When you visit a historic place, your eyes usually go where you expect them to: the paintings at eye level, the carved doors and the glass cases full of relics. Few people ever think to tilt their heads back and take in what hangs overhead. That is a missed opportunity, because ceilings are where many builders and artists saved their boldest work, far from the crowds and the velvet ropes. Doubt it? Then you must certainly visit one of the sites featured in conservation charity English Heritage’s ‘Lie Down and Look Up’ campaign, which runs until November 1. At five of its sites, the charity has set out cushions so visitors can lie down and stare upwards for as long as they like. “Ceilings are often the crowning glory of a historic building. Designed to inspire awe, they can be wonderfully distinctive, with decoration that survives remarkably well,” Jeremy Ashbee, head curator of properties at English Heritage, said in a statement. “But when visiting a historic place, there’s not always the opportunity to enjoy a splendid ceiling to the fullest.…
England's historic homes invite visitors to lie down and admire ornate ceilings
In short
The initiative, titled "Lie Down and Look Up," spans five heritage sites featuring vastly different architectural styles. Curators like Jeremy Ashbee hope this temporary arrangement allows guests to properly enjoy artwork that traditional touring conditions obscure. Among the highlights is Bolsover Castle's Star Chamber, which features a ceiling decorated with 254 individual gold-leaf stars.
Key points
- English Heritage is using floor cushions to prompt visitors to notice architectural eleme…: English Heritage is using floor cushions to prompt visitors to notice architectural elements that are normally overlooked.
- The participating sites encompass diverse designs ranging from 19th-century Greek Revival…: The participating sites encompass diverse designs ranging from 19th-century Greek Revival glass roofs to French château-inspired painted drawing rooms.
- The temporary ceiling-viewing initiative is scheduled to run across all five historic pro…: The temporary ceiling-viewing initiative is scheduled to run across all five historic properties until November 1.