• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Culture / Architecture / Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

Top 10 London: The Ten Best London’s Stately Homes To Visit

Dec 12, 2018 By John Rabon

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Londontopia Print Magazine last summer. Support great long-form writing about London by subscribing to the Londontopia Print Magazine – the only print magazine dedicated completely to London. You can subscribe here.

London is an incredibly posh city and some of the greatest places to live.  Beyond the palaces of royalty, there are a number of stately homes throughout the city.  Built by some of the city’s most influential and wealthy citizens, many of them exist today as museums to the former occupants or homes to presently important individuals.  While most of London’s grand houses were long ago demolished, quite a few remain to explore. Many of London’s stately homes are available to visit, so enjoy this list of the city’s best and plan to visit one on your next trip.

Apsley House

With the eminent address of No. 1 London, Apsley House was the home built by Robert Adam for Henry Bathurst, known as the Lord Apsley, from which the house derives its name.  It later became the home of Arthur Wellesley, better known as the first Duke of Wellington, and later, his heirs.  Today, the house is a museum dedicated to its most famous resident with some apartments kept for current Duke of Wellington and his family.  One of the things most worth seeing is the art collection that includes paintings by Van Dycke, Goya, Valazquez, and Rubens.  The home is closed for major holidays but open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00 and the price for an adult ticket are £10.30 without a gift aid to English Heritage.

Mansion House

Built in the Palladian style by George Dance, the Elder, Mansion House has existed since its inception as the residence of the Lord Mayor of London.  The Egyptian Hall, which also serves as a banqueting hall, is one of the home’s greatest features.  Perhaps the greatest event Mansion House sees every year is the Lord Mayor’s Show, in which the current Lord Mayor begins and ends his parade through the city there.  The house is not typically opened to individual members of the public, but groups of fifteen or more can set an appointment to tour the house with its official guides by contacting the Principal Assistant.

Kenwood House

Kenwood House is a neoclassical home on Hampstead Heath and has its own beautiful gardens that add to the area’s beauty.  The interiors are worth your time as well, from the Georgian and Neoclassical architecture to the vast art collection.  The grounds often host classical concerts and has been used for filming over a dozen films and television programmes.  The house is open every day of the week from 10:00 to 16:00, and the cost for the house and estate tour is £15.80, though you can access the grounds for free.

Spencer House

Built under orders from Princess Diana’s ancestor, John Spencer, First Earl Spencer, in the late 18th Century, and it remains in the family today.  It was designed by James “Athenian” Stewart with his love of classic Greek architecture, which is certainly evident from the exterior.  However, it’s the interior staterooms that are really worth viewing.  Eight of the staterooms are open on Sundays from 10:30 to 16:30 at a cost of £12 for an adult ticket.  Larger groups of 15 or more can book tours on Monday mornings.

Fenton House

Also found in Hampstead is Fenton House, a 17th Century mansion today maintained by the National Trust.  It was bequeathed to the trust by its last owner in 1952, and the interior contains the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments, Georgian furniture, 17th Century needlework, and Oriental, European, and English porcelain.  The gardens are also worth exploration and Apple Day in late September lets visitors enjoy some of the orchard’s wonderful fruit.  The house is presently closed to visitors, but when it opens the cost of entry is £7.70.

Ham House

Speaking of gardens, Ham House and Gardens in Richmond on the banks of the Thames is certainly worth your time to visit.  First off, it is the most complete surviving 17th Century mansion in all of Europe and has a history that includes many royal secrets and also a few ghosts.  The artwork, furniture, and interior architecture is all perfectly preserved and will take you back in time more effectively than a TARDIS.  The house is typically open from 10:00 to 16:30 practically every day with House tours from 12:00 to 13:00.  Cost for tickets is £10.80 for adults, but be sure to check the calendar as the house does sometimes close for filming.

Leighton House

The home of Frederic Leighton, the Victorian artist, is as gorgeous as you might expect an artist’s home to be.  The Arab Hall is full of beautiful mosaic tile work, and the home contains Lord Leighton’s personal collection of Victorian sculpture, paintings, and drawings.  Like a mini-art museum, the house also has revolving contemporary exhibits.  The museum is open every day except Tuesdays from 10:00 to 17:30, with the last entry at 17:00.  A ticket is typically £9 for adults with free tours offered on Wednesday and Sunday at 15:00 with the price of admission.

Chiswick House

Another of London’s beautiful neo-Palladian mansions, Chiswick House was built by the Earl of Burlington as a chance for him to experiment with architecture and show off his love of art.  Burlington’s intention was to have everything in a Roman style, including the garden, which is the real aspect of the house to see.  Some of the highlights of the garden include William Kent’s cascade and the Ionic Temple.  The house is closed during the winter but opens again on 31 March from 10:00 to 17:00 every day and the gardens are open year-round.  House entry fees are free for English Heritage members and £8.00 for everyone else.

Osterley Park

In the middle of a park of the same name in Hounslow, Osterley Park was originally built in the 1570s but revamped in the 18th Century to serve as a place of entertainment for the Child family that resided there.  In addition to the domed ceilings and gorgeous tapestries, Osterley Park is home to ever-changing exhibits and even does itself up nice for the Christmas holiday.  The National Trust has been in charge of the house and the gardens since 1991 and opens the house on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00, though the gardens are open every day from 10:00 to dusk.  An adult ticket to get in is £10.90.

Strawberry Hill

Not to be confused with the song by John Lennon, Strawberry Hill in Twickenham London is possibly the most gorgeous London stately home both inside and out.  The 18th Century mock-gothic house was built by Horace Walpole, and his eccentric architectural style is present throughout the home, transforming it into a castle on the outside and a cathedral on the inside.  The house hosts a number of events every month from a dinner club to the Christmas Fair in November.  The house is open from 11:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and 12:00 to 16:00 on Mondays and closed for the remainder of the week.  The cost of an adult ticket is £12.50 and well worth it.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Architecture, Buildings, Featured, Guides, Londontopia Magazine

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
  • Exploring The Cosmic House in London
  • Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
  • New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
  • Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
  • The Fiver:  Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London
  • In Pictures: Winter Lights festival returns to London for first time since 2020
  • Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in