Ham House
 London's Royal Palaces & Attractions
with Burlington Bertie .
am House was begun in 1610 during the reign of James I, but not completed until 1675 during the reign of his grandson Charles II. The Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale, who built
Ham House
Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames TW10 7RS
Access to House: 1pm-5pm daily, 31 March-28 October. Closed Thur & Fri. School visits, functions, weddings all year round by arrangement.
Access to Garden: Daily 11am-6pm or dusk if earlier. Includes outhouses and introductory video. Shop and Cafe, 11am-5.30pm. Closed Thur & Fri.
Tickets: £9, child £5, family £22. Groups £7, child £3.50, group visits outside normal hours £9. NT members: £6. Garden only: £3, child £2, family £7. Free parking 400m (not NT). Guided tours of house and gardens available by arrangement. The NT has reciprocal visiting arrangements with Commonwealth Heritage organisations and U.S. Royal Oak Foundation on production of a current membership card. Wheelchair accessible and available.
Getting There: Nearest Tube/Rail: Richmond, (District Line and rail ex. London/Waterloo). Nearest Riverbus from Westminster: Richmond. Car: Situated between Kingston and Richmond off the A307 which connects with the A4 and M4.
 Burlington Bertie's Accommodation Choice:
Kingston Lodge Standing next to Coombe Golf Wood Course on the edge of Richmond Park, this comfortable hotel is convenient for the Thames Palaces and stately homes Ham House, Hampton Court Palace, Marble Hill House, Syon House, and nearby NT properties Osterley Park, Morden Hill Park and Claremont Landscape Garden. Runeymede and Windsor Castle are within easy distance. The hotel boasts a conservatory style brasserie with terrace overlooking a courtyard garden and lounge bar facilities.
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this palatial Thames-side residence also laid out the formal gardens. Few such English gardens survived the later vogue for landscaping ushered in by Capability Brown the following century.
Under the 'ravenous covetousness' of Ham's scheming chatelaine, the fecundly beautiful Duchess Elizabeth, the luxurious rooms were a center of Restoration court social life, dalliance and intrigue during the reign of that merry monarch Charles II. The house with its sumptuous furnishing and decor has been maintained as it was in those dissolute baroque times when the Duchess wielded political influence at the centre of the Stuart court. The Duchess may still be scheming. Many have seen her ghost walking the corridors with her dog.
The Duchess of Lauderdale, the famous Court beauty of Stuart Restoration England. |
Burlington Bertie's Verdict:
Ham House is one of London's architectural and garden glories of the Stuart era and is all too often missed by visitors deterred by the short journey from London's West End and City; an unfortunate omission. Its interior, so rich in 17th and 18th furniture, fine art and original textiles; and the gardens, now restored to the 1671 formal plan of Slezer and Wyck with comcomitant 17th century planting, are essential viewing for those interested in the fashions, court lifestyle and gardens of Stuart Restoration England during the roistering times of that merrie monarch, King Charles II. I note that the house is available for private functions and corporate functions. I can think of few more perfect settings for a glamorous wedding, reception or appropriate film location. Contact Administrative Assistant, tel. 020 8940 1950; email: hamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk, for further information.
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Top Tips
The National Trust run a varied and interesting programme of Restoration theatre, recitals, ghost, and garden tours during the summer and special events leading up to Christmas. Check the NT website for details.
Don't forget to browse in the excellent National Trust shop at Ham House. The NT are renowned for the quality of their gifts and gourmet comestibles.
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