Kenwood House

Visiting Kenwood House for the first time was an absolute delight. Nestled on the edge of Hampstead Heath, this stately home offers a serene escape from the city's hustle. The house itself is a masterpiece, boasting a stunning neoclassical design by Robert Adam. Inside, I was captivated by the impressive art collection, featuring works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Gainsborough. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the experience with fascinating insights. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained, perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnic. Best of all, entry is free, making it an accessible cultural treasure. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Kenwood House is a must-visit.

Beautiful place to visit. The gardens are magnificent with access to the heath, the cafe has a wide selection: some delicious salads, pies, and even vegan sausage rolls to enjoy in a lovely courtyard. The house itself feels somewhat underwhelming with a backdrop of such gorgeous nature outside, and the way the art is arranged makes it difficult to appreciate it.

A lovely gallery of paintings, beautiful furniture, antique vasestatues, with a amazing garden and a gift shop. It's We'll worth the visit and the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable. Also some beautiful architecture to see. I would recommend booking in advance though even though it is free to visit and even if you have been there before it is still worth going for a walk in garden with a lovely lake and a cafe or two near by. It is also a great place if you want to volunteer and you got some spare time.

Kenwood House: Pretty but Puzzling Kenwood House sits nobly atop the heath, luring you in like a promise of grandeur. But step inside, and you find not a museum, but the quiet parlour of a stranger. Portraits abound—lovely, elegant—but with little to say. Beauty without story. A house frozen in time, where you feel less like a visitor and more like an intruder. It is not knowledge it offers, but ornament. A gallery of faces with names unspoken. Still, do not miss the library room—genuinely stunning, like stepping into a painting that finally speaks. Note: Last entry is 4:30pm sharp. No exceptions. In short: Charming, silent, and somewhat soulless. Go for the aesthetics, not the insight.

What a fabulous place to visit. We walked across the heath which heightened our expectations. Took us about half a hour from hampstead heath Station. Suddenly you're in the countryside! The building itself is magnificent, so much to look and see. A big shout out to the wonderful volunteers who give up their time to impart their wisdom to us lucky tourists. They were all so genuinely lovely and friendly but oh so knowledgeable. This incredible house is without doubt one of the most amazing places to visit for anyone seeking history, geography, art. ...Oh and the cake with coffee was a delight.

Simply the most enchanting estate to visit in London. I’ve lived 10 years in London and I had yet to discover this majestic manor: nestled above Hampstead Heath, makes for the most peaceful part of this great park. This house is an outstanding example of preservation and granted public access done beautifully. Don’t miss the beautiful paintings and the cavernous architecture of the library.

Kenwood House is absolutely stunning—a historic stately home, not just beautiful to look at, it’s full of fascinating stories and world-class art—and best of all, it’s completely free to visit. The house itself is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture, redesigned in the 18th century by Robert Adam. Walking through the grand rooms feels like stepping back in time, especially the incredible library and the beautifully restored interiors. What really makes Kenwood special is its deep historical significance. It was once home to Lord Mansfield, a key figure in British legal history who made important rulings against slavery. Later, it was gifted to the public by the Guinness family, and it’s been free to enjoy ever since. The art collection blew me away—Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, Turner—you name it. These aren’t just minor works, either; they’re major pieces displayed in a peaceful, intimate setting. The gardens are lovely and blend seamlessly into Hampstead Heath. It’s a perfect spot for a quiet walk, a family picnic, or just some time to soak in the surroundings. I also love that there are often cultural events and concerts here in the summer. Highly recommend for anyone interested in history, art, or just looking for a serene and inspiring corner of London. Total hidden gem.

Beautiful place. Unfortunately didn’t get to go inside as last entry was 16:30 and we arrived at 16:35 but the walk to and around the house is absolutely beautiful. The cafe is also very cute and a really nice place to sit and have a drink to break up walking :)

Kenwood House is absolutely beautiful. You'll recognise it from the movie "Notting Hill", unless you haven't seen the movie. But it's a great place to visit, with exquisite architecture, beautiful design, and has one of the most beautiful views in London. The outdoor cafe is nice but busy, so get there early!

Lovely old mansion, with a trove of of artwork and a cafe. Several beautiful Turners are on display inside, as is a self-portrait of Rembrandt (Self-Portrait with Two Circles). The restaurant has a wide selection of hot and cold food, and plenty of outdoor seating in the garden. The food is simple and mostly fresh. The exception was that the roasted vegetables included previously-frozen cauliflower and broccoli, but they weren't overcooked, and they weren't microwaved. There's also a separate cafe.

Kenwood house (English Heritage) is a fantastically beautiful white country house, which is probably the most beautiful in London. The parkland that surrounds the house is beautiful, and at the bottom of the hill you will find a stage with a small stand for seating. During the summer months you can buy tickets for a classical concert, or alternatively, bring a blanket, lay it next to the small lake and listen from there, as hundreds do and listen for free. As for the house itself, it was bought by the great brewing magnet, someone I owe a huge thank you to, Edward Cecil Guinness, first Earl of Iveagh. He bought Kenwood House in 1925 and thanks to him, you can admire masterpieces by Rembrandt and Turner and so many more. After walking through the great, well kept parklands, seeing the views of London and visiting the wonderful picturesque country house, you may fancy a bite to eat, and set just beside the country house is a restaurant where you can have a nice posh meal or visit the canteen and get a sandwich or an ice cream. On a summer's day, the whole park is packed with people, sunbathing, taking the dog for a walk, having picnics and so on.

Kenwood House, an impressive former stately home now being maintained by English Heritage, is well worth a visit once you have exploited the more obvious London attractions. The website describes Kenwood House as follows: "Set on the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens, Kenwood is one of London's hidden gems. The House, its breathtaking interiors and stunning art collection are free for everyone to enjoy. Discover the vast array of masterpieces hanging in this grand setting, including Rembrandt's self portrait, and be awed by the breathtaking beauty of architect Robert Adam's library. Kenwood's beauty lies on offering something for everyone, from crafts and children's trails to a world class art collection, a cafe to relax and unwind in and acres of grounds to stretch your legs - come and see what Kenwood has to offer you." (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenwood/) All of that is correct. The interior design is indeed stunning, some historic furniture included - and there are many paintings for art lovers to enjoy (some minor masterpieces - not always ideally presented for the viewer), and the gardens are beautiful for a Sunday walk. There is a lovely café with inside and outside seating. You can visit either by car, or take the underground and bus. From central London the latter takes about 45 minutes. There are guided tours of the house. The visit to Kenwood House is free of charge. Recommended as a secondary London attraction. If you have time for only one stately home, visit The Wallace Collection in central London instead.

Visiting Kenwood House was something of a last-minute decision. My daughter had a friend for a Saturday sleepover and we needed to kill a Sunday morning with two teenagers. The night before we'd watched the movie Belle, and I happened to do what I always do when I read or watch something based on true events: I submerged myself in Wikipedia. One click led to another and I ended up on Kenwood House's Wikipedia page. I was sold when I saw it housed a Vermeer, a Rembrandt, and the famous painting of Dido Belle herself. From South London we were a good hour and a half in the car, and on arrival parking was an absolute pain in the tukus. Kenwood House has it (for a fee), but forget about finding a spot. It's a tiny, tiny parking lot. After driving up and down Hampstead Lane and its side streets for about 30 minutes, we finally found a place to park. We forgot about the parking trouble the moment we entered the estate. IT'S SPECTACULAR. The grounds are sprawling and fantastic, with a pond and grass that goes on forever. Children feeding ducks, couples walking dogs, babies taking naps on the lawn. Why didn't we bring a picnic?! The house itself is beyond description, with enough to wander through to make the trip worthwhile, but not so much that a pair of teenage girls get bored by it all. It's a bit dark inside but I understand that has a lot to do with an authentic ambiance and a need to protect its rare and treasured art collection. My heart tickled a little when I found my Vermeer and Dido painting. The Rembrandt self-portrait was just kind of icing on an already delicious cake. The best part was that this is an English Heritage property with free entry and access to the grounds. I would imagine in the summer the place would be crawling with families, but I think that adds to the beauty and accessibility of the estate. There's no question we'll return on another warm day with a picnic hamper in tow.

Beautiful! Like seriously. And you should have heard my surprise when I realised it was the house from a scene in Notting Hill. J'aime beaucoup, fa real. It's like a little secret among locales. It was filled with families and kids and football. I loved it for it's hidden aspect. Not too touristy, warm weather, lots of space. It's a bit far for me who lives in Central, but worth the trip.

This English Heritage stately home and grounds near Hampstead Heath are an absolute favourite of Londoners and tourists alike. It has recently been restored, and is definitely worth a visit if you are into pretty architecture, history, paintings or just walking your pooch in the fresh air near the Heath. One of the most notable occupants of the house was the Earl of Mansfield who was a big judge in the 18th century, who made landmark rulings against slavery. You can see his portrait as you go in. There's a beautiful library to look at. Plus jewellery collections. And tonnes of paintings. It is mostly set up as a gallery I would say. I think I'd like to come again with a sketch book. The Dutch room in particular has a Rembrandt self portrait, but there is also a Turner, Gainsborough and Van Dyck to boot in the house. The paintings were all collected by Edward Cecil Guinness, of the Guinness beer family, who decided to bequeath the whole house and collection to the nation free of charge (yay - not only is it full of iron, but it also full of free art). The staff are amazingly helpful - there are plenty of them around and they are extremely friendly and happy to take questions. The only downer is the cafe - which has loooooong lines on a weekend, and is pretty pricey. But I'd still queue up, because after experiencing some of England's history, you need to top if off with English tea.

This house is located in the most extravagant part of London - Hampstead where people have heated driveways, guards for security and secure gates for their massive homes and houses sell for 120 million pounds. Kenwood house is a location for displaying art, has a nice cafe, and a nice short walking track (saw a few joggers). A scene from Notting hill was shot here where Julia Roberts told her friend that hugh Grant is only a friend. Gorgeous views from the city can also be seen from atop the hill. Free entry and dog friendly. Open on xmas day.

Hubbie and I went here after another un-British sunny day in a row. Not wanting to miss out of the lovely weather we walked here from our flat and didn't regret it. Upon arriving all I wanted to do was skip all around the grounds and roll down the grassy hills. The open green space brings out the kid in you. The Kenwood House is gorgeous and air-conditioned so it was nice to nip in and look at the art work while cooling off. This house is home to a famous Van Gogh and a lot of belt and shoe buckles. No, really. Definitely take some time and take a look at them. Amazing buckles. I am determined to get a cute vintage picnic set, a beautiful 60s dress (with crinoline) and enjoy the weather at Kenwood. That is assuming that summer is here to stay and we will get another long spell of sunny warm days. Oh! Get there when it opens because otherwise you won't get to find a nice spot easily. And less kids to walk over.

I didn't realise this house was more of an art gallery than a representation of home life back when it was in use. If I had, I'm not sure I would have been so excited to see it. But the architecture is stunning - the library alone is worth a visit - and, as it's free to enter, there's no complaints from me on the price! If you're there with kids, I noticed two rooms with educational toys and activities set up, including doll houses and other hands-on goodness. I was a bit disappointed in the way certain rooms were set up - the Old Kitchen, for example, has the kitchen utensils and old cooking materials set up along the walls, but the room itself is filled with tables for people to sit and drink coffee purchased from next door (which, by the way, closes promptly an hour before the house itself does!). I would have liked to see the kitchen set up more in a re-enactment of what it actually looked like when in use. Same with the rest. The library was my favourite though, because it at least had a lot of the old furniture still there. If you're interested in art, this is a great collection. There's also a collection of miniatures and of objects like shoe buckles, which do help provide a slightly more in-depth look in at the trends of the times. The grounds were definitely a highlight for me, and I can't wait to come back when the trees aren't so bare - in hindsight, a January stroll around the gardens is probably not ideal. It's not something I'd recommend going out of the way to visit, but it is something I'd recommend if you're in the neighborhood.

I'm not in the habit of going to stately homes, and it's not really my thing. I got dragged round too many of them as a kid. But when I found myself here in the middle of a run it seemed churlish not to go in, especially as it's free. First the outside space: there's a café and some nice toilets down one end. I didn't use the café, but it looked nice. Inside the house there's a couple of bits I especially remember. There's a big room downstairs with some amazing paintings on the ceiling. Actually they were way too 'romantic' in style for my tastes, but still impressive. They were also a bit mysterious until I got the trick of this place: they have laminated cards outside the doors of the rooms with all the information on them. So you have to borrow one of those rather than read notices as you go round. Upstairs they've got several rooms full of old master portraits, many of which you'll have seen. It's interesting how many are not as detailed as you may have thought from seeing them on TV and in books. They trick the eye. Very clever that. I've got to admit to really preferring some lovely bits of furniture they've got up there. When I was there they also had a black history exhibition that was very interesting. So, though not really my thing, I did enjoy my visit. If it is your thing, I'd recommend it. If not, and you are passing, why not?

Kenwood House and the surrounds are simply beautiful. The house is stunning and the renovations they have done over the past year or so has really made a huge difference. What an incredible house with such a vast and varied history. Each room has a story to tell as well as each portrait. I particularly love the portrait of Dido Belle and Elizabeth even though it is only a replica. There are two floors to explore so certainly take your time going through each room. Oh and it's free so even better for the budget conscious traveller! The cafe nearby is wonderful with excellent food and it's so nice to be able to sit outside on a sunny day. Alternatively the vast lawns are perfect for a picnic! It's my new favourite place in London!

An amazing old house full of interesting art, furnishings and old architecture. The best thing about Kenwood House is the volunteers in each room that tell you about the room you are in. They are full of information, very friendly and chatty and many of them use the opportunity to improve their English language skills. I had a great time visiting. Plus, its free!

A great London freebie! Although Kenwood House is looking a little tired inside, the remnants of an past age is still enough to enjoy. The paintings alone make the trip worth while. Oustide the house really comes in to its own with beautiful settings at set at the north end of Hampstead Heath. A steep bank falls down to the lake where people can sit and take in the sun, the weather and the views. The grounds were smart and tidy and the staff very helpful. There is also catering although we didn't experience these, a small shop for momentos and toilets. Fantastic way to while away 2 hours in London!

Looking from the outside at this white stately home in need of a paint job, you could never guess at the treasures kept inside. I used to visit the adjacent park for years, before setting foot in the house itself on one rainy Saturday morning. I was amazed to find Vermeer's Guitar Player, as well as Rembrandt's Self Portrait hanging on the walls inside. There are many other magnificent paintings on a display as a part of permanent exhibition, and the best thing is that entry is completely free! That is one of the reasons I love London. What other city in the world would make such great works of art accessible to everyone? Kenwood House is situated in Hampstead area of north London. It is surrounded by green open space featuring landscaped gardens, sculptures (Henry Moore, amongst others), lakes as well as large woodland area, perfect for exploring on a nice summer day.

Kenwood House is a magnificent house set in acres of peaceful parklands with sweeping and majestic views of London.The house has amongst its splendid interiors the wonderful Iveagh bequest of paintings.

A must see visit! A day trip of taking in all the beautiful paintings and antiques of the Kenwood house. A Self portrait of Rembrandt is a treat! As well as other famous artists!

I went here a couple of weekends ago and to be honest, I probably didn't catch the best time to see the building in all it's glory as it was undergoing renovation works. Nevertheless, I had a very enjoyable time there especially walking across Hampstead Heath to get to it and afterwards, as it is close to many other interesting sights. There was a photography exhibition on by a local photographer, which was very interesting especially if you look at pictures of London then and compare them to now. The building itself is of course, beautiful and it is a shame you don't have access to some of the places you know would have a great view but I think it is a wonderful place to look at, pace around in and enjoy.

I've been visiting Kenwood for years and it never fails to make me smile. Set in it's own fenced area of Hampstead Heath, overlooking ponds and playing host to a series of summer concerts. The old brewery of the house has been converted into a restaurant with a walled patio outside to sit and enjoy your food. Pay a small donation and you can take a walk around the inside of the house and see Robert Adam's famous library interior and the icing on the cake, the paintings of the Iveagh Collection. Unexpected are those who have turned out to deck the walls- Turner, Gainsborough, Frans Hals, Joshua Reynolds and last but by no means least and most especially wonderful, a Rembrandt self portrait. This has to be one of London's best kept secrets and the scene for one of the nicest afternoons you can spend pretending you are in the English country side.

Kenwood House is set in a leafy part of Fashionable Hampstead from where you can get a panoramice view over London and feel superior. But if you turn around and go inside, you'll encounter an enviable art collection that shouldn't be missed. Kenwood House was remodelled for Lord Mansfield by the great Robert Adam. Within hangs the Iveagh Bequest of paintings, including masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrant, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough, as well as the Suffolk Collection's magnificent portraits of Elizabethan and Stuart characters. It's a pretty stunning collection all in all and in an incredible setting, and all free, free, free! Excellent.

If you're not from London, come here. THE greatest Rembrandt self portrait in existence. If you don't agree, leave; it's free anyway. Go out and enjoy Hampstead Heath. If you don't enjoy that, seek help