This summer, West Horsley Place looks forward to welcoming visitors to a series of tours, open days and special events taking place in the Grade I listed manor house and in the surrounding 18th century walled gardens. All events have been organised to comply with current Covid-19 regulations.
Available on dates throughout the summer, the Nooks and Crannies Tour takes visitors to every corner of the house, including areas not previously seen by the public. Guided by one of the charity’s expert volunteer guides, the Tour is an opportunity for visitors to learn about the history and heritage of West Horsley Place and to discover stories from its 600 year past. Tickets are £20 and pre-booking is essential.
In addition, the West Horsley Place Trust will hold two Open Days, on 22 August and 19 September. At these events, visitors will be able to walk through the main rooms of the house, with volunteer stewards in each room to provide information and answer questions. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the walled gardens where there will be a pop-up café to buy refreshments. Tickets are £10 (free for accompanying carers and also for U16s) and pre-booking is essential.
The Trust is delighted to be the location for two special touring productions. On 21 August, New Creations Collective presents The Secret Garden, a dance adaptation of the much-loved novel that will be performed in the Crinkle Crankle garden at West Horsley Place. This family-friendly performance features a new score and original choreography, and ticket holders are invited to bring a picnic. Tickets are £20 for adults, £10 for children and must be pre-booked.
Three Inch Fools will also be performing at West Horsley Place this summer on 27 August, presenting their new, inventive take on best-known folktale, Robin Hood. Featuring five actors with all manner of musical instruments, the performance will take place in Home Paddock, with the front elevation of the manor house providing a unique backdrop. Tickets are £16 and must be pre-booked. Ticket holders are invited to bring a picnic.
Clare Clinton, Arts, Heritage & Learning Manager at West Horsley Place, said:
“We are so pleased to be able to welcome visitors to West Horsley Place this summer, having been forced to delay our public programme as a result of Covid-19.”
“Our vision is that West Horsley Place should be a welcoming space for the community to share and enjoy, with arts, heritage, history and nature at its heart. Through activities and events, we hope to make West Horsley Place accessible to many people, and we will be updating our programme all the time.”
“We are delighted that, in addition to the public performances, New Creations Collective will deliver a free dance workshop for young people who attend the Nomad Theatre Youth Group, a community theatre in East Horsley.”
Clare added: “Importantly, funds raised through our public programme will make a vital contribution towards the on-going project to conserve and repair Grade I listed West Horsley Place and its surrounding estate, safeguarding this important part of our heritage for future generations. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported our charity to date, and we look forward to welcoming you here over the coming months.”
All events at West Horsley Place have been organised in line with the Government’s Covid-19 safety guidelines and will continue to be reviewed accordingly.
For further information and to book tickets:
https://www.westhorsleyplace.org/Pages/Events/Category/events
Photo: New Creations Collective will present A Secret Garden at West Horsley Place