The Kenwood House

Set in beautiful landscaped parkland in the midst of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House is one of the most magnificent visitor attractions in London. This elegant villa, remodelled by Robert Adam in the 18th century, houses a superb collection of paintings, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner and Gainsborough, as well as the Suffolk collection of rare Elizabethan portraits.  Don’t miss the famous Adam library with its beautiful friezes and grand colonnades . Complete your great family day out in London with lunch in the Brew House followed by a walk across the hills of Hampstead Heath. There are some fantastic views of the metropolis to take in on the way.

Kenwood contains purchases from a sale of objects from Scone Palace, the Mansfields' Scottish home. This was a rare opportunity to return Mansfield family items and furnishings of the 18th and 19th centuries to Kenwood. These include silver tableware, four chairs in the Chinese Chippendale style and a family portrait by Sir Peter Lely. The parkland surrounding Kenwood was particularly influenced by the great English landscape gardener, Humphry Repton. Set high on a hill, the views of London from these tranquil grounds are astounding.
 
The Iveagh Bequest includes important paintings by many great artists, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough. Recently they have been joined by Constable's oil sketch Hampstead Heath. The paintings beautifully complement Kenwood's sumptuous interiors and rich decoration.

Rich in sumptuous costume and textile detail, it includes magnificent full length portraits of extravagantly dressed Elizabethan and Stuart ladies and noblemen, by William Larkin, Van Dyck and Lely, as well as paintings of King Charles I and James II. A new catalogue of the collection has recently been published.

Things To Watch:

Rembrandt’s acclaimed self portrait
The extravagantly dressed ladies and gentlemen in the Suffolk Collection of paintings  
Enjoy the sound of summer with our range of picnic concerts

VISITORS INFORMATION:

Opening Times     Open daily 11.30 - 16.00 (Closed: 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan)