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Mary Seton Watts (nee Fraser Tytler) was born in India on 25 November 1849. Daughter of Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, who worked for the East India Company, Mary spent much of her youth in Scotland where she was raised by her grandparents.
Mary was an artist, designer, writer, businesswoman and philanthropist. She was the creative powerhouse behind two significant enterprises: the Watts Chapel and the Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton.
On the tour find out more about her artistic skills and drive, as well as her early life. Expert guides will show you her much loved ceilings at Limnerslease, the Pottery she established, now the Visitor Centre, and the community project that is the Watts Cemetery Chapel. Half of this tour takes place outside so please wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the galleries that Mary founded and extended, as well as read on our Smartify tour about her different roles. Don't miss the De Morgan exhibition, Decoration or Devotion? on your visit. William and Evelyn De Morgan were great friends of George and Mary Watts and William was a ceramic advisor to Mary.
Take home Mary Watts's diary to learn more about her from her own writing. The diary includes detailed annotations, an introductory essay and short commentaries at the start of each year represented. This book chronicles life in the artistic, literary and political circles of the time, while also providing invaluable insights into Mary's own considerable achievements - most notably her management of the building and decorating of her unique Watts Cemetery Chapel.