National Trust - Sandham Memorial Chapel — Attraction in Basingstoke and Deane

This is a lovely little hidden gem. A small property, doesn't open until 11 am but the gardens and the preview rooms before entering the Chapel are a must. We visited in June 2022 and the little garden around the back was brilliant with flowers of all sorts., In front of the building the lawn is let to grow meadow like and is full of wild spotted orchids. All the information in the building prior to seeing the chapel helps to acquaint yourself with who and what Stanley Spencer was. The National Trust recommend taking binoculars so when you are in the chapel you can use the binoculars to more easily study the art at ceiling level. There is a lovely sense of peace or calm within the chapel no matter how many are visiting. Staff are kind...

The Chapel paintings depicting both Stanley Spencer's work as a medical orderly at Beaufort Hospital and the bloody campaign in Salonika are quite captivating. You can spend a good 30 minutes looking at all the detail depicted in each scene and the volunteers give you a handy information sheet to provide you with more information on each scene. Most definately worth a visit, particularly if you can combine with another NT attraction nearby, e.g the Winchester Mill. Alas, no photos allowed inside the Chapel. In the adjoining building you can view a very good video on the Salonika Campaign. It is worth seeing this before visiting the Chapel to give you a better...

If you're a member, then entry is free, and it's worth a quick visit to the Chapel. There is a small museum that gives you detailed background information about Spencer and a couple of interesting videos to watch. The exhibition of paintings in the Chapel is the main reason for coming and is quite impressive. Only natural light is used, and no photography is permitted. The series of large paintings portraying scenes of the artist's impressions of the First World War are intentionally disturbing. The choice of subject matter for each can be slightly surprising, but it's the choice of perspective, composition, and colours that leave you...