Discover Nature at Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere
Why do people visit Sandham Memorial Chapel? Perhaps you’ve spotted the sign from the A34 and decided it was the perfect place to take a break. Maybe you’re an admirer of Sir Stanley Spencer’s extraordinary paintings, entertaining visitors, or simply adding another National Trust property stamp to your passport.
What you may not have considered is that Sandham is also a wonderful place to connect with nature.
That is exactly what the National Trust hopes to inspire through its People and Nature strategy: restoring nature, making it accessible to everyone, and encouraging more people to care for the natural world. Sandham may be best known for its remarkable chapel and Spencer’s paintings, but the surrounding landscape offers its own quiet rewards.
Nature all Around
From the moment you arrive, nature is all around you. Looking beyond the chapel, your eye is drawn to Watership Down, a landscape so loved by Stanley Spencer that it appears in his painting The Resurrection. Passing through the lychgate and along the brick path that Spencer himself would have walked, you enter peaceful wildflower meadows, mature trees and a historic orchard.
Much of what you see today dates to the chapel’s creation in the 1920’s. The orchard, wildflower meadow, avenue of lime trees and native hedgerows were all part of the original design. The hedges, planted with hawthorn, dog rose, holly and berberis, were sourced from the nearby Carnarvon Estate, now better known as Highclere Castle.
The orchard is home to a remarkable collection of traditional apple varieties, including Bramley’s Seedling, Prince Albert and Newton Wonder—living reminders of our horticultural heritage.
Near the entrance stands a magnificent oak tree, planted in 1960 by the West Berkshire Branch of the Salonika Reunion Association in memory of Stanley Spencer. Benches beneath its branches provide a peaceful place to sit, reflect and enjoy birdsong.
Wildflower Meadow
This year marks an exciting milestone for the gardens as our wildflower meadow will be managed using traditional scything. One of our garden volunteers has trained with the team at The Vyne to learn this historic skill. The meadow will be cut only after the wildflowers have set seed, with the cut grass left briefly to allow seeds to fall and wildlife time to move safely before it is removed. This traditional approach helps maintain a rich habitat for insects, birds and small mammals while encouraging an even more diverse display of flowers in years to come.
Whether you come for the art, the history or simply a quiet walk, Sandham offers the chance to slow down and enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature.
If you would like to discover even more, why not join one of our guided three-mile walks, Walking in Stanley’s Footsteps? The walks explore the landscape that inspired Spencer and the history of Sandham and the surrounding countryside.
Booking is essential on 01635 278394. sandhamevents@nationaltrust.org.uk
Upcoming walks:
- Friday 19th September at 12.30pm
We look forward to welcoming you.
Opening Times
Thursday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 11am to 3pm.
Admission adult £12, child (5-17) £6.60 Family (2 adults up to 3 children) £30.
Entry free (including the Ed Saye exhibition) with National Trust Membership
Email: sandham@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01635 278394
Related articles: Previous article from National Trust (Sandham Memorial Chapel – Group Visits)