The 19th century Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris called this gem of a Cotswold manor – in the peaceful Oxfordshire village of Kelmscott – his ‘heaven on Earth’.
William Morris was not just an artist: he was a visionary who recognised that the Victorian move towards industrialisation was a threat to the traditions of craftsmanship and skill that had helped create England.
The 17th century Cotswold manor that he took on a lease - as an escape from his main London home - exemplified all he believed in: unspoilt architecture in perfect harmony with the glorious countryside round about.
Morris's relationship with Kelmscott lasted a quarter of a century. He, his wife Jane, and their children dearly loved this peaceful country retreat, with its riverside setting. In fact, it wove itself into every aspect of his life: even the flora and fauna in the pretty gardens inspired some of his famous fabric and wallpaper designs.
Today, visitors can see a fascinating collection of objects Morris owned and designed, and still drink in the atmosphere he would have enjoyed.
It's also a chance to learn about the family's sometimes complicated lives, and their close relationship with the poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti.