Ham House
What Visitors Say
You start out in the beautiful grounds, at this time of year full of purple crocus, and then prodceed to tour round the house. For a property that is now 400 years old, it is very well preserved and you can almost imagine sweeping down the main staircase in your fine silks and satins. There are many interesting paintings and artifacts on display and volunteers to tell you about each room. You can also visit the kitchens, which I always feel gives you a balanced view of how everyone, not just the landed gentry, lived in a house. It was very busy on the Saturday we visited and we had to queue to be served in the cafe, but once we got our scones and jam, we sat outside in the kitchen garden, which though chilly, was delightful, ax the sun decided to make an appearance.
Ham House and Gardens is a quietly magnificent slice of 17th-century England, where history feels lived-in rather than staged. The Jacobean mansion impresses with richly preserved interiors, from creaking staircases to intimate rooms layered with political intrigue. Outside, the formal gardens unfold with restraint and elegance, offering long views, scented borders, and moments of surprising calm beside the Thames. Informative signage and knowledgeable staff deepen the experience without overwhelming it. While not grand in scale, Ham rewards unhurried exploration. It is best savored slowly, especially in good weather, when house and landscape feel perfectly in dialogue, with timeless, understated grace.
I came and enjoyed a tour of the house which highlighted the conservation efforts required for the upkeep of such a historic building. The cafe had a good selection of food and drink options and the shop items were delightful. I bought a couple of the snow globes and the children loved them. Well worth a visit for half a day as you can also walk through the grounds and there are also nearby river walks. I came via train and bus to a bus stop within less then 10 minutes walk from Ham House and the return bus stop was close by on the other side of the road.
What a nice trip out on an autumn day. We started with coffee and then walked through the kitchen and formal gardens. The house is impressive from the outside, but the grounds are amazing. We'd have ventured further if it had been a dry day. We were booked on the weekday conservation tour. We got our tickets at the gate, but the tour was full, so it might be worth booking in advance if that's possible. It was fascinating, and just the right length to set us up for a delicious lunch in the cafe.
Ham House in a lovely spot near the Thames in Richmond. Having watched a number of productions on TV (sense and sensibility and Taboo to name but a few) which this has been featured. Visited 16/6/25 on a lovely summers day. Beautiful house and garden. There is parking a short walk away by the river, they seemed to cater for disabled parking on site. A nice walled garden at the rear with a nice cafe.
Highlights
Great Stair & Hall
Stage-set entrance for a power coupleProcessional stairs, portraits and polished timber announce status before a word is spoken.
Ground floor, central range
Green Closet
A jewel-box of 1600s connoisseurshipTiny space, huge taste: lacquer, miniatures and cabinet pictures show collecting as a courtly sport.
First floor, private rooms
The Duchess’s Apartments
Rooms shaped by one of the era’s shrewdest operatorsElizabeth, Duchess of Lauderdale, refitted these rooms to receive—and to negotiate.
First floor, river front
Cherry Garden & Wilderness
Restoration geometry outdoorsHedges, sculpture and scented planting restore a 1600s idea of pleasure and control.
South of the house, formal grounds
Ice House & Below Stairs
Luxury runs on logisticsFood, fuel and frozen treats: vaults and service rooms show the hidden engine of grand living.
Gardens and service areas
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Ham House is regarded as “one of the most complete survival[s] of 17th-century power and fashion in Europe,” retaining an unusual amount of original interiors and collections.
The estate belonged to William Murray—childhood companion of Charles I—who secured Ham in 1626; later, the formidable Duchess of Lauderdale reshaped it into a statement of clout.
The formal gardens you walk today revive 17th-century layouts—think scented cherries, tight hedges and theatrical axes restored from historic plans.
Ham’s reputation as “haunted” centres on rooms associated with the Duchess—guides will tell you where the stories cluster.
The rare survival isn’t luck alone—20th-century transfers placed Ham under guardianship so its 1600s character stayed together rather than being dispersed.
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