The Carlyle’s House
London is the heart and soul of historic and modern Britain. Coined as the “World in one City”, London is known for its spicy melting pot of world culture. There will not be a single dull moment during the London visit because of the excellent historic London places and modern London attractions. The Carlyles' home in Cheyne Row was built in 1708, one of a terrace close to the River Thames named after the owner of the site, Lord Cheyne. The houses were originally two storeys high, plus a semi-basement for kitchens and offices, although many have since been extended or altered.
It was on June 10 1834, that the Carlyles moved into number 24, then number 5, Cheyne Row, after a protracted search across London. Chelsea was widely considered unfashionable, but the Carlyles were delighted with the space and quality of their chosen home. 'On the whole a most massive, roomy, sufficient old house with places, for example, to hang, say, three dozen hats or cloaks,' enthused Carlyle.
After Carlyle's death, the house continued to be rented out and was left largely untouched over the next 14 years. Efforts began to preserve the house and in May 1895, the freehold of the house was purchased by public subscription and the Carlyle's House Memorial Trust formed to administer the property. The house was opened to the public the following July and in 1936 the house was transferred to the National Trust, which is now responsible for its upkeep. The best way to see the sights and sounds of London are through the London guided tour or the coach tours London.
The Carlyle's Garden:
While the original plants may not have survived, work is going on to re-establish the beds with the plants and flowers that the Carlyles enjoyed, including many of the shrubs chosen by Jane and detailed in both of their letters.
Below are extracts from Thea Holme’s book 'The Carlyle’s at Home'. The book, which was written in 1965, describes the Carlyles’ domestic life at 24 Cheyne Row through the Carlyles’ many letters.
'…the garden at Cheyne Row was a typical town garden - an oblong patch, 79 feet by 20 feet, surrounded by high brick walls.'
'There was little sentimentality in Jane's nature, but what there was expressed itself in her garden. She tried to fill it with flowers that reminded her of Scotland and of the places and people she loved.'
'When she returned to London she brought with her a nettle, uprooted from Mrs. Welsh's grave in Crawford church-yard, and a 'little thing with two tiny leaves' which she found growing on her father's grave in Haddington. These were duly planted in the garden and tended with loving care; and in time the 'little green thing' proved to be a gooseberry plant. 'Oh! Be kind to Nero, and slightly attentive to the canaries, and my poor little nettle and gooseberry bush,' she begged Carlyle, eight years later.'
Whether you take it as a London weekend tour, small London city break, London day tours or long London holidays – you will definitely fall in love with London at first sight.