibit of the work and life of Richard Dadd which was really cool to see up close. His work has so much intricate detail that I’d always assumed that it was much larger than it actually is. There was also a free exhibit on at the visitors centre of some very delightfully retro looking art prints that were produced for the masses in the post-​war period.
Lunch at the gallery tea shop was mostly pleasant. My friend and I both had variations on Welsh rarebit with elderflower ciders. I’m not an expert on Welsh rarebit so I’ll defer to my friend who said it was the best he’d had. The weather was really nice so we’d decided to sit on the terrace outside, which would have been pleasant but for the many wasps that descended upon us. The gallery has many wasp traps around, but evidently not enough to keep the population down. So if you’re afraid of being stung, probably best to eat indoors.

I tend to pride myself on knowing a little about Art but confess I had never heard of George Frederick Watts-​the first living artist to be given a solo exhibition at New York’s Met (gleaned from the Gallery’s guidebook). Why on earth hadn’t I heard of him? Maybe it’s got something to do with this gallery, which means all his works are retained under one roof. The Gallery is essentially a collection of lovely buildings in the Arts and Crafts style. If I am honest I was left a little cold by some of his works, particulaly those that were similar in subject to the Pre-​Raphaelites-​mythical, Proserpine-​type pouty women. However, his portraits are an absolute delight and show him to be a truly World class artist. Currently there is an exhibition of paintings detailing Victorian fashion which was really interesting. A bit of a let down was the sculpture gallery simply because of the sparsity of the works. My one regret was to miss a painting by Watts’ wife who was a talented painter in her own right. When you visit there is a decent café and you must also stop at the Watts cemetery chapel which is just down the road.

The food is good. But. It would be nice if the staff were happy to serve you. (They have a happiness box where you can put in money to make them happier :))
Don’t turn up too late in the afternoon or you might hear this conversation.
Waitress 1: Is it five o’clock? (loudly)
Waitress 2: Oh, yes it is five o’clock. (loudly)
They close at 5. Don’t overstay your welcome.

Near the astonishing Memorial Chapel with its intricate carvings and allegorical imagery, the Watts Gallery is also well known for its tea-​shop which offers a range of teas and very nice cakes as well as being renowned for its Welsh Rarebit (cheese on toast, but what cheese on toast!).
Currenly undergoing renovation but this doesn’t affect the experience too much. A welcome stopover on a walk from Guildford.

Ok, I’ll admit it. The main reason i jump in the car and head over to Watts Gallery is for the Tea Shop. It is great!
Its like stepping back in time in some ways, a hidden gem of a place where you may have to queue for a little table but it is worth it.
The homemade sponges and cream teas are not for the faint hearted or those who are on a diet but well worth a visit.
All eggs are free range and organic, amazing selection of teas. A great place to take visitors for an afternoon tea with a difference away from the maddening crowd.
PS. Make sure you wear trousers with an elasicated waist

Though the gallery is shut for refurbishment, the site and the associated shop, café and pottery make for an interesting stop if you’re journeying back across the ‘Hogsback’ or walking the North Downs Way.
The Gallery Shop has moved to the head of the long range of buildings as you enter the site. The commercial potter sits behind it with, frankly, inferior stock (that from the Gallery Shop is far better in spirit and execution). The café remains as super as it ever was, serving tea and cakes of the highest quality in generous proportion and at reasonable prices.
Can’t wait for the Gallery to re-​open in 2010. The refurbishment will be attempting to return it to the way Watts envisaged it, with vibrant colour and display providing the necessary backdrop to his allegorical works.
In the meantime, the tea and cakes and gallery shop combined with an amble to the Watts Memorial Chapel — a masterpiece of the art-​nouveau terrocotta workers craft; a truly remarkable building — will suffice.