Red House Bexleyheath
With a National Art Pass you get
The only house to have been commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris.
The building was designed by Philip Webb, with Morris taking charge of the decorative schemes. Many members of the Arts & Crafts movement made contributions – the stained glass is the work of Edward Burne-Jones, while Morris's wife Jane and her sister stitched the embroideries that adorn the walls. After its completion in 1860, Burne-Jones described Red House as 'the beautifullest place on earth'.
The house's secrets continue to be revealed; conservation work in 2013 uncovered an unknown Pre-Raphaelite wall painting by Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Elizabeth Siddal, Burne-Jones and Ford Madox Brown. Designed for what had been Morris and Jane’s bedroom, it depicts Biblical figures: Adam and Eve with the serpent, Noah holding a miniature ark and Rachel and Jacob with a ladder. It was painted to resemble a hanging tapestry, and even has the illusion of folds.
Look out for The Wild Escape at museums and galleries in the next few months. Many have special events, or you can use our audio introduction to help children get involved at any cultural venue.
Visiting with children?
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The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.
