Visit Date: April 2015
THE HENRY MOORE FOUNDATION: Perry Green, Hertfordshire
Friday 1 May to Sunday 25 October 2015
Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays, 11am-5pm
WEBSITE: http://www.henry-moore.org
OPEN: Hoglands, Studios & Gardens Wednesday - Friday mornings only
COST: Adult £9.10 Family £23.50
OPEN: Studios & Gardens
COST: Adult £6.30 Family £15.70
The Henry Moore Foundation is a national treasure, endowed by Moore to preserve his legacy for the world. Nestled in Perry Green, a Hamlet of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, this is a gem in the countryside - art among the sheep fields.
Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae 1968
Moore settled here in 1941, and his house Hoglands forms part of the sculpture garden featuring his work.
Hoglands and Top Studio Henry Moore's family home
Goslar Warrior 1973-74
Many works are visible from public walkways, but to really begin to understand Moore, do the whole thing - tour the restored house, visit the studios and walk the grounds. The maquette studio shows the small maquettes he worked on, and the found objects that inspired him, preserved to look as it did when he worked in it - such a jumble that you see something new every time. The guides are enthusiastic and well-informed.
The grounds are beautifully and neatly maintained. Most years, there is a special exhibition, so keep an eye out for forthcoming exhibitions and events. It's only open Spring-Autumn, so plan ahead. I think this year it might be closed for building work, so plan a countryside walk which allows you to see some of the massive works in fields and walkways.
The foundation owns a nearby pub The Hoops Inn which serves great food, while the cask beer on sale did make me chuckle - Adnams Southwold Bitter and Meantime London Pale Ale, I wondered if they had been chosen especially, as it seems to me that Perry Green is almost halfway between the two great breweries.
