The legacy of a family's passion for Victorian art and design
Calling all busy bees to enjoy Wightwick Manor this May half-term.
In 1937 Geoffrey Mander MP did something remarkable - he persuaded the National Trust to accept a house that was just 50 years old.
The local paint manufacturer and Liberal MP had been left the timber-framed house by his father Theodore. Taking inspiration from a lecture on 'the House Beautiful' by Oscar Wilde, Theodore and his wife Flora had decorated its interiors with the designs of William Morris and his Arts and Crafts contemporaries.
This house of the Aesthetic Movement was, by 1937, a relic of an out of fashion era. Yet, so complete was the design that it was worthy of preservation. Having given the house to the Trust, Geoffrey and his second wife Rosalie became its live-in curators, opening the house to the public and adding to its contents. In particular they added a remarkable collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings by Rossetti, Burne-Jones and their followers.
So take a step back in time and visit the ever-changing family home that’s also the world’s most beautiful art gallery.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £12.50 | £11.35 |
| Child | £6.25 | £5.60 |
| Family | £31.25 | £28.30 |
| 1 adult, 2 children | £18.75 | £16.95 |
|
Group Adult
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £10.50 |
|
Group Child
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £5.25 |
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £8.50 | £7.70 |
| Child | £4.25 | £3.85 |
| Family | £21.25 | £19.25 |
| 1 adult, 2 children | £12.75 | £11.55 |
|
Group Adult
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £6.50 |
|
Group Child
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £3.25 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
'Gallery and Garden' entry is required to access tea-room and shop for non-members.
House closed Tuesdays, January to March. Reduced number of rooms open in January, February and March. Entry to house before 12 by tour only, free-flow from 12. Last entry to house one hour before closing, last entry to Malthouse Gallery 30 minutes before closing.
