Overview
Arts & Crafts man William Morris was born in the Lee Valley village of Walthamstow just above the City and just below Epping Forest. An award winning gallery dedicated to his life and work is now housed in his splendid Georgian Manor house home. Arrive at 10.30am to buy morning refreshments. Our Blue Badge Guide will give you a good insight into the man before we follow the trail through the beautiful rooms that illustrate his many talents and interests from wallpaper and furniture to book publishing and politicking. There’s enough detail to satisfy Morris enthusiasts and enough variety and exceptional items (the Utrecht Velvet used on the Titanic springs to mind) to appeal to the more casual visitor. We head through a slip of Epping Forest, hearing about the long history of this ancient hunting ground, as we head to the genteel old market town of Epping for free time to buy lunch. Then it is on to Broxbourne in the Lee Valley Park for the 90-minute cruise with a cream tea served on board a comfortably appointed broad beam boat where you are seated around tables. Snippets of commentary from the guide and time to relax and watch life roll by at 4 miles an hour makes for a perfect afternoon.