UNITED KINGDOM the perfectly preserved adjoining 19th century village of Lacock.
Art Collections & Stately Homes of the West Country August 31 – September 4, 2021 from £1365 per person | with Rupert Dickens
Lacock Abbey
• From a base in Bath, explore the art treasures of this fine Georgian city, as well as historical houses in the surrounding countryside • Enjoy special access to Corsham Court, a privately owned Elizabethan manor house containing a notable art collection • Learn about the lives of individual collectors, such as the remarkable William Blathwayt of Dyrham Park The area of the West Country surrounding Bath and Salisbury features some of Britain’s most splendid stately homes, alongside several surprising art collections. This tour will offer an opportunity to explore the careers of individual collectors, and compare the ways they went about compiling their art treasures. Corsham Court is an Elizabethan house transformed in the 18th century by the Methuen family to provide a setting for their extraordinary collection of Old Master paintings. The Picture Gallery, built by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and furnished by Robert Adam, is little changed since the 18th century, and displays works by van Dyck, Murillo and Filippo Lippi. Nearby is Dyrham Park, a Baroque country house nestling in the valley at the centre of a deer park. We will hear about the remarkable career of its founder, William Blathwayt, who served as right-hand man to William III after the Glorious Revolution, and who built a unique collection of Dutch pictures, china and furniture which still adorns the house.
01223 841055
This tour will be led by Rupert Dickens, BA, MA, an art historian, accredited Arts Society lecturer and guide lecturer at the Wallace Collection. Previously a BBC television and radio journalist for over 20 years, Rupert studied art history at Birkbeck, University of London, before gaining a Masters degree in Dutch Golden Age Studies at University College London. Following his interest in the history of collections, Rupert developed this new ACE itinerary and looks forward to comparing and contrasting the motivations, methods and tastes of different collectors. We will also visit Stourhead, to savour the splendour of its world-famous landscape gardens and tour the Palladian villa designed by Colen Campbell for the Hoare family. While here, we will examine the art collection assembled by several generations of the family on the proceeds of their banking business. A further highlight of the tour will be an excursion to historical Salisbury, where we will take in the cathedral, famously depicted by John Constable in one of his most enduring works. We also hope to pay a visit to nearby Wilton House, the magnificent seat of the Earls of Pembroke, which was rebuilt in the Palladian style by Inigo Jones. The 17th century interior displays important works by Rembrandt, van Dyck and Bruegel. Meanwhile, Lacock Abbey is a country house with monastic roots, known as the birthplace of British photography. We will have time to explore the grounds and
Our base for the tour will be the beautiful city of Bath. The Holburne Museum is home to works of art by one of the city’s most famous residents, Thomas Gainsborough, who found fame here with his portraits of prominent Georgian citizens. We will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour at the Victoria Art Gallery, which houses a municipal collection built largely on bequests of works with a local connection. A visit to the beautifully refurbished No 1 Royal Crescent Museum will complete our tour. We will stay throughout at The Bird, a delightful four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Bath. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This is not a strenuous tour, but will involve some walking to reach visits and exploring the grounds of stately homes. Please note that the historical buildings visited on this tour may have uneven surfaces and steps to navigate, and lifts are not always available. Day 1 Tour assembles 1315 at The Bird, Bath, for four nights. Afternoon in Bath: Holburne Museum and Victoria Art Gallery. Evening lecture: Collectors & their Country Houses. Day 2 Morning excursion to Salisbury for historical walking tour and visit to Salisbury Cathedral. Afternoon: Wilton House (famous state rooms and notable art collection). Day 3 Morning: Corsham Court (18th century Picture Gallery) followed by Lacock Abbey (with Fox Talbot Museum) and picturesque village. Afternoon: Dyrham Park (17th century Dutch collection). Evening lecture: Gainsborough, Bath & the Georgian Portrait. Day 4 Morning lecture: The Palladian Splendour of Stourhead followed by visit to Stourhead (splendid art collection). Afternoon: Iford Manor Gardens (beautiful secluded gardens). Day 5 Morning visit to No 1 Royal Crescent Museum, Bath (beautifully refurbished Georgian interiors). Tour disperses c 1145.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks listed.
Cost of £1365 includes: accommodation based on sharing a deluxe twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £215. TOUR CODE: ACSH21
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