Plein Air at Downton Moot

Downton Moot is an interesting place. Formerly a motte and bailey fortification, it was captured by the Earl of Salisbury in 1147, who was in turn, besieged and starved out by the Bishop of Winchester. (Keen students of history will recall the exciting times of Stephen and Matilda).

In the eighteenth century it was developed as a pleasure garden, complete with a fashionable Temple of Mercury.

During our plein air day, the weather displayed a playful variety of moods, with bright sunshine interspersed with sharp showers. Our artists had plenty to choose from: woodland, a delightful bank of primroses by the lake, a walled garden, and views along the Avon.

RAS members scattered into the landscape and were soaked up like blotting paper. Passing walkers commented on the number of painters dotted about but few were found when our photographer pottered round to find them.

After one particularly emphatic shower, some of us retreated to a very cosy coffee shop by the Co-op in the village, where some excellent cake raised our spirits.