Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will be closed on Wednesday 17 June for a private event. There will be no public access to the site on this date. Thank you for your understanding.
“The queen of wallpaper”
The Sunday Times
“The motifs themselves are both original and sophisticated.”
House & Garden
This exhibition explores Armitage’s distinctive approach to pattern making in wallpaper and fabric design. The child of Dutch parents, Marthe is renowned for her hand-drawn, hand-printed patterns created in her Chiswick studio. Now aged 95, she is one of Britain’s most beloved designers and is celebrated for the intricate and imaginative detail that still imbues her work, and the expert craftmanship of her practice.
As the title suggests, Pattern Maker traces Armitage’s artistic process — from initial sketches, tracings and lino blocks to finished wallpapers and textiles — revealing the journey behind each work.
Her designs are rooted in the landscapes, riverbanks, and architectural details of her local Chiswick surroundings — where she and her family have lived since 1939 — and translate the familiar, such as a chestnut tree or an angelica plant into the fantastical, transforming everyday scenes into immersive decorative worlds.
This focused exhibition brings together original drawings and tracings, prints, archival material, and large-scale installed wallpapers and fabric, offering an intimate insight into the life and work of an artist whose designs have quietly shaped British interiors for more than half a century. At Pitzhanger, Armitage’s celebration of craft and place finds an appropriate, resonant setting, echoing Sir John Soane’s own passion for pattern, narrative, and the handmade.
“What has made her designs so distinct and so covetable is their apparent freedom.”
RA Magazine
“A doyenne of wallpaper and fabric design.”
APOLLO Magazine
“A beloved British designer of nature-inspired, hand-drawn wallpapers and fabrics.”
Financial Times
“You need to see this”
ArtFund
“Pick of the spring”
Country Life
“An exceptional creator on our doorstep.”
The Chiswick Calendar
19 March – 19 July 2026
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ
Access with general admission
Ticket includes entry to Sir John Soane’s historic house and the exhibitions
Enjoy flexible admission during the following times:
1 April 2026, 9–10am
8 and 9 April 2026, 10am–2pm (drop-in)
7 May 2026, 4.40–5.30pm and 6.30–7.30pm
28 May 2026, 10am–noon and 12.30–2.30pm
Get free, unlimited entry to Pitzhanger and invitations to exclusive Members events while supporting the work of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.
More info+44 (0) 20 3985 8888, pitzhanger@pitzhanger.org.uk
To be the first to hear about the latest updates from Pitzhanger, sign up to our newsletter:
Categories Art Exhibitions
Share this page
This exhibition explores Armitage’s distinctive approach to pattern making in wallpaper and fabric design.
More infoA world of nature between abstraction and figuration is planted throughout Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.
More infoA major exhibition celebrating the life and work of Sir Peter Blake, one of the defining figures of British Pop Art.
More info
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ
Ticketing, Opening Hours and Tour Enquiries: foh@pitzhanger.org.uk
Retail Enquires: retail@pitzhanger.org.uk
Reception: 020 3985 8888
Venue Hire: 020 3994 0966
Office: 020 3994 0967
Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
First Thursday of the month: 10:00 - 20:00
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Bank Holidays: 10:00 - 17:00
Last admissions one hour before closing
Curator Tour: Phoebe Collings-James
Join us on Thursday 4 June at 6.30pm for a special curator tour of Phoebe Collings-James: a rose, a bridge, a house.
The tour is included with general admission as part of our Thursday Late opening. Simply book your general admission ticket for the evening to attend.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Pitzhanger Plant Sale: 7 June
Join us for the Pitzhanger Plant Sale 2026 in the Front Garden on Sunday 7 June, 10am–2pm. No ticket is required to visit the Plant Sale.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will remain open as usual with general admission. If you would also like to visit the historic manor and our exhibitions, please continue to book your tickets as normal.
Pay-what-you-can admission for Ealing Borough residents is also available as usual from 10am–noon. Proof of eligibility required.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Important Visitor Information: 17 June
Please note that Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will be closed on 17 June for a private event.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Main Gallery Closed: 17 June – 26 July
The main gallery will be closed from 17 June – 26 July for exhibition changeover following the close of Phoebe Collings-James: a rose, a bridge, a house.
Pitzhanger Manor and Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker (closing on 19 July) remain open as usual during this period. The café and shop also remain open and can be visited without a ticket.
Discounted admission is available on dates when the site is open to the public during this period.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Important Visitor Information: 24–25 June
Please note that Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will be closed on 24 and 25 June for a private event.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Main Gallery Closed: 17 June – 26 July
The main gallery will be closed from 17 June – 26 July for exhibition changeover following the close of Phoebe Collings-James: a rose, a bridge, a house.
Pitzhanger Manor and Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker (closing on 19 July) remain open as usual during this period. The café and shop also remain open and can be visited without a ticket.
Discounted admission is available on dates when the site is open to the public during this period.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closures & Discounted Admission: 8–19 July
Parts of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will be temporarily closed from 8–19 July due to filming activity. The main gallery, café, shop, Monk’s Dining Room and Wonder Room will be closed during this period.
Discounted admission is available for access to the remaining areas of the Manor, including Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker. A temporary pop-up shop will be available inside the Manor.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Main Gallery Closed: 24 July
The main gallery will remain closed on 24 July during exhibition changeover.
Pitzhanger Manor remains open with discounted admission. The café and shop also remain open as usual.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Main Gallery Closed: 26 July
The main gallery will remain closed on 26 July during exhibition changeover.
Pitzhanger Manor remains open with discounted admission. The café and shop also remain open as usual.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 1 August, 10am–5pm
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 10am–5pm on 1 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 8 August, 12.30–5pm
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 12.30–5pm on 8 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 22 August, 2–4pm
Please note that the Upper Drawing Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 2–4pm on 22 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Get Tickets 
