Visits

The Arts Society Nottingham

A visit to Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, Warwickshire

Thursday June 8th 2023

We are delighted to be able to reschedule the trip to Compton Verney planned originally for March 2020 but delayed because of covid.

Compton Verney fully opened to the public as a major, nationally accredited art gallery in March 2004. It houses six permanent collections, focusing on areas currently under-represented in British museums and galleries namely:

• British Folk Art
• British Portraits
• Chinese Collection
• Marx-Lambert Collection
• Naples Collection
• Northern European Collection

The gallery is set in 120 acres of Grade II listed classical parkland, designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the most eminent landscape architect of the 18th Century.

There are two main temporary exhibitions that are running at the time of our visit.

1. Quentin Blake: Birds, Beasts & Explorers

Showcasing 70 works from the House of Illustration, this exhibition explores children & adults’ relationship with the natural world. Family friendly illustrations from the two children’s books ‘Up with Birds’ & ‘Cockatoos’ will be displayed alongside more grown-up illustrations, including from the recently published ‘Birds and People’ catalogue. The exhibition will also show illustrations of beasts both real and imaginary and will feature characters exploring the outdoors and encourage engagement with beasts in the grounds and beyond!

   2. Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain

This will be the first exhibition dedicated to the rich tapestry of folk customs found in the UK today. It will explore the central role played by costume in local and seasonal folk customs, bringing together over 40 costumes created, customised, and worn by individual practitioners, many of which have never been exhibited before.

The visit will include:

• Tea, coffee and shortbread on arrival
•  Guided tour of one of the two temporary exhibitions (depending on the numbers attending, we may need to split the group into 3 in order that the tours are as accessible as possible). On the booking form we are asking for personal preferences and, whilst we will endeavour to give people their first choice, it may not always be possible
• A lunch of soup and sandwiches.
• Time to explore the other exhibitions, The Women’s Library, the shop and the extensive gardens.

Accessibility

The distance from the car park to the house is a 10-15 minute walk. However, there is a constantly running shuttle bus service operating from the car park to the house for the convenience of visitors. All the floors in the house and art galleries are accessible by lift.

Travel and Cost

We will be travelling with Skills Coaches and the pick-up point is the Clifton South Park and Ride, departing at 9.00, arriving at Compton Verney by approximately 10.30. We expect to return to the Clifton site by 5.00 pm. The cost of the trip is £50 which includes coach travel, entrance to Compton Verney, coffee and biscuit, one hour guided tour and lunch. If anyone attending already holds an annual membership with Compton Verney they will have a reduction of £15.30 (thus pay £34.70)

Places

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that places can be transferred but only to members. No money can be refunded. We are now able to offer places to guests should members wish to bring them. We look forward to seeing you for what promises to be a really interesting day.

Booking Form

This is included in the pdfs at the bottom right of the home screeen or Click here. For guests, it is the member who should complete the form and pay using their membership number and should also include the name of the guest.  The cost for guests is the same as that for members.