Watts Gallery - Artists' Village

Nestled in the Surrey Hills stands Watts Gallery - Artists' Village. A heritage site teeming with culture and excitement. The Artists' Village offers a creative home for the art collection of G F and Mary Watts in the historic galleries, and chances for new artists to flourish no matter what their age. From workshops to contemporary exhibitions, from our Artists in Residency scheme to tours of the historic Arts & Crafts house on the hill, there's plenty to inspire with our Art for All ethos. First opening its doors to the public in 1904, Watts Gallery is a purpose-built art gallery created for the display of works by the great Victorian artist George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817-1904). After a major restoration project, visitors can now experience the Watts Collection in the historic galleries displaying the original decorative schemes. G.F. Watts holds a unique position within British art. He was critically acclaimed, admired by his fellow artists, both home and abroad, and was popularly adored, allowing him the platform to explore his idea of a poet-painter who could preach eternal truths and provoke social reform. Over one hundred paintings by G.F. Watts are on permanent display at Watts Gallery. Spanning a period of 70 years they include portraits, landscapes and his major symbolic works. From the dramatic entrance of the Livanos Gallery to the monumental sculpture and studio artefacts in the Sculpture Gallery, Watts Gallery shows the unique collection left by the artist as his legacy in the heart of a village.