Sandham Memorial Chapel

Sandham Memorial Chapel will reopen on Thursday, March 5th, 2026, at 11 am

Discover delightful spots for a picnic among the orchard trees or find out where to grab some tasty refreshments nearby.

In their shop, you’ll find a lovely selection of products that truly reflect the charm of the chapel and the vision of its creator, Stanley Spencer.

While there isn’t a café at Sandham Memorial Chapel, don’t worry!

There are plenty of options for a refreshing break during your visit.

They invite you to bring along a picnic and enjoy it in our beautiful historic orchard or the tranquil Garden of Reflection—both perfect spots to relax and soak in the incredible paintings displayed in the chapel.

On sunny days, why not sit in the shade of the oak tree with a picturesque view of both the chapel and orchard?

Many of their apple trees have stood for over 90 years and during spring and early summer, they flourish amidst a lovely wildflower meadow.

This charming red-brick building, nestled in a peaceful corner of Hampshire, is home to the extraordinary paintings of Stanley Spencer.

The orchard and meadow were planted back in the 1920s when the chapel was built, while the Garden of Reflection was established in 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Sandham Memorial Chapel is proud to showcase what many consider to be one of the most significant series of paintings by modern British artist, Stanley Spencer, who aimed to depict his wartime experiences during ‘The Great War’ through his art.

The 19 oil paintings that adorn three walls of the chapel took six years to complete and are widely regarded as Stanley Spencer’s crowning achievement.

With the chapel designed to honor the ‘forgotten dead’ of the First World War—those who weren’t remembered on official memorials—this series of artworks drew inspiration from Spencer’s own experiences as a medical orderly at Beaufort Hospital in Bristol and as both an orderly and a soldier on the Salonika front.

What’s striking about these paintings is that they mainly portray everyday life instead of the horrors of battle.

Spencer’s early work as a medical orderly gave him a sense that the ordinary and the mundane could bring him closer to the divine.

His service took him to Macedonia, where he continued his role as a medical orderly and later served as an infantryman.

They welcome dogs on a short lead in the gardens and orchard at Sandham Memorial Chapel!

However, please note that only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Chapel and exhibition area.

Sandham also has a one pawprint rating, as they’re happy to provide canine visitors with a water bowl and plenty of interesting scents to explore in the garden.