Skip to content
Skip to content

Curator Talk: Threads of Influence: The Lives and Work of Jane & May Morris

Join Helen, Senior Collections and House Manager at Wightwick Manor and Gardens, for a relaxed talk followed by a walking tour of the collection, featuring the work of Jane and May Morris.

  • Booking essential

Join Helen, Senior Collections and House Manager at Wightwick Manor and Gardens, for an enlightening talk on the lives and legacies of Jane and May Morris, two pivotal figures in the Arts and Crafts movement. Jane Morris, renowned for her work as an embroiderer and muse to artists like Dante Gabriel Rossetti, played a significant role in the aesthetic direction of the period. Her daughter, May Morris, not only directed the embroidery department at Morris & Co. but also founded the Women's Guild of Arts in 1907, championing the role of women in the arts. ​

Wightwick Manor, though never visited by William Morris himself, stands as a testament to the Morris family's influence. The manor's interiors are adorned with Morris & Co. wallpapers, fabrics, and furnishings, reflecting the family's commitment to the Arts and Crafts ethos. In 1937, May Morris and her companion Miss Lobb visited Wightwick, meeting with Geoffrey and Rosalie Mander, further cementing the manor's connection to the Morris legacy. ​

This talk offers a unique opportunity to delve into the intertwined stories of Jane and May Morris and explore their enduring impact on art and design, all within the authentic Morris-inspired setting of Wightwick Manor.

Following the talk, enjoy a tour of the Manor, exploring key artworks and objects from the collection that highlight the Morris family’s impact.

£20 per person, booking essential, admission costs included, tea and coffee provided on arrival.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
All £20.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Suitability

16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult)

Meeting point

Please park up on the main car park and make your way up the path to the Manor and follow signs to the Meeting Room located via a flight of stairs above the Old Manor Shop.

What to bring and wear

The Manor heating is dependent on the humidity of the day, therefore we recommend an extra layer, even during the summer months. Please no stiletto heels or large bags.

Accessibility

The meeting room is located on the upper floor of the Old Manor, up a flight of stairs. The walking tour covers both floors of the Manor, there are places to sit throughout. There is no lift access.

Other

Please allow about 10 minutes to get from the car park to the Meeting Room. £20 per person, includes tea/coffee on arrival.

Upcoming events

Event

Easter egg hunt at Wightwick Manor and Gardens 

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Wightwick Manor and Gardens on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
20 Apr to 21 Apr 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Make more of your Photography Workshop at Wightwick Manor and Gardens with Lindsey Bucknor OBE 

Join us in the wonderful surroundings here at Wightwick to build on what you already know and see what you can do with your photography.

Event summary

on
29 Apr to 3 Jun 2025
at
10:30 to 12:30
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Pressed Flower Art Workshops with The Lilac Tree 

Join The Lilac Tree for a creative and relaxing Pressed Flower Art Workshop at the picturesque Wightwick Manor and Gardens.

Event summary

on
2 May to 21 Nov 2025
at
10:30 to 12:30
+ 11 other dates or times
Event

Embroidery Workshop with textile artist Lily Purslow - Rock Pools - Intermediate Level 

Join textile artist Lily Purslow at Wightwick Manor for a unique embroidery workshop, crafting a stunning 3D rock pool design inspired by the British coastline. Perfect for those at an intermediate level with some prior experience.

Event summary

on
4 May to 27 Jul 2025
at
10:30 to 15:30
+ 2 other dates or times