The National Trust's Berrington Hall marks an important anniversary of the charity's 'Women and Power’ programme by launching a new exhibition, ‘A Dress Fit For a King’ which includes a contemporary artwork, ‘Eye am She’ by Herefordshire artist Lorna J Brown.

Throughout 2018, the National Trust is commemorating the centenary of the Representation of the People Act which saw the first women gaining the vote in a British Parliamentary election, with its national programme ‘Women and Power’. Berrington has taken the opportunity to research and uncover the stories of some of its 18th century women to help visitors understand more about Berrington and in particular, Ann Bangham, wife of creator and first owner Thomas Harley.

In 2016 Berrington Hall acquired Ann Bangham's court mantua dress, an item which has led to a reimagining of the life of Ann and a fresh perspective on the Georgian culture that surrounded women in the 18th century.

Elements of this original dress can now been seen in ‘A Dress Fit for a King', designed to introduce visitors to Ann's life and to the story of Berrington’s original owners. On selected days, there will be an opportnity to watch the conservator as she works to restore the dress and re-piece it.

Complementing ‘A Dress Fit for a King’ is ‘Eye am She’, a contemporary mixed media artwork by Herefordshire based artist, Lorna J Brown, inspired by the life of Ann Bangham and the 18th century seedlings of modern celebrity culture. Centred around the life of this Georgian woman, it explores both a factual and hypothetical narrative of the life of a socialite and her experience of motherhood and womanhood.

Both exhibitions are open daily, from 11am.