Eating and shopping at Sandham Memorial Chapel

A gravel path and wooden bench, with a tree behind, facing a lawn with small trees, in the reflection garden in May at Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire — The reflection garden in May at Sandham Memorial Chapel | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Discover idyllic places to picnic among the trees in the orchard or find out where to buy refreshments nearby. In the shop, explore the range of carefully selected products that mirror the themes and spirit of the chapel and its creator, Stanley Spencer.

Eating at Sandham

While there isn’t a café at Sandham Memorial Chapel, there are still plenty of opportunities for refreshment when you visit.

Bring a picnic to enjoy in the historic orchard or Garden of Reflection, both ideal places to pause and contemplate the paintings in the chapel. On a sunny day, choose the shade of the oak tree, with an idyllic view of the chapel and historic orchard. Many of the apple trees are over 90 years old and, during the spring and early summer months, they are surrounded by a beautiful wildflower meadow.

A wooden table and chairs on a gravel path in the rear gardens in summer at Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire — The rear gardens at Sandham Memorial Chapel | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

The local pub, The Carpenters Arms (not National Trust), is just over the road from the chapel, serving a wide selection of real ales, teas, coffees and lunches.

As part of your day out, why not take a trip to The Vyne, approximately 15 miles (or 35 minutes) away? Their Brewhouse tea-room serves a wide range of food and drinks, from delicious cakes and scones to soup and hot meals.

Shopping at Sandham

The small shop stocks a range of books, postcards, gifts and plants which reflect the themes of the chapel, its paintings and gardens.

Books

In addition to the guidebook, and the detailed exhibition catalogue which accompanied the paintings on their recent tour, we have a comprehensive selection of books about Stanley Spencer, his life and work, and the themes that influenced him, as well as books about other First World War artists and collections of poetry and letters from the period.

These are complemented by pre-loved, out-of-print titles which we have sourced especially for those who wish to learn more about Stanley and his life.

Cactus in a pot in the greenhouse in the garden at Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire — Cactus in the greenhouse in the garden at Sandham Memorial Chapel | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Plants and garden gifts

All plants for sale are grown locally by volunteers, either from seed or as cuttings from plants in the chapel garden. We share them with visitors for a donation towards our work caring for the chapel and paintings.

Every sale and donation supports the important conservation work we do here, and helps us to care for the chapel and its paintings. Thank you.