Photo: Kelmscott House by Bernard Burns, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Kelmscott House is a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion at 26 Upper Mall in Hammersmith, built around 1785 and overlooking the River Thames.
William Morris made it his London home from 1878 to 1896, renaming it after Kelmscott Manor, his Oxfordshire retreat.
The main house remains a private residence, but its coach house now holds the William Morris Society's museum, with original textiles, wallpapers and hand-drawn designs.
Historic Houses members get free admission to the museum on production of a valid card.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The house was built around 1785 and originally known as The Retreat before Morris renamed it after Kelmscott Manor, which he had leased in Oxfordshire since 1871. During his years there he founded the Kelmscott Press nearby in 1891, and the coach house became a meeting place for the Hammersmith branch of the Socialist League. The William Morris Society now cares for the coach house and its collections as a museum.
Architecture
The main house is a Georgian brick mansion, Grade II* listed, dating from about 1785, with a separate coach house to the rear that now serves as the museum space.
Worth knowing
The coach house hosted meetings of the Hammersmith Socialist League, including membership cards designed by Walter Crane. The museum holds an Albion printing press from Morris's Kelmscott Press.
Gardens & grounds
The museum includes a small garden alongside its library, shop and printing room.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Ravenscourt Park Underground Station (0.3 miles)
Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm year-round; check official website for special closures.
Nearby properties
Chiswick House
View Chiswick House on heritage mapKensington Palace
View Kensington Palace on heritage mapKew Palace
View Kew Palace on heritage mapLindsey House, Chelsea
View Lindsey House, Chelsea on heritage mapCarlyle's House
View Carlyle's House on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Kelmscott House there are 20 historic properties, including 12 historic buildings, 5 historic houses and 2 palaces, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Kelmscott House there are 38 historic properties, including 20 historic buildings, 7 historic houses and 4 palaces, across National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Kelmscott House there are 69 historic properties, including 31 historic buildings, 19 historic houses and 4 palaces, across National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
The Thameside house where Morris lived, and a place to see a historic Kelmscott Press printing press.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Greater London, England
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