The Walberswick Enigma - Artists Inspired by the Blyth Estuary
Walberswick and the Blyth Valley have attracted artists for nearly two centuries. The visits of PHILIP WILSON STEER and CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH are now common knowledge, but a great many other major artists worked in the area.
Blythburgh, too, had its artist residents: ERNEST CROFTS RA, SIR JOHN SEYMOUR LUCAS RA, and WILLIAM BENNER all had homes in the village.
In the early nineteenth century CORNELIUS VARLEY and PETER DE WINT, both prominent water-colourists, made studies of Walberswick church, while in the 1860s and 1870s CHARLES KEENE, very highly regarded in his day, produced drawings and etchings of riverside subjects.
The mid–1880s saw a substantial influx of young artists, mainly Paris-trained, who later became very prominent: many had also spent time in the burgeoning artist colonies in Brittany and Cornwall. Perhaps the best–known of the ‘new wave’ was Steer, but other notable visitors of the period included FREDERICK BROWN, Slade Professor for many years; SIR FRANK SHORT, Head of the School of Engraving at the RCA, and the Irish Academicians WALTER OSBORNE, NATHANIEL HILL and AUGUSTUS BURKE.
Blythburgh Society - The History Notes: The Walberswick Enigma. Artists inspired by the Blyth Estuary
Between the wars the arrival of distinguished artists continued unabated. These included Royal Academicians SIR ARNESBY BROWN, SIR GEORGE CLAUSEN, R. O. DUNLOP and BERTRAM PRIESTMAN. More permanently domiciled in the village were W. F. CRITTALL, ALLAN DAVIDSON and TOM VAN OSS.
Since World War 2, artists with homes in Walberswick have included CLIFFORD RUSSELL, ERIC SCOTT, CHRIS and WENDY SINCLAIR, SIDNEY SEYMOUR LUCAS and WILLIAM BOWYER RA, while visitors have included BERNARD DUNSTAN RA, SIR WILLIAM COLDSTREAM and F. W. BALDWIN. These are merely the tip of a huge iceberg - the list seems endless.
The attraction defies clear analysis, but must involve elemental considerations: water, air, light and space, combined with a compellingly haunting atmosphere.
R. R. Scott, Walberswick, October 1995.
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Some Favourite Websites For August 2026:
Symon Clarke Composer – Acclaimed classic and ensemble music
Symon Clarke has composed acclaimed music for a wide range of classical ensembles and soloists and created a body of original music for Javanese and Balinese gamelan. His works have been played by well-known performers around the UK and abroad.
Green Haven Holidays – Caravan and Camping Site near Halesworth
Stuart and Katherine have enthusiastically established their campsite in the village of Rumburgh just north of Halesworth. From the outset they were keen that this would be an eco-friendly business and are open from April until early October.
Chris Doyle Photography – Beautiful Photos of local nature and recent horse riding events
View extensive online galleries of recent horse shows, show jumping, cross country and other events as well as galleries of local wildlife. Prints are available to order online.
St James South Elmham Village – An ancient and deeply rural village in north-east Suffolk.
St. James South Elmham is a rural village with a strong community and a host of regular community events. Agriculture is at the core of village life and still comes right into its centre. Nowadays, the high-speed broadband service supports farming and family life, and many other activities, services and businesses besides.
The Halesworth Pet Store – Specialists in Animal Nutrition and Pet Care
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