Author name: Beckford Society

At 7.30p.m. on Tuesday 27th September Dr Amy Frost, Curator of Beckford’s Tower and Museum, will deliver the annual Teulon Porter Memorial Lecture on behalf of The Shaftesbury & District Historical Society at the Town Hall. https://goldhillmuseum.org.uk/william-beckford-after-fonthill-lecture-at-shaftesbury-town-hall/

The Autumn 2022 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page.

Fonthill Fever Exhibition @ Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury

A major Temporary Exhibition, “Fonthill Fever”, marks the bicentenary of William Beckford’s sale of the Fonthill Abbey estate in 1822.  Curated by Sidney Blackmore, Secretary of the Beckford Society, the full story of the sale (plus a repeat sale in 1823, and an almighty crash in 1825) is superbly told in this not-to-be-missed FREE exhibition at Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury.

Diary of Events

The Old Fonthill Abbey Estate (which contains the remains of William Beckford’s Fonthill Abbey) will be open on Sundays 1st and 15th May. 10.00am – 5.00pm (entrance at SP3 6SP). In aid of Parkinsons UK and local charities.

Visitors are invited to take a good hike (or gentle stroll) around the woods and lake. Bluebells should be in flower on 1 May and rhododendrons on the 15th. As in previous years, there will be homemade cakes and soup, prize-winning bangers on the barbecue, and tea and coffee all day.

In the event of high winds, if Stourhead NT is closed, reluctantly so will the Old Fonthill Abbey Estate. If in doubt, please check the NT website.

The gardens of Fonthill House (SP3 5SA) will be open in aid of Beckford’s Tower on Sunday 8 May. Wonderful woodland walks, magnificent views and formal gardens.

The Autumn 2021 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page.

The Spring 2021 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page as well as July’s AGM booking form.

The Autumn 2020 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page.

The Spring 2020 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page.

The Beckford Lecture and Dinner will be held at the Travellers Club on Thursday 17th October 2019 at 6:30pm. A booking form has been enclosed with the newsletter mailing and is also available here.

The Autumn 2019 Beckford Society newsletter has been posted to members and is now available on the web site via the Newsletters tab on the Publications page.