New Art in The Temple of Peace

Hawarden was home to William Gladstone, Britain’s longest serving Prime Minister. Gladstone loved Hawarden more than anywhere and would regularly make the journey from parliament to read in this study and -famously- to chop down trees on the estate.

He called this study The Temple of Peace because it was his place of escape from the turbulence of political life. He loved this room so much that before his state funeral, he lay here draped in the colours of Armenia, a country that he had recently supported in the face of genocide.

Since his death, the room has remained pretty much as it was, untouched and largely unseen except by academics. A room of national significance in a private home. 

New Art in The Temple of Peace is an attempt to begin to make the room more accessible to people that are interested in visiting while also stimulating thought and conversation through the commissioning of some exciting art works.

We have selected work that will be engaging and stimulating and that will open up this private and historically significant space in previously unimaginable ways. 

The small exhibition will launch with a series of conversations with the artists and close with the same. And in between these events we’ll be opening the Temple of Peace on a series of special viewings. You are warmly invited to join us.

If you would like to come and view the art works in The Temple of Peace, please use the button below to send an email enquiry.

Please include your name, address, telephone number and your preferred email address for us to contact you on. You will need to make your enquiry at least 48 hours prior to visiting, and your attendance will need to be agreed via email by a member of our team.