|
Historic London - Greater London
An A-Z of historic attractions in the Greater London area. For Inner
London click here, and for royal palaces
see Royal London.
Chiswick House
Chiswick Park, W4
A fine Palladian mansion designed by Lord Burlington in classical style.
There are wonderful ceiling paintings by William Kent, and the art collection
is extensive. The gardens at Chiswick are now much altered from Burlington's
original "picturesque" designs, but the Cascade still tumbles
down a flight of rocks.
 Turnham
Green
Cutty Sark & Gypsy Moth
Greenwich SE10 Tel. 0181 858 3445
Two for the price of one, these famous boats (ships?) are appropriately
enshrined as permanent exhibits just yards from the River Thames. The
Cutty Sark was the last and most famous tea-clipper built for the lucrative
China tea trade. In the miniscule (by comparison) Gypsy Moth Sir Francis
Chichester sailed single-handedly around the world in 1966-67.
Maze Hill
Cutty Sark (Docklands Light Rail), or Riverbus to Greenwich Pier
Fenton House
Windmill Hill, Hampstead, London, NW3 6RT, Tel/Fax 020 7435 3471/01494
755563 – infoline.
Just off Hampstead Heath, this National Trust house is famous for its
collection of early keyboard instruments, most of which are in working
order. The 17th-century house also boasts an outstanding collection
of porcelain, 17th-century needlework pictures, and Georgian furniture
. The delightful walled garden includes fine displays of roses and a
vegetable garden. website
Hampstead
Ham House
Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey TW10 7RS, Tel 020
8940 1950, Fax 020 8332 6903
Ham House is unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th
-century power and fashion. Built in 1610, it was enlarged during the
1670’s when it was at the heart of Restoration court life and
intrigue. The garden is one of the few formal gardens to have survived
the English Landscape Movement in the 18th-century. An important and
influential restoration programme was begun in 1973 and an exhibition
about this with a video of the history of the house is on show in the
18th-century dairy. This property belongs to the National Trust. website
Hampstead
Hogarth's House
Just 5 minutes walk from Chiswick House, this was once the home of artist
William Hogarth, famous for his renderings of the highs and lows of
English society in the Georgian period. There are copies of many of
Hogarths paintings and engravings on view.
Turnham
Green
Keats House
Wentworth Place, Keats Grove, NW3
Poet John Keats lived here 1818-20. Free Admission.
Hampstead
Kenwood House
Hampstead Lane, NW3
A wonderful art collection graces this National Trust stately home set
in gardens at the northern edge of Hampstead Heath. The interior is
by Robert Adam, and there are paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer among
others. In summer the house hosts open air concerts.
Archway,
Golders Green, then bus #210
Leighton House
12 Holland Park Road, W14
Victorian house built for artist Lord Leighton, contains examples
of his work, the studio where he worked, and the exotic Arab Hall with
fantastic tiled floors.
High
Street Kensington
Queen's House
Greenwich, SE10
One of the few surviving works by Inigo Jones, the Queen's House was
finished in 1635, and has recently been meticulously restored.The Tulip
Staircase is the first example in Britain of a cantilevered stair, and
fine period furniture and art grace the interior.
Maze Hill
Cutty Sark (Docklands Light Rail), or Riverbus to Greenwich Pier
Royal Naval College
Begun as a hospital and retirement home for seamen wounded in their
country's service, the College now belongs to the University of Greenwich.
The south wing is open to visitors, and you can see the amazing Painted
Hall, where James Thornhill emblazoned the ceiling with paintings glorifying
William and Mary and victory over the French.
Maze Hill
Cutty Sark (Docklands Light Rail), or Riverbus to Greenwich Pier
Ranger's House
Chesterfield Walk, Blackheath, SE10
Built by the French Admiral Hosier in 1700, and home to the 4th Earl
of Chesterfield, the house showcases a collection of period musical
instruments and very large Stuart portraits.
Blackheath, Greenwich, or Riverbus to Greenwich
Marble Hill House
Richmond Road, Twickenham
This Palladian mansion was built for George II's mistress, Henrietta
Howard. It was later occupied by Mrs. Fitzherbert, secret wife of George
IV. The interior contains fine Georgian furniture and paintings and
an exhibition on the life of Henrietta, while the park stretches down
to meet the Thames.
Richmond
St. Margaret's, Richmond, Twickenham
Osterley Park House
Osterley, Middlesex
A masterful, ornately classical house designed by Robert Adam. The plasterwork
is some of Adam's finest, and the state rooms are filled with fine furniture
and paiotings. Contrast all this finery with the kitchen below stairs.
Free entry to the 120 acre park.
Osterley
Syon House
Brentford, Middlesex
Another Robert Adam masterpiece, remodeled for the Dukes of Northumberland.
The earlier medieval house was Lady Jane Grey's home prior to her 9-days
rule and subsequent execution. The interior features wonderful ornate
state rooms and scupture, including the famous "Dying Gaul".
The 55 acre gardens were designed by Capability Brown. Of note is the
Great Conservatory, a remarkable glass dome.
Gunnersby,
then bus 237 or 267 to Brent Lea Gate
Also see:
Historic London - Inner London
Museums
and Galleries
Royal London
|
