Kenwood House

Kenwood House stands on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath in London, a grand 17th-century mansion remodelled in the 18th century by Robert Adam for the Earl of Mansfield. The estate once belonged to William Murray, Lord Chief Justice, who commissioned Adam to redesign the interior and add the famous library. In 1925, Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, purchased the house and grounds, later bequeathing them to the nation. The house sits just south of Hampstead Lane, within the London Borough of Camden, with part of the estate extending into Haringey. The house is worth the journey for its remarkable art collection and architectural history. It holds 63 Old Master paintings, including works by Vermeer and Rembrandt, donated by Iveagh as the Iveagh Bequest. The building itself reflects Adam’s skill, with his library and Ionic portico among the most admired features. The estate also witnessed historic events, such as the Gordon Riots in 1780, when rioters targeted the house before cavalry arrived to protect it. Later, King George III and William IV visited, adding royal significance to its past. Visitors find elegant interiors restored to Adam’s original designs, including the library and dining room added by George Saunders. The gardens blend formal layouts with wild woodland, designed partly by Humphry Repton, and feature sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. A nearby lake once hosted summer concerts until they moved to the Pasture Ground, where eight limited events now take place. Ancient woodlands cover a third of the estate, home to rare bats and birds, offering peaceful walks beside the Heath.