VISIT TO ROCHE COURT SCULPTURE PARK

Wednesday 13 May 2026.   Another memorable Probus members’ outing!

This time we were treated to a rare glimpse into the world of contemporary modern art courtesy of the lovely folk at the NewArtCentre, Roche Court Sculpture Park near Salisbury.  Specialising in 20th and 21st-century art, the New Art Centre is a commercial gallery. 

Set within the rolling Wiltshire countryside, sculpture is sited in beautiful gardens, together with a further wide range of art works exhibited in award-winning contemporary indoor spaces.

On arrival our group was greeted by the resident founder, nonagenarian Lady Madeleine Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough who was gracious in her welcome and asked us each to introduce ourselves!   

In 1958, Lady Madeleine established the New Art Centre in Sloane Street, London which, in 1994, was relocated to Roche Court, East Winterslow, Wiltshire, and renamed New Art Centre Sculpture Park and Gallery.   She is a trustee of the Roche Court Educational Trust – a charity that promotes appreciation of sculpture and other arts among young people through visits to the park and by outreach.  She served on the Council of the Royal College of Art from 1962 until 1973. She is also a lay canon of Salisbury Cathedral. She was awarded a CBE in 2023.

The house at Roche Court was purportedly originally built in 1804 for the family of Admiral Nelson. The park and woodlands which surround the house enable a focus on exhibiting outdoor sculpture.

Right from the start in 1958, the gallery’s core ambition has been to champion the works of young and emerging artists.

Scottish architect, Stephen Marshall was commissioned to add four indoor exhibition spaces at Roche Court Sculpture Park; The Gallery & Orangery; The Artist’s House; The Design House; and The Stable Gallery. Each have won several architectural awards. This expansion has enabled the staging of a closely curated exhibition programme of modern and contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and textiles.

The first indoor gallery opened in 1998. The building comprises an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows that connect the main house to the nineteenth-century Orangery. The building was conceived on the basis that any exhibition on view could be enjoyed from the outside. This adopts a material language seen throughout the contemporary spaces – including frameless glass, oak, Chilmark stone and smooth natural render. The new Gallery spaces are designed to encourage visitors to see how painting, sculpture, ceramics and furniture can coexist and provide joy in the home.

Roche Court is such a delightful place to visit.  Despite intermittent heavy showers we were treated to view most of the outdoor artworks under sunshine and blue skies.

Our two delightful guides for the day took us into shelter initially where we were offered coffee and cake and an introduction to the features of the establishment.  Artwork prices were discussed and it very quickly became evident that shopping would likely be reserved for the very wealthy!

As someone who would not normally wholly “appreciate” contemporary art I can nevertheless wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Roche Court where there are so many pieces to really admire and something of interest for everyone.  And the surroundings are magnificent.

That said, some of the more “ambiguous” pieces would most likely not inspire or suit the taste of all.  When our group was invited to comment on the “energy” of one piece (with a staggering high five-figure price tag), to my shame it was I who suggested setting fire to it to release said energy.  C’est la vie.  Honesty readily accepted with grace and mirth!

After saying goodbye to our hosts, we ventured back towards Salisbury and stopped at the Salt Deli for a delicious lunch of fresh food from their menu.  Thoroughly recommended too.

My thanks, as always, to organisers Phil & Karen Riley – ably assisted by James Prain who is taking over the role of Outings Organiser.   Please support him going forward. These events are most enjoyable and a great opportunity to extend friendships with members and their partners. 

Godfrey Ball

Probus Liaison Officer