The Edward Thomas Study Centre is home to a wide collection of books, art, artefacts and other items reflecting the life and continuing influence of poet, writer and literary critic Edward Thomas.
The Edward Thomas Study Centre is home to the Tim Wilton-Steer Collection of works by and about the poet Edward Thomas (1878-1917). Attracted by the landscape and the South Downs, Thomas and his family lived in Steep, near Petersfield for ten years, from 1906. Known during his lifetime as a critic, essayist and writer of books about the countryside, Thomas moved towards writing his own poetry in late 1914, initially publishing under the name Edward Eastaway. Before he saw his poetry in print under his own name, he was killed at the Battle of Arras on Easter Monday 1917. Since then, Thomas’s reputation as a poet has increased greatly and his posthumous influence on the development of English verse has been widely recognised.
In addition to the extensive library of poetry and prose, there is an eclectic display of work from artists inspired by Thomas's work - including wood and lino-cuts, calligraphy, sketch work and paintings, particularly of the Memorial Stone on the Shoulder of Mutton Hill between Steep and Froxfield.
For further information about the Study Centre and the Collection held there please follow this link to the Study Centre's dedicated page on the Edward Thomas Fellowship website - https://edward-thomas-fellowship.org.uk/the-edward-thomas-study-centre/.
It is open to visitors every Wednesday and Thursday (10:00am to 3:30pm) and at other times by appointment.
Free entry – No admission ticket is required.