Crafty William Morris

Today we visited Kelmscott Manor, the former home of Arts & Crafts founder William Morris, who fell in love with the place in 1871. Initially he rented the house for a year and lived there with his wife Jane and two Daughters and also with the artist Rossetti. He later fell out with Rossetti, as he didn't like the kind of relationship that was developing between his beautiful wife and the artist.

Morris wanted to secure the future for his family, so he took out a 20 year lease and made improvements to the property. After his death, his Daughter May continued to live there and she then bequeathed it to the University of Oxford, so that it would be preserved as her Father would have wished it. Unfortunately, the University had to relinquish the house because they could no longer pay for major repairs needed and it was passed on to the Society of Antiquaries, who still own it today.

There are fine examples of his work in the house and you get a real sense of what he was trying to achieve there. There is plenty to see around the village of Kelmscott too. The stone-slab sheep fences, introduced by Arts and Crafts architect Ernest Gimson are incredible. The relief of Morris dreaming beneath a tree is by George Jack and is built into the wall of a house. William & Jane Morris are buried in St Georges's Church in the village. The tomb designed by Philip Webb is called a hog-back tomb and is apparently like something from the Viking era.
The stained glass is by William Morris and is in a Eaton Hastings Church, a few miles down the road.
The food in the tearoom was delicious and the goods for sale in the small shop weren't overpriced.

We've lived less than 5 miles away from the Manor for 14 years and this was our first visit. Isn't that sometimes the way? Thoroughly enjoyed our day and I'd highly recommend it.