Kenwood House

Kenwood House is a Grade I listed museum in Greater London, cared for by English Heritage. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Kenwood House

Kenwood House stands on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath in London, a stately home turned public art museum.

Robert Adam remodelled the original 17th-century house between 1764 and 1779 for William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, giving it its elegant neoclassical façade.

English Heritage manages the property today, and entry is free.

The house holds the Iveagh Bequest, a collection of paintings including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Gainsborough.

History of Kenwood House

The house dates from the late 17th century but owes its present appearance to Robert Adam's remodelling between 1764 and 1779 for Lord Mansfield. Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, bought the house and grounds from the 6th Earl of Mansfield in 1925 and gave it to the nation in 1927, bringing with it his own art collection. The house was opened to the public in 1928, and later passed into the care of English Heritage.

Architecture of Kenwood House

Robert Adam's 18th-century remodelling gave the house its neoclassical character, most visible in the library and the refined symmetry of the garden front.

Worth knowing

The Mansfield household at Kenwood included Dido Elizabeth Belle, a member of Lord Mansfield's family. The house has also appeared as a filming location for period dramas.

Gardens & grounds at Kenwood House

The grounds run down to a lake and have long hosted open-air summer concerts on the lawn.

Facilities

Café Toilets Shop

Plan your visit to Kenwood House

Prices & opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Highgate Underground Station (1 miles)

Places to visit near Kenwood House

2 Willow Road

historic building 0.8 miles

View 2 Willow Road on heritage map

Fenton House

historic building 1.0 miles

View Fenton House on heritage map

Charles Dickens Museum

historic house 3.9 miles

Visit Charles Dickens Museum View Charles Dickens Museum on heritage map

Old St Andrew's Church

church 4.0 miles

View Old St Andrew's Church on heritage map

Handel Hendrix House

historic house 4.1 miles

Visit Handel Hendrix House View Handel Hendrix House on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Kenwood House (NW3) there are 14 historic properties, including 6 historic buildings and 4 historic houses, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and National Trust sites.

5 Historic Houses

3 English Heritage

3 National Trust

2 Historic Royal Palaces

1 Churches Conservation Trust

6 Historic building

4 Historic house

1 Church

1 Archaeological site

1 Museum

1 Palace

See these 14 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Kenwood House (NW3) there are 36 historic properties, including 17 historic buildings, 9 historic houses and 4 palaces, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.

10 English Heritage

10 Historic Houses

10 National Trust

4 Historic Royal Palaces

1 Churches Conservation Trust

17 Historic building

9 Historic house

4 Palace

2 Museum

1 Archaeological site

1 Castle

1 Church

1 Manor house

See these 36 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Kenwood House (NW3) there are 72 historic properties, including 31 historic buildings, 22 historic houses and 5 palaces, across Historic Houses, National Trust and English Heritage sites.

22 Historic Houses

20 National Trust

19 English Heritage

5 Historic Royal Palaces

4 Churches Conservation Trust

31 Historic building

22 Historic house

5 Palace

4 Church

2 Manor house

2 Archaeological site

2 Garden