Why your family should visit the incredible Sandham Memorial Chapel this summer!

A off-the-beaten track experience for art loving families with autistic children (National Trust owned).

THE SANDHAM MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Berkshire, England

We visited the Sandham Memorial Chapel with our two autistic children and my mum during the English half term school break at the end of May. It was only a 10minute drive from East Ilsey - where we were staying for a long weekend. (You can read my blog on Autism friendly activities for Families in Berkshire here.)

On paper place this might seem a strange choice for an autistic family, but the Sandham Chapel has a fascinating history and a real 'wow' moment that even managed to impress my two young boys.

Commissioned by Mary and John Louis Behrend in memory of Mary’s brother who died after serving in Macedonia in World War One, the inside of this unassuming chapel is completely covered in an epic series of floor to ceiling murals which took the artist, famous war painter Stanley Spencer, 6 years to complete.

Spencer himself served as a medical orderly in WW1 and he drew heavily on his experience  of war in the murals,  including many personal and unusual details from his life at Beaufort hospital in Bristol and as a soldier on the Salonika front in Macedonia.

Attached to the chapel is the main alms house. There were 2 or 3 small exhibit rooms, with usual history things like objects from the war period, a short film and clothing from the time which children were welcome to try - Fred loved this bit.

When you are finished exploring the alms house a guide will take you as part of a small group into the chapel (which is kept locked) and will stay with you during the visit.

Inspired by Giotto's incredible Arena Chapel in Padua (Italy) the interior of Sandham Chapel is so unexpected it will take your breath away. The boys absolutely loved it, even Charlie! You can take all the time you need to sit and just soak in the artwork surrounding you, while the guide will answer any questions you have. Our man was very good at interacting with Fred, and set him little pictorial challenges to find certain things in the paintings which kept him occupied and allowed us to enjoy the space.

WERE STAFF FRIENDLY and WELCOMING TO OUR AUTISTIC CHILDREN?

The staff were very welcoming. To visit the chapel you need to walk around to the back of the building. Charlie was very reluctant to enter and decided to run off into the garden. The two staff were very understanding and said that the chapel and its grounds was for everyone and he was welcome to explore it in his own way and in his own time.

WAS THE VENUE ACCESSIBLE? DID IT CONSIDER AUTISTIC CHILDREN SPECIFICALLY?

The venue was easy to navigate, although the gardens did have patches of uneven ground. A step free route and fully accessible toilet is provided. There is also accessible parking at the rear, otherwise parking is provided for limited numbers across the road, around 200m from the chapel.

Like most National Trust properties they focus on physical disabilities and do not currently make explicit provision for visitors (adults or children) with hidden disabilities such as autism or adhd.

The opportunity for children to try on some costumes and handle some objects was a nice touch.

WHAT WERE THE FACILITIES LIKE?

There is no cafe, however there is a toilet provided on site. There are gardens to the front and rear and the spring wildflower meadow looked particularly pretty when we visited. From the font you have views across to Watership Down.

Children are allowed to enjoy themselves in the grounds, and our boys enjoyed running through the apple orchard which still contains some of the original old varieties.

There is a small bookshop on site.

DID WE HAVE TO QUEUE? WAS IT BUSY?

We visited at opening time on a Saturday in May half term, and it was not busy. It is a small site however, only a few rooms and the chapel - so would quickly become busy if multiple families or a tour group turned up. They are careful to manage numbers in the chapel so everyone can experience the wonder of the space.

DO THEY OFFER DISABLE CONCESSION ENTRY PRICE

No, there is no disabled concession available on the the door.

Entry is free for National Trust Passholders.

Non-passholders pay an entry price - visit their website for up to date information on admission cost: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/sandham-memorial-chapel#place-prices