London's House Museums
3 Must-See Historic Homes
3 Must-See Historic Homes
There are so many amazing houses in London that have been preserved and are open to the public for viewing. There are some big names left off this very short list, for example the Sir John Soane's Museum and Dennis Severs' House. Here I have picked 3 of my recently visited favourites. I have deliberately chosen only a few photos for each place, as the real magic is in seeing the houses for yourself.
Eltham Palace SE9
This beautiful set of buildings has more history than sounds possible. First recorded as being a known dwelling in 1086, Eltham has had many lives and seen England change throughout history. The house and grounds have morphed from a Tudor Palace and Great Hall to Millionaire's party mansion, war-time air-raid bunker and now museum and wedding venue. Eltham was most recently home to the Courtauld's from 1933 to 1944, where it underwent major restoration and renovation to suit their entertaining needs. The Palace has been used in films such as I Capture The Castle and Brideshead Revisited.
What I like most about Eltham is the quirky diversity each rooms brings. The house almost feels like the Grand Budapest Hotel - you get a sense that important and exciting things happened here, and a house that has now fallen silent. Virginia Courtauld had a custom built cage made for her pet ring-tailed Lemur, one of the first modern telephones is installed in a private room to the side of the main entry hall, and one of the first showers can be seen in the boys room (cold water only!). Below ground there is also a darkroom and full-sized billiards table. Despite all this change the house still has a sense of being a whole, connected to both past and future.
In my opinion the audio guide isn't very helpful, but the cafe in the greenhouse, and the activities for kids are both well executed.
Closest Tube Station: Eltham (National Rail)
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18 Stafford Terrace W8
This was the home of Illustrator and artist Linley Sambourne and his family. He moved into the 'new' neighbourhood of Kensington in 1875, not being able to afford to build his own 'artist's residence' from scratch. Although small, the house is beautiful and is preserved almost exactly how the family left it before Linley's granddaughter, Anne Countess of Rosse, gave it to the Greater London Council, and then the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to be used as a museum in 1989. This house really does feel like a time capsule, and the tour guides seem to really know the history of the house.
To hear the information about the house I think the guided tour is interesting, although if you want to take photos you have to come in the afternoon after the tour is finished. The introductory video and timeline in the basement also give a lot of interesting information about the history of the house and family.
Closest Tube Station: High Street Kensington
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12 Holland Park Road W14
Just down the road from Stafford Terrace, Leighton House is the dream house Linley was trying to create with No. 18. Leighton and Sambourne were friends, and while Linley's house was too modest to invite such friends as Lord Leighton, Sambourne was a frequent guest at Holland Park Road. My favourite part of the house is the tiled entry hall and fountain room on the ground floor. A close second is Leighton's studio on the second floor. He had extra large windows installed so the room could capture the natural light. One of the biggest points of interest for the house is Leighton's artwork, which can be seen throughout the house, and also in a newer gallery space at the end of the studio. In 2012 the museum was awarded the Europa Nostra Award for European Cultural Heritage.
Looking around the house by yourself is a nice way to explore organically, or there are tours on Wednesdays and Sundays. I think you can also get a special deal on your ticket if you buy for Leighton House and Sambourne House together.
Closest Tube Station: High Street Kensington
>> https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/museums/leightonhousemuseum/aboutthehouse.aspx<<
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I hope you decide to visit one or more of these Museums, there are so many great houses in London like these that are open to the public - let me know if you have any suggestions for which one I should visit next!
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I am not sponsored or affiliated with any of the organisations I have mentioned in this article.
All opinions are my own and I paid admission to enter all of these museums.
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