Kelmscott Manor
About Kelmscott Manor
The summer home of William Morris, Kelmscott Manor is a Grade I listed limestone manor house adjacent to the River Thames in the Cotswolds village of Kelmscott, in West Oxfordshire, built around 1600.
Described as a ‘Heaven on Earth’ by Morris, he loved the Manor house and adjoining farm buildings as a work of true craftsmanship, totally unspoilt and unaltered, and in harmony with the surrounding countryside. Its beautiful gardens, with barns, dovecote, a meadow and stream, provided a constant source of inspiration.
Visitors today can still experience the beauty and seclusion that inspired many of William Morris’s most important designs and writings as well as influencing his ideas on conservation for both the built and natural environments.
The house – perhaps the most evocative of all the houses associated with Morris – contains an outstanding collection of the possessions and works of Morris, his family and his Arts & Crafts associates, including furniture, original textiles, pictures, carpets, ceramics and metalwork.
There are regular events and activities throughout the Open Season.
The Manor and Gardens are now closed for major conservation and refurbishment works, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the ongoing Kelmscott Manor: Past Present & Future Campaign, which will continue throughout 2020/21. Kelmscott Manor will reopen to the public on Friday 01 April 2022.
Opening times
Monday and Tuesday: School parties only with prior arrangement
Wednesday: Coach parties with prior arrangement
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: General public
From 10.30am to 5.00pm with last entry to the Manor house 4.00pm. Pre-booking online is advisable. Bookings are now being taken.
Sunday: Closed
Admission costs
Adults: £12.00 (Standard) or £13.20 (with GiftAid)
Concessions (Students and children from 5 to 16): £7.00 (Standard) or £7.70 (with GiftAid)
Family: (2 adults & 2 Children) £29.00 (Standard) £31.90 (with GiftAid)
Ticket price includes access to Manor house, meadows and formal gardens.
Tickets
Please, be sure to select the correct date that you require.
Facilities
Toilets, Licensed Tearoom, Gift Shop.
Accessibility
The Manor house has step free access to the ground floor rooms only, all other buildings have step free access. Accessible toilet available.
Parking
A new designated parking area has been instigated keeping vehicles away from the Manor House Estate and ensuring the protection of the historic buildings and natural environment of the village of Kelmscott.
Guidebook
A new guidebook written by the celebrated architectural and art historian Jeremy Musson will be available in the Shop and online. The new book will expand the history of the site and include the wider Morris family, featuring Jane, May and Jenny, as well as Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the servants.
Read more about Kelmscott Manor
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