Strawberry Hill
What Visitors Say
Despite working in Twickenham for years, I've never visited this place before. I put that right on Friday. What a wonderful place! We were introduced to the house in the original entrance hall by Nigel, an extremely knowledgeable and entertaining volunteer, and then toured round the rest of the property. Every room was a delight and all the volunteers had interesting information about each area of the house. I loved the 20th century "Egyptian" ceiling in one bedroom and the original flocked wallpaper in another but, my goodness, the Gallery! What a breathtaking example of gothic interior design. It was truly fabulous. Along with the beautiful paintings and furniture, fireplaces and ceiling details, the restoration of this house has really given the visitor a taste of what it might have been like to live in a grand and fashionable house in the 18th century. We also had a very tasty toasted sandwich in the bright and airy cafe and a wander round the garden.
A wonderfully eccentric Gothic revival house that feels more like a storybook castle than a typical stately home. Strawberry Hill House was Horace Walpole’s creation, gradually built and expanded between 1747–1776 - which explains why it’s deliberately unsymmetrical and slightly rambling in layout. You simply amble from room to room rather than following a rigid route. Highlights include the stunning Library (inspired by Old St Paul’s Cathedral and completed in 1754), the dramatic Gallery built for entertaining, and beautiful painted and stained glass throughout (including 15th–16th century Flemish panels). Some rooms are quite sparse due to historic sales of contents, but there’s good signage and knowledgeable volunteers on hand to bring it to life. You can comfortably see it in 45–60 minutes. The house has had an eventful life - from Walpole’s time through major sales before reopening to the public in 2010 - but the focus today feels accessible rather than overly academic. Nice café on site with indoor and outdoor seating, serving hot drinks, cakes, ice cream and light meals. Toilets available near the cafe, as well as a small shop.
Strawberry Hill House is a stunning spot with gorgeous gardens, but don't go expecting a massive estate, it's cozy and packed with charm. You'll find tons of rooms brimming with fascinating history, plus some seriously cool treasures. The founder, Horace Walpole, even penned the world's first Gothic novel right here! If you're into Gothic lit or just love a good book, this is a must-visit. Overall, it's an awesome hangout with a cozy cafe serving up tasty cakes, great coffee, and teas.
We visited Strawberry Hill House and absolutely loved it. The tour was fascinating, the rooms were stunning, and the entire place felt magical. The staff were kind and very knowledgeable, which made the visit even more special. The garden is beautiful and peaceful with a lovely photo spot that made our visit even more memorable. The unique architecture, the atmosphere of the house and the charming outdoor space created a wonderful experience. We truly enjoyed every moment and would happily recommend Strawberry Hill House to anyone who loves history, beauty and a relaxing day out.
Lovelyplace, it's definitely worth visiting this place. There is free parking but it is slightly limited. The glass windows are very special as are some of the fireplaces. The architecture is very unique, i was very surprised by it. It was raining when we were there so didn't look around the gardens. The cafe was very reasonable, the food was lovely.
Highlights
The Gallery
Icon of early Gothic Revival interiorsIts glittering, gilded ‘fan vault’ isn’t stone at all—papier-mâché and wood painted to dazzle on a budget.
First floor, east range
The Tribune
Walpole’s private ‘treasury’An octagon inspired by Renaissance studioli, built to display prized curios—prototype ‘cabinet of curiosities’ vibes.
First floor, octagonal room off the Gallery
The Stair & Hall Sequence
Cinematic movement through spacePointed arches, light-wells and sudden reveals turn an ordinary stair into a piece of theatre.
Ground to first floor
Garden Circuit
Picturesque framing for façadesPlanting and path curves were designed to ‘edit’ the house—one façade at a time like turning pages.
Lawn and shrubbery around the house
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Walpole coined the word “serendipity” in a 1754 letter—written while living at Strawberry Hill.
His DIY ‘Gothic’ was intentionally theatrical: many ‘stone’ details are lightweight plaster and papier-mâché.
In 1842 a month-long ‘Great Sale’ dispersed the house’s treasures; recent shows have reunited some pieces temporarily.
