Henry Moore - Hoglands

Tuesday 21 August 

Wow, what a day we have had today at Hogwarts Hoglands, Henry Moore’s house, gardens and studios at Perry Green, nr Much Hadham. Steven took us on a very strange route through the countryside and although the house is 35 minutes from our campsite we hardly saw any cars at all. A nice contrast to yesterday’s madness and mayhem.

So keen are we, that we arrived at the house at 10.15 the house wasn’t due to open till 11.00. So we had a cup of tea and patiently waited. The house is across the road from the car park, ticket office, small shop and refreshments. While we waited we couldn’t resist going into the shop to kill a bit of time and eye up all the Henry Moore products available. We paid for our ticket two for the price of one (God bless the National Trust) and we strolled over to the house with our electronic guides around our necks.

As soon as we got there we were met by a lady who told us all about the history of the house which apparently goes back to the 18th century (Elizabethan). It was added to in the 19th and made into two separate cottages. Moore came upon the house following his own house in London being damaged during an air raid during the second world war whilst he was visiting a friend. He rented half of the house and basically never moved out. Over the years he purchased the other part of the house and farm land to the rear making a huge garden. The garden was in effect his sales room and his works were strategically placed to great effect. More was a shrewd business man and was his own agent preferring to keep all the money rather than give a percentage to an agent. Therefore all of the transactions were carried out in the small house office. Considering the Moore’s considerable fortune, he was very careful with his money they had a mend and make do approach to life and had no interest in personal possessions other than art. 

Following Henry Moore’s death in 1986 and that of his wife Irina 3 years later, the house stood empty for 15 years until it was signed over by Moore’s daughter to the Henry Moore Foundation. The house was sympathetically renovated and all the belongings (on loan from the daughter) have been put back in to the house as they were before they died. Its a deeply personal collection of their furniture, art and collection of all manner of objects collected and given to them over the years. As the house is so small, only eight people are allowed into the house at a time and they limit the amount of tours they allow each day. We feel lucky were able to take a look. Before entry to the house we had to put all our things (bags etc) into a locker no cameras allowed and we had to put shoe covers on our feet. It was all worth it and we loved the tour we were given by the member of staff who was incredibly knowledgable and informative.

Following the tour of the house lasting three quarters of an hour, we ventured into the gardens and started looking at all the sculptures. We were really lucky as it was a lovely day and we took our time enjoying all the exhibits and the countryside. Even stopping to look at the sheep, a favorite of Henry’s.

For lunch we had a real treat and went to ‘Hoops’ restaurant/pup (owned by the Foundation). We had a fantastic meal. The restaurant serves top quality food and we really can’t recommend it enough. If you go to Hoglands include in your budget a treat and have lunch at Hoops. 

Filled to the brim we staggered back into the gardens to start the tours of all the studios. They do not open till 2pm so expect to stay all day. The Studio’s were a fascinating insight into the way Moore worked and made sculptures. One of the studios is an old barn converted into a gallery that was rescued by Moore and resurrected in the gardens now housing a collection of 6 tapestrys commissioned by Moore and made for him by West Dean Collage and were absolutely stunning.

Finished, we made our way back to the ticket office and couldn’t resist buying a Henry Moore cushion for Campy. It looks resplendent and is a lovely reminder of a perfect day spent at Hogwarts Hoglands....