New Exhibitions Unveiled At The Treasure Houses Of England For 2014

From artistic masterpieces to fascinating historical exhibitions, The Treasure Houses of England look set to deliver a captivating programme of exciting events this year.

Bluebird CN7

Beaulieu 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the successful World Land Speed Record by Donald Campbell in Bluebird CN7. A new display in the National Motor Museum, For Britain & For The Hell Of It, features Beaulieu’s four iconic Land Speed Record cars and tells the story of British pluck, technological mastery and national pride – alongside new vehicles with a more alternative Land Speed heritage. Another brand new display is The Motorcycle Story which immerses you in a journey through the evolution of two-wheeled transport from bicycles to production motorcycles. Featuring some of the most iconic motorbikes on Britain’s road and racetracks through the years, it will also showcase biking in modern culture including Mod and Rockers and the Ace Cafe.

WWI Exhibition Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace’s World War One Exhibition (February 15 - April 21) will unveil the intriguing story of how the men and women who lived and worked at Blenheim Palace survived the war, including life-size models, replica trench, original props and costumed characters.  For something decidedly different, Tom Hiscocks’ The Queen’s Beasts Exhibition (1 May - 30 June) comprises heraldic animals depicting the genealogy of Queen Elizabeth II first characterised in 1953 and recreated for the Diamond Jubilee Tour in 2012 – will be proudly on show at Blenheim Palace.

Meanwhile, the second Blenheim Palace Flower Show (June 20-22) will present a spellbinding scene with over 150 floral and gardens exhibitors, a grand floral marquee with RHS judges, ten garden landscapes and lots more - including food, refreshments and a bevy of fun family activities.

Burghley Film Festival

Culture vultures should head to Burghley Film Festival 2014, which returns once more to the South Gardens with an extended 5 days of fabulous films along with a best of British BBQ. Running from Wednesday, 30th July to Sunday 3rd August, the full programme will include some family favourites, action dramas and retro classics.  At Burghley Food markets - meet more than 30 local suppliers in a celebration of local produce with handmade cheeses, artisan breads, organic vegetables, luxury sweet treats and rare breed meats. Held in the Courtyard at Burghley, both entry and parking are free of charge. Food markets take place: Spring: 12th & 13th April Summer: 24th & 25th August Christmas: 29th & 30th November.

Michael Craig-Martin sculptures

Chatsworth presents a packed programme of exhibitions for 2014. Kicking off in supreme style, Michael Craig-Martin at Chatsworth (16 March - 29 June) sees a major display of contemporary sculpture in the garden with new works specially produced for this year’s event. Inside the house, Michael Craig-Martin brings his own approach to highlighting sculpture from the Devonshire Collection.  From 16 March onwards, Jacob van der Beugel’s permanent contemporary ceramic installation will sit in the North Sketch Gallery alongside displays of historic ceramics from the Devonshire Collection.

Chatsworth in Wartime (4 April - 23 December) marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War and will be complemented by Conflict in Art (1 July – 7 November): a selection of Old Master Drawings from the Devonshire Collection.

Castle Howard

Exploring the castle’s wartime narratives, Duty Calls: Castle Howard in Time of War (22 March - 2 November) catalogues the impact of war at home; where between 1815 and 1944 five Howards were killed in action. Belgian refugees, enemy prisoners, evacuees, fire, crashed aircraft and horses commandeered for the front meant that the war deeply affected Castle Howard and its inhabitants. 

Harewood House

This year, Harewood House plays host to exhibitions by French and British masters: from the iconic sculptures of Yorkshire artist Henry Moore to exquisite porcelain owned by the ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette of France. In Pursuit of the Exquisite: Royal Sèvres from Versailles to Harewood (18th April – 2nd November) includes delicate and fragile objects which survived the downfall of their original owners, the tumult of the French revolution, alongside contemporary work combining video, sound and ceramics, making connections between the past and present (Terrace Gallery, 18th April – 2nd November 2014). The season is completed with a celebration of the great sculptor Henry Moore whose work can be seen against Harewood’s elegant backdrop (exhibition dates 21st June – 2nd November 2014).

Yorkshire will be the focus of the world’s media on 5th July 2014, when the greatest annual sporting event on earth, the Tour de France, starts in England’s finest county for the first time. To celebrate the occasion, Harewood is hosting the inaugural Dare 2b Yorkshire Festival of Cycling (4 – 6 July), offering visitors the rare opportunity to stay in its magnificent grounds and witness the peloton ride past the front of the house.

Hatfield House

Taking place in the West Garden at Hatfield is ‘The Great British Sculpture Show’ from 5 April – 30 September. Curated by award-winning artist Andrew Sinclair, one of the foremost figurative and surrealist sculptors in the UK today, and his partner, artist Diane Coates, the exhibition will feature their work and that of 22 other prominent sculptors. These include acclaimed artists David Goode, Geoffrey Dashwood, Hamish Mackie, Ian Rank-Broadly and Etienne Millner, President of the Society of Portrait Sculptors. Over 70 works will be brought together with the aim of bringing beauty, technical skill and craftsmanship back to the world of art.

Holkham Hall

Duty Calls: Holkham 1914 to 1918 is a new exhibition to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of WW1 and will reveal the story of the war’s impact on the Coke family and Holkham village. Personal letters, archives, books, photographs and artefacts will relate the family’s experiences, illustrate the war poets’ works and showcase the soldiers’ striking trench art.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle hosts a magnificent mix of events this year, from Jousting with the Knight’s of Royal England (27 May – 1 June) featuring action displays of daredevil stunts, falls, fights and galloping horses to brand new Royal Armouries Medieval Festival (23 – 31 August), which celebrates the colourful Middle Ages at the 900 year old castle.  And don’t miss their fantastic Festival of Flowers (22-28 September), where the State Rooms will be spectacularly transformed into floral works of art by local florists, flower societies and clubs.

Chinese Dairy Soldiers And Nurses

Opening in April, two exhibitions at Woburn Abbey: Valiant Hearts: World War I Exhibition commemorates the centenary of the outbreak of The Great War, exploring the variety of roles played by the 11th Duke and Duchess, the Abbey and the people from the Estate and surrounding villages.  Discover fascinating stories and a range of artefacts, photographs and archive materials that detail the incredible and moving wartime stories of men and women from Woburn during the poignantly historical time.  Peeling Back The Years: Chinese Wallpaper at Woburn Abbey - Get close to beautiful hand-painted Chinoiserie papers and explore how these were made, sold and hung during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This exhibition tells the fascinating story of a decorative element with which we all live, in its most inventive and luxury form.

www.treasurehouses.co.uk

One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses is they offer visitors a living history.  Most are still home to the families that have lived there for generations.

But forget old-fashioned images of historic houses, today’s Treasure Houses offer exciting new experiences for everyone to enjoy. Uncover hidden gems and dark secrets, follow cycle trails or stroll in beautiful gardens, enjoy contemporary sculpture and relax over afternoon tea.

The Treasure Houses change with the seasons, move with the times and always have something unexpected to offer, something new to discover making it a perfect day out.
Treasure Houses are:  Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield, Holkham, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.