Beyond the View: Canaletto at Tatton Park

Discover one family’s love affair with Italy and art at Tatton Park. Beyond the View will take you on a journey of Samuel Egerton (owner of Tatton 1738–1780) from Cheshire to Venice, and his connection to celebrated artist Canaletto.

Explore rare paintings, letters, and artefacts alongside cutting-edge digital installations that bring overlooked stories to life. Discover the English love affair with Venice, and see Tatton Park’s two Canaletto masterpieces in a whole new light.

28 March–1 November. Free exhibition, but normal admission to Tatton Park applies. Booking recommended.

What to expect from Beyond the View: Canaletto?

A journey of discovery

In this multifaceted exhibition you can explore rare paintings, letters, and artefacts (many on display for the first time) alongside cutting-edge digital installations that bring overlooked stories to life. Discover the English love affair with Venice, and see Tatton Park’s two Canaletto masterpieces in a whole new light.

The Italian Job: Samuel Egerton and Canaletto

At just 18, Samuel Egerton, the master of Tatton from 1738, left rural Cheshire for Venice, the most vibrant and culturally dynamic city of its time. Explore Samuel’s life in Venice, his connections with leading artists, his striking portrait by Bartolomeo Nazari, rare archival correspondence and Tatton’s two remarkable Canalettos.

See Me Appear

Augmented reality and digital displays in the Library, Dining Room, and Staircase Hall bring overlooked female history to life. Commissioned by Abandon Normal Devices and created by Peut Porter, the displays reimagine the lives of Samuel Egerton’s mother, sister, and daughter through Augmented Reality portraits, 3D installations, soundscapes, and audio-visual art.

Italian Connections

Explore highlights from Tatton’s Italian collection, reflecting generations of Egerton family influence by Venetian art. Admire furniture, glassware, paintings, prints, and ceramics, including Rosalba Carriera’s pastel portrait and rarely displayed works like Brustoloni’s Venetian prints and Ludovico Ughi’s seminal 1729 map of Venice.

The Flow of the Little Canal

See the impact of Samuel Egerton’s apprenticeship in Venice and Tatton's Canaletto paintings, as having seeped into the very walls of Tatton itself.  Paintings framed on the walls come alive, emerging beyond their frames to spill out across walls and furniture, interacting and impacting as the paint strokes of the great master ebb and flow like a Venice Canal.

Events and workshops

Keep an eye out for special adult and family workshops throughout the year to celebrate Tatton Park's connnections to Canaletto and art. From creative writing to watercolour and contemporary collage workshops...all inspired by the Italian masterpieces that we care for. 

When is the exhibition on?

Beyond the View: Canaletto starts on 28 March and finishes on 1 November 2026 (on selected days).

How do I visit?

Beyond the View: Canaletto is a free exhibition, but normal admission applies. Booking recommended to guarantee your entry.

Tatton Park is managed and financed by Cheshire East Council on behalf of the National Trust. National Trust members can enjoy free entry to the mansion and gardens, but admission charges apply for the parkland, farm and special seasonal events.