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Watts Gallery Artists’ Village Venue Hire Down Lane, Compton Guildford GU3 1DQ wattsgallery.org.uk | 01483 813590
Watts Gallery Artists’ VillageVenue Hire
Down Lane, ComptonGuildford GU3 1DQwattsgallery.org.uk | 01483 813590
Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is a beautifully landscaped Arts & Crafts estate. The Artists’ Village was created in 1904 and remains home to one of the finest collections of Victorian paintings, drawings and sculpture.
Within easy reach of central London, the Artists’ Village is located in the village of Compton, nestled in the picturesque Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This stunning setting is the ideal venue for both small and large-scale events for up to 200 guests, for dinner and drink receptions, private parties or celebrations, corporate events, team away days and bespoke weddings.
‘A hidden treasure in Compton’
The Guardian
Watts Gallery Trust is a registered charity. All income from venue hire supports our learning and outreach programmes and the care and conservation of our collection and historic estate. Registered Charity Number: 313612.
The Artists’ Village includes the historic Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, the Grade I listed Watts Chapel, the Former Compton Pottery and Limnerslease, the Wattses’ Arts & Crafts country home.
Events at the Artists’ Village
We work closely with a selection of suppliers and offer a range of spaces and packages to suit every need. Our dedicated team will tailor your event to your expectation and budget, creating a memorable and unique occasion for you and your guests.
By booking an event with us, you support our on-going education and exhibition programmes as well as the conservation and care of our estate and collection.
‘Fantastic organisation leading
up to the event... a very memorable
venue’
Barlow Robbins
Capacities
Drinks
Reception
Dinner
TheatreBoardroom
Availability
(day/evening)
Watts Gallery 200 90 100
Seminar Room 12 day
Limnerslease 50 30 30
Clore Studio 50 25 day
The Old Kiln 50 30 40 20
Watts Gallery Lawn 120 120
The Artists’ Village has parking for up to 75 vehicles. Dedicated parking spaces are available for disabled visitors.
Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, The Tea Shop and the Old Kiln are fully accessible. We regret that Limnerslease is not currently wheelchair accessible. There is a short uphill walk to Limnerslease and Watts Studios.
day/evening
day/evening
day/evening
day/evening
dinners & receptions
For larger events, the Grade II* listed Watts Gallery, one of the most beautiful small galleries in Europe, offers a refined backdrop for dinners and grand receptions. From the dramatic entrance to the sumptuous red flocked wallpaper, your guests can soak up the atmospheric spaces and the unique collection left by the eminent Victorian artist G F Watts.
We can offer exclusive evening hire of the gallery, where you can dine in the historic galleries or in a marquee on the gallery lawn, with this beautiful Victorian building as your backdrop.
For smaller dinners and receptions, enjoy private use of Limnerslease, the Wattses’ Arts & Crafts home, situated in the beautiful woodland along the Pilgrims Way. Take in the unique architectural features as you dine, including the extraordinary gesso ceiling panels designed and made by Mary Watts.
drinks receptions
Enjoy exclusive use of Watts Gallery for your evening drinks reception. Explore our historic spaces while sipping wine from local vineyards. Guided tours of the gallery and our temporary exhibition spaces can also be arranged.
Limnerslease, an important Arts & Crafts building, provides a perfect intimate setting for smaller drinks receptions. Guests may also use the lawn in finer weather, enjoying stunning views across the woodland.
Meetings & Away Days
Our spaces provide the ideal creative ambience for conferences, meetings, presentations and team away days.
The Seminar Room, with its book-lined walls, is tucked away in a secluded corner of Watts Gallery.
The Old Kiln, housed in the former Compton Pottery building, is full of character with original exposed brick walls and high ceilings.
The Clore Studio, newly opened, boasts a purpose-built studio space as well as outdoor terrace.
Limnerslease, the Wattses’ home, provides a perfect away day venue in a space that was both an inspiration and sanctuary for the artists.
AV equipment can be organised. Please enquire for details of any additional charges.
Corporate membership
Corporate Members enjoy numerous benefits including complimentary and discounted hire of our event spaces as well as privileged access to our exhibitions.
Weddingreceptions & Civil Ceremonies
Watts Gallery is the perfect venue to host your civil ceremony or wedding reception. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony or a large event, our experienced team will work with you to create the perfect day.
Take your vows in the stunning Grade II* listed gallery, followed by a drinks reception surrounded by magnificent works of art. Dine in the historic galleries or in a marquee on the lawn, with this beautiful Victorian building as your backdrop.
Enjoy exclusive use of the gallery for the day. Watts Gallery can close to the public only a few times each year. Reduced rates available on Mondays. See our Weddings Brochure for details.
Christmas
Make your Christmas celebration, family gathering or dinner with friends an occasion to remember. You and your guests can enjoy Christmas in our unique historic spaces.
With options available for Christmas dinners, smaller parties, cocktails and drinks receptions, lunches and teas, our Venue Hire Team will tailor a Christmas event to suit your requirements.
Memorials & Wakes
The calm and peaceful atmosphere of the Artists’ Village is the perfect location in which to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one.
Experience a quiet moment at Watts Chapel, taking in the stunning natural beauty of the Surrey Hills, before enjoying a catered lunch or reception with family and friends.
Intimate events such as wakes and memorials can be held in the Old Kiln, a small-scale and highly personal space.
The peaceful spaces at Limnerslease, the artists’ home, also provide a calming setting for your occasion.
Filming & Photography
Our stunning historic buildings, unique period rooms and beautiful woodlands provide incredible film locations. Our atmospheric settings can accommodate filming and photography, from small-scale productions and fashion shoots to television interviews, dramas and documentaries.
All day filming is usually available on Mondays, and evening and early mornings can be accommodated by prior arrangement.
Previous productions that have filmed at the Artists’ Village include BBC Restoration Village (2006), Great British Railway Journeys (2016), the music video for ‘Watts Chapel’ by Stephen Goss (2016), Norwegian film The Pursuit of Odd Nerdrum (2017) and BBC Flog It! (airing 2017).
‘Guests were wowed the moment they walked in: the galleries looked so beautiful, with the long tables laid up with flowers and glassware which seemed to reflect the colours of the walls and the pictures.’
‘Thank you so much for helping our afternoon go smoothly. The scones were amazing! The Old Kiln just the right size and
calming wall colour. I will recommend you to my friends.’
‘Fantastic organisation leading up to the event, brilliant catering, a very memorable venue.’
guest comments
‘We used one of the recommended caterers, who gave us a delicious dinner, and so many of our guests have said how
wonderful it was to experience an evening in such a different and beautiful venue.’
Our Spaces
Watts Gallery Watts Gallery LawnLimnerslease
Clore Studio Seminar Room The Old Kiln
Approved SuppliersCATERING
Caper & Berry01483 [email protected]
Kalm Kitchen01483 [email protected]
Pesto01428 [email protected]
Rhubarb01483 [email protected]
WINE
Greyfriars Vineyard01483 [email protected]
LIGHTING & AV
MGN Events01932 [email protected]
Project Five01276 [email protected]
MARQUEE HIRE
Perfect Pitch Marquees Ltd07590 046553enquiries@pitchperfectmarquees.co.ukperfectpitchmarquees.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY
FLORISTS
Cherfold Cottage Flowers07944 [email protected]
Chris Sharples07713 [email protected]
MUSICIANS
Junction 4 Big Band07795 [email protected]
Luisa Maria Cordell, Harpist07821 [email protected]
Score Live Music01344 772511/07976 [email protected]
Conveniently located in the village of Compton, the Artists’ Village is just ten minutes from Guildford station and forty minutes from London Waterloo.
Address:Watts Gallery - Artists’ VillageDown LaneCompton, Surrey GU3 1DQ
By train:The nearest station is Guildford. Trains between London Waterloo and Guildford leave approximately four times per hour, daily. There is a taxi rank outside Guildford station. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.
By car:Take the B3000 from the A3 signed to Godalming/Compton (brown tourist signs to Watts Gallery). At the roundabout at the end of the slip road take the first left onto the B3000. Take the first left onto Down Lane. The Artists’ Village is a few hundred metres down the road.
GETTING HERE
Contact us
Get in touch to start planning your event.
[email protected] 813590
Watts Gallery - Artists’ VillageDown Lane
Compton, Surrey GU3 1DQ
wattsgallery.org.uk
Watts Gallery Trust is a registered charity. All income from venue hire supports our learning and outreach programmes and the care and conservation of our collection and historic estate. Registered Charity Number: 313612
