Photo: Steve Cadman from London, U.K. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
2 Willow Road is a Grade II* listed historic building in London Borough of Camden, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About 2 Willow Road
Ernő Goldfinger completed 2 Willow Road in 1939, the centre house of a terrace of three he designed in Hampstead.
It is a Modernist home built from reinforced concrete, steel and glass, a striking contrast to the Victorian streets around it.
The National Trust has managed the house since 1995, one of the first twentieth-century buildings it acquired.
Visits run as guided tours in the morning, with self-guided access in the afternoon.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of 2 Willow Road
Goldfinger lived at number 2 with his wife Ursula Blackwell, an heiress, and their children until his death in 1987. Ursula remained there until 1995, when the house passed to the National Trust along with much of its original furniture and the couple's art collection. The acquisition was unusual for a Trust then far better known for stately homes than twentieth-century architecture.
Architecture of 2 Willow Road
The house forms part of a three-house terrace built in the International Modernist style, using reinforced concrete and steel-framed windows. A distinctive cantilevered spiral staircase is a notable feature. Goldfinger designed much of the built-in furniture and fittings himself, and many of these survive unaltered.
Worth knowing
Goldfinger's own home is said to have inspired his most famous namesake: Ian Fleming is thought to have named his Bond villain Goldfinger after the architect, reportedly irritated by Goldfinger's demolition of nearby Victorian cottages to build the terrace.
Facilities
Plan your visit to 2 Willow Road
Address: NW3 1TH
Nearest station: Hampstead Heath Rail Station (0.4 miles)
Visits run as guided tours in the morning, with self-guided access in the afternoon; check the National Trust website for current opening times and dates.
Places to visit near 2 Willow Road
Fenton House
View Fenton House on heritage mapThe Foundling Museum
View The Foundling Museum on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of 2 Willow Road (NW3) there are 17 historic properties, including 7 historic buildings, 4 historic houses and 3 museums, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and Historic Royal Palaces sites.
Within 10 miles of 2 Willow Road (NW3) there are 39 historic properties, including 18 historic buildings, 10 historic houses and 4 palaces, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of 2 Willow Road (NW3) there are 71 historic properties, including 30 historic buildings, 21 historic houses and 5 palaces, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near 2 Willow Road.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
A concrete and glass experiment among Hampstead's Victorian terraces, by the architect said to have inspired Bond's Goldfinger.
- Type
- historic building
- Location
- London Borough of Camden, England
More stories like this, every week
Get Hidden Britain, our free weekly letter from Rob and Ali. Remarkable historic places, the stories behind them, and ideas for your next day out.
Read the latest letter first →