Sandham Memorial Chapel

This modest red-brick building tucked away in a quiet corner of Hampshire houses an unexpected treasure – an epic series of large-scale murals, by the acclaimed war artist Sir Stanley Spencer.

Built to honour the 'forgotten dead' of the First World War, who were not remembered on any official memorials, the series was inspired by Spencer’s own experiences as a medical orderly and soldier on the Salonika front, and is peppered with personal and unexpected details. The paintings took six years to complete in all, and are considered by many to be the artist’s finest achievement, drawing such praise as 'Britain’s answer to the Sistine Chapel'.

The chapel holds services throughout the year, the most important of these being the annual Remembrance Day event.

There is a new exhibition space about the Chapel, its creation, the paintings and the people who brought it into being in one of the Chapel's adjoining almshouses.

Outside the front of the chapel there's a traditional orchard and wildflower meadow with views across to Watership Down and a new garden of reflection at the rear of the Chapel. Either make a great setting for a leisurely picnic. Alternatively, the more energetic amongst you might like to follow in Spencer’s footsteps around the village of Burghclere, and take in some of the sights and places where he lived, loved, and was inspired by whilst completing his masterpiece.

Entry is by pre-booked ticket only; click here to book tickets. The chapel can only accommodate 25 people at a time. It is essential that groups pre-book their visit