Watts Gallery Artists' Village
Compton, Guildford
Photo: Artistsvillage, CC BY-SA 4.0Photo: Artistsvillage, CC BY-SA 4.0
The village built around the Victorian painter G F Watts and the designer Mary Watts in Compton, with the purpose-built gallery of his work, their home and studios at Limnerslease, and Mary's extraordinary Arts and Crafts cemetery chapel. There are 18 acres of grounds, gardens and woodland to explore between them.
Highlights
- Historic galleries, De Morgan collection and sculpture gallery
- Limnerslease, the Watts home and G F Watts's studio
- Watts Cemetery Chapel, free to visit
- Verey Playwood with stepping stones and swings
- October half-term family activities from 20 October to 1 November
Good to know
- Pet dogs are welcome outdoors and in the shop but not in the galleries; the café sells ice cream for dogs
- Booking online saves 10% and is recommended
- The chapel is a five to ten minute walk up a steep cobbled path
Getting there
Watts Gallery Artists' Village, Down Lane, Compton, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1DQParking: Car parks at Watts Gallery and Limnerslease, £3 all day for all vehicles, with Blue Badge spaces; gates lock at 5.30pm. The 46 bus runs hourly from Guildford, Monday to Saturday.
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against wattsgallery.org.uk, wattsgallery.org.uk, wattsgallery.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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What's on at Watts Gallery Artists' Village
October half-term at Watts Gallery: monsters, magic and mischief
Watts Gallery fills its gallery, house and woodland with Halloween activities for half-term. Children follow a woodland witches trail, mix potions and add their own creature to a monster menagerie.
Image: Watts Gallery Artists' VillageOnline Talks: The Art of Wallpaper
An online talk about the Art of Wallpaper exhibition, hosted by Watts Gallery Artists' Village in Compton, on 20 October 2026. Booking is required through the event page, and the talk suits anyone interested in art and design who wants to take part from home.
Image: Watts Gallery Artists' VillageHalloween craft club
A two-day Halloween craft club for children at Watts Gallery Artists' Village in Compton, running on 28 and 29 October 2026. Booking is needed through the event page, which gives the session times. It suits families looking for a half-term activity close to Guildford.
Image: Watts Gallery Artists' VillagePay if and what you can days
Watts Gallery Artists' Village in Compton offers pay if and what you can days on selected dates between November 2026 and April 2027. Visitors can pay what they wish on those days, and the event page sets out the dates and times. It suits families, couples and friends wanting a low-cost visit to the gallery.
Image: Watts Gallery Artists' VillageThe Art of Wallpaper: Curator's tour
Curator-led tours of The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co. exhibition at Watts Gallery Artists' Village in Compton, near Guildford. Tours run from 5 November 2026 to 7 January 2027 and are booked in advance through the gallery's event page. Suitable for adults and anyone interested in design history and Arts and Crafts wallpapers.
Image: Watts Gallery Artists' VillageWatts Tots
Watts Tots is a series of sessions for very young children and their grown ups at Watts Gallery Artists' Village in Compton, running from 6 November to 4 December 2026. Times are listed on the event page, and booking is required there. It suits families with toddlers.
More things to do in Godalming
Nearby
Photo: Alan Hunt, CC BY-SA 2.0Greyfriars Vineyard
A family-run vineyard on the south-facing chalk slopes of the Hog's Back, first planted in 1989 and now about 40 acres, making traditional-method sparkling wines and still wines. Visitors can walk the vines on a self-guided trail or book a tutored tour and tasting.
Photo of Guildford: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Surrey Summit climbing centre at Surrey Sports Park
A climbing centre at the University of Surrey's sports park, with more than 80 boulder problems, over 65 roped routes and walls up to 12 metres high. Four auto belays let beginners and families climb without knowing how to belay.
Photo of Guildford: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0Guildford Cathedral
The Anglican cathedral on Stag Hill looks out over Guildford and is open to visitors every day, between daily services that include Choral Evensong. Guided tours, tower tours and a café are offered.