About Us

First-View is the brain child of Jane Parfitt. Originally known as “First-View Exhibitions” is was a peripatetic selling exhibition spending a couple weeks at various visitor attractions around the South West.

At the time Jane worked for the National Trust at Stourhead and in 2002 heard there was some space becoming available in the Spread Eagle Courtyard and proposed to the ‘Trust that she would renovate the space and open an Art Gallery.  Initially the Gallery comprised 2 separate areas either side of the Archway. By 2020 the gallery has been enlarged into a single space which is much easier to manage and is visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Over the years First-View has gone from strength to strength and offers a selling outlet for 100s of local artists. If you are an artist, of any discipline, and would be interested in selling through us please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

If you are a potential or actual customer we would also be grateful for your feedback and comments

About us

Situated on the National Trust's famous Stourhead Estate the Gallery was opened in 2002 and is owned by Jane Parfitt.

The Gallery is located in the Spread Eagle Courtyard, a favourite place for visitors to relax.

We are always anxious to meet new artists and this is best arranged by making an initial contact using email or the contact form. First-View artists please go here for further in- formation

Find us

First-View Gallery

Spread Eagle Courtyard Stourton BA12 6QE


01747 840747 07900 363259

We are open every day except Christmas Day
March-December 11-5 pm.
January & February 12 - 4pm

During the Stourhead Lights Event we stay open until 9pm

To Find Us

Follow the signs for National Trust Stourhead, do not go into their signed car park. Continue down the road for 1/4 mile and enter the car park on the left, just before the castellated buildings.

First-View is on the left of the archway

When closed we are happy to open for appointments