Special Interest Tour of Longford Castle and Art Collection and Cathedral Close, Salisbury

Tuesday 18th March 2025

Longford Castle, situated near Salisbury, is an Elizabethan Castle which houses an exceptional art collection, include paintings by Van Dyck, Claude, Teniers, Hals, Reynolds as well as Gainsborough, as well as Oriental porcelain, Brussel tapestries plus 18th century English and continental furniture.  Holbein’s “Ambassadors” which now hangs at the National Gallery was until 1890 part of the Castle’s Collecion.  Indeed, the Castle maintains an association with the National Gallery who support them to preserve major works of art.

Above images courtesy of Longford Castle Collection

A well-kept secret, Longford Castle opened it doors to our private tour on Tuesday 18 March.  We entered a treasure house filled with a collection of art and furniture that the Earls of Radnor have collected during the family’s continuous occupation of over 300 years.  Our guides and conservators shared their knowledge of artworks by Gainsborough, Peter Paul Rubens, van Dyck, Reynolds, Brueghel the Elder and very many more.  A priceless and exquisite steel armchair dated 1574 held pride of place in the Picture Gallery.  Intricately ornate, the chair is also a work of sculpture comprising 130 separate reliefs representing the history of the world.

After the tour, we transferred to Salisbury to enjoy its majestic cathedral and other delights of the city, historic and culinary!  Another fantastic day, with thanks to Andrew for his organisation and Win for identifying the opportunity.