Watts Gallery

Though the Visitor Centre and Shop is closed for refurbishment, we are open Wednesday to Sunday as usual within a temporary Visitor Centre situated in the Old Kiln, by the entrance to the Watts Café. Watts Contemporary Gallery and KD Fine Art remain open and are accessible via the stairs on the outside of the Visitor Centre.

On Wednesday 4 February, Watts has its monthly “Pay If and What You Can” day. Head to Watts to visit the grounds and exhibitions at whatever price you want.
Women of Influence: The Pattle Sisters continues to delight in the Historic Galleries. There is still plenty of time to visit Watts Gallery and learn about how their lives changed the creative community around them. Exhibition runs until Monday 4th May 2026.
Opening on 12 February, Lines & Lineage, at Watts Contemporary Gallery, features the works of three wood engravers spanning over a century of wood engraving. In the meantime, don't miss In Print: Seven, on display until Sunday 8 February.
Get a glimpse behind the scenes at Watts Gallery on Thursday 12 February for a special “An hour in the archive” talk and tour. This exclusive event offers a rare opportunity to explore collection items and artefacts and hear more from Curatorial Advisor, Hilary Underwood.
Get a professional tintype photograph taken of you and your loved ones by photographer Emma Brown. On Friday 27 February, Watts is running a Tintype photography studio event. Book a spot in the studio to take home a photo that you can cherish forever.
Watts Tots sessions run on the first Friday of each month. From sensory experiences to messy play and collaboration there are many ways for your children to learn while having fun.
www.wattsgallery.org.uk.

Mary Watts was mentioned in BBC podcast You’re Dead To Me: The Arts and Crafts Movement: William Morris and his circle. The episode of the comedy-history podcast, hosted by Greg Jenner, is well worth a listen for anyone who wants to learn more about this movement and the artists at its forefront. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00274qh.

Nestled in the beautiful Surrey Hills, Watts Gallery first opened its doors to the public in 1904. It is unique in the UK being the only purpose-built art gallery created for the display of works by a single artist, the great Victorian artist G.F. Watts (1817-1904). Over one hundred paintings and sculptures are on permanent display; spanning a period of 70 years, they include portraits, landscapes and major symbolic works.

Perched on a hillside, overlooking the Gallery sits Limnerslease, the Autumn and Winter home and studio of G.F. and Mary Watts, originally built in the Arts & Crafts style. Limnerslease recently underwent a major restoration project. Don’t miss the chance to join a guided tour and glimpse the start of this nationally important project.

To this day, the legacy of G.F. and Mary Watts lives on, with artists working onsite and a contemporary gallery selling artwork by local and national artists. Watts Gallery also runs an extensive events programme for families, adults and young people, offering the opportunity to improve your art skills, attend a lecture, or meet one of the artists in residence.

George Frederic Watts 1817 - 1904

The English symbolist painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts lived in Compton during the latter years of his life.

George Frederic Watts occupies a unique place in the history of British painting. Famous in his day as a painter and sculptor, he gained the nickname of ‘England’s Michelangelo’. His aim was to re-invent British history painting in a grand manner, making images that were both uplifting and thought provoking. He believed art should also be accessible to everyone, not just the rich, so he gave many of his pictures to public galleries, helping to found the Tate Gallery in 1897.

Watts was a serious individual, so it may therefore come as no surprise that his marriage to the teenage actress Ellen Terry, was short lived. In later life, he married Mary Fraser-Tytler (1886) who was 36 years his junior. Mary devoted the rest of her life to her husband, both during his life and after his death.

In 1891 Watts made Limnerslease his winter retreat and it remained so until his death in 1904. Mary Watts, the inspiration behind the move to Compton and the Chapel, continued to live there until she died in 1938.

Shortly before his death in 1904, G.F. Watts saw the opening of the first and main portion of 'Watts Picture Gallery'.

Cicely Robinson is Curator.

G.F. Watts - Lion & Tiger Fighting. 1830. Aged 13

Watts Chapel

Watts Gallery