William Morris Gallery
Free gallery in the Georgian Water House in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, devoted to the life, design and political ideas of William Morris.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The gallery is housed in Water House, a Georgian building from 1762 that was the Morris family home from 1848 to 1856, when William Morris was a teenager. The house was later sold to the newspaper owner Edward Lloyd, and in 1900 his son gave the house and grounds to Walthamstow, where the grounds became Lloyd Park.
The building opened as a museum in 1950, with Prime Minister Clement Attlee performing the opening. The collection grew around gifts from the artist Frank Brangwyn, and it now holds one of the most comprehensive collections of objects connected with Morris's life and work, including textiles, carpets, furniture, stained glass and books.
In 2011 the gallery closed for a major refurbishment supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the local council. It reopened in 2012 with new displays and won the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize in 2013. The permanent galleries are arranged by theme, from Morris's early influences and the firm Morris & Co. to his writing and his political activism. The gallery is owned and run by Waltham Forest Council and is free to enter.
Highlights
- Themed permanent galleries on Morris as designer, craftsman, poet and activist
- Recreation of the Morris & Co. Oxford Street shop of 1877
- Workshop display on printed cottons, carpets, tapestries and stained glass
- Works by Frank Brangwyn, who helped found the gallery
- Deeney's Café with views over Lloyd Park
Permanent exhibitions
- Permanent galleries on William Morris – Themed galleries on Morris as designer, writer and activist, including a recreation of the Morris & Co. shop of 1877 and a workshop display of printed cottons, carpets, tapestries and stained glass.
- Frank Brangwyn – A regularly rotated selection of works by the artist who helped found the gallery.
- Founded
- 1950
- Operated by
- Waltham Forest Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Private guided tour of the gallery (groups of 10 to 20, per person) | £20About 45 minutes; must be booked in advance. |
|---|---|
| Tour with object handling (groups of 10 to 20, per person) | £40About 1 hour 15 minutes. |
| Behind the scenes tour (groups of 5 to 15, per person) | £75About 1 hour 30 minutes, including a visit to the collection and archive store. |
Entry is free. Self-guided groups are free but should book ahead, ideally four weeks in advance.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Ramp entrance, with step-free access to the shop, café and exhibition spaces and a lift to the first and second floors. Wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby changing are available. Two manual wheelchairs can be reserved by phone; the Acanthus room has a 63 cm doorway. An induction loop is available (ask at reception), large print labels are available at reception, and a BSL introduction to the gallery is on video. Three Blue Badge bays on Forest Road are available Tuesday to Sunday, except Saturdays because of Lloyd Park Market; the gates are kept locked, so call on arrival. The gallery is a designated Dementia Friendly Venue.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
A free family trail is available at the front desk, and Morris Explorer satchels with a sensory map and visual story can be borrowed (six at a time). Mini Morris craft and play sessions for under-5s run monthly, and Family Days offer drop-in creative activities, mainly for ages 5 and over. Buggies can be wheeled round the exhibition spaces and there is a first-come, first-served buggy storage area. Lloyd Park is next door.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Walthamstow Central station · 15-min walk
Walthamstow Central (Victoria line and rail from London Liverpool Street) is about 12 to 15 minutes' walk; Blackhorse Road (Victoria line) is also nearby. Buses 34, 97, 215, 275 or 357 from Walthamstow Central to Bell Corner; bus 123 from Blackhorse Road to the Lloyd Park stop.
By car
Parking available
Very limited parking: three Blue Badge bays on Forest Road, and a small pay-and-display car park on Bedford Road, which is often busy. Coach bay on Forest Road between Hawthorne Road and the pedestrian crossing.
- Accessible parking
Bicycle parking is available at the gallery. Walking from Walthamstow Central takes about 12 to 15 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Deeney's Café on the ground floor with views over Lloyd Park, with high chairs and children's meals; the shop sells Morris-themed homeware, books and gifts. Lockers hold coats and belongings, but not large luggage. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition spaces.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 150 guests.
The gallery is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships. Hireable spaces are the Acanthus Room, the Landing and the Glasshouse café; exclusive use of the whole venue holds up to 150 standing.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A free digital guide is available through the Bloomberg Connects app. Private guided tours for groups can be booked in advance; introductory tours to the exhibitions are offered on selected dates. Schools book through the learning team. |
