St George the Martyr
Newbury, Berkshire
St George’s is one of only two churches in England designed by FC Eden, an authority on Italian art and architecture.
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 at the Beaufort Hospital in Bristol and both orderly and soldier on the Salonika front. It is peppered with personal and unexpected details and uniquely shows the everyday activities rather than the horrors of war. Inspired by Giotto's Arena Chapel in Padua and made possible through the generous patronage of Mr & Mrs Behrend, Spencer referred to Sandham Memorial Chapel as his Holy Box. The 19 oil paintings covering three walls of the chapel took six years to complete and are considered by many to be the artist’s finest achievement.
Outside the front of the chapel you have views across to Watership Down which glows in the late evening sun, the original orchard with old apple varieties and a beautiful wildflower meadow containing many important flora and fauna.