Kenwood House London

House on the Heath

Peter from London

About me I’m an American guy living and loving London. I moved here to study but fell in love with the city and stayed. Aside from exploring new corners of the city, I enjoy theatre, exploring second-hand bookshops, rugby (and a bit of Quidditch). I am a keen traveller (42 countries and counting). However, no matter what exotic locale I am visiting, after a few days...
""Kenwood House" in London's Hampstead Heath is a stately home open for the entire public. My favourite places there are the library and the expansive lawns"

A mere 15 minute Tube ride from the energy of central London, Hampstead Heath sits as a tranquil oasis in north London. Not only does the heath boast of swimming ponds, dense woods and plenty of paths for joggers and dog-walkers to enjoy, it also holds a stately home open for the entire public - free of charge!

Kenwood House recently went through an extensive renovation project. Previously it felt a bit worn and a tad unloved, but now the house is back to its glorious grandeur. Visitors can admire the majestic rooms and sumptuous decor with plenty of English Heritage staff to provide answers to your questions. If you're not careful, you may miss out on some of the outstanding works of art, including a Rembrandt self-portrait and Vermeer's 'The Guitar Player'.

My favourite room of Kenwood House is the library. It's everything what I imagine my ideal library to be - full of leather bound books, stunning paintings and plenty of light. I also enjoy the expansive lawns behind the house - perfect for a lazy picnic with friends.

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
017-plant-1
Relaxing

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

London Spotter Peter

About me I’m an American guy living and loving London. I moved here to study but fell in love with the city and stayed. Aside from exploring new corners of the city, I enjoy theatre, exploring second-hand bookshops, rugby (and a bit of Quidditch). I am a keen traveller (42 countries and counting). However, no matter what exotic locale I am visiting, after a few days I long to be back in London to walk amongst its parks, browse its bookshelves and eat its eclectic foods. Why London? Growing up in the US, London always seemed like a fantasy city...

About this spot

Hampstead Ln,

£

free

2083481286

Oct 3, 2025

Our London City Guide

Find your way with 271 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Italo Delicatessen

Quiet oasis in noisy Vauxhall

The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

Di Lieto

A true Neopolitan family deli

From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

The Black Dog

Park pub perfection

Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Vauxhall's chill space

Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

The Dog House

Footy, friends and feels

From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

The Prince of Wales

Boule and birdsong, anyone?

Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

The Crown & Cushion

Made like they used to

The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

Pierre Victoire

French fare at a fair price

With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

The Toucan

Soho's Guinness godfather

With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Oct 31, 2025

ByMax

Community Haven

ByMax near Acton Main Line serves exceptional breakfast including fresh pastries, homemade sandwiches and a cozy, elegant atmosphere you’ll want to return to.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Helena

Homsi

Oct 30, 2025

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

A tiny urban jungle

Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Oct 29, 2025

Sutton House

Hackney’s hidden Tudor gem

Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Oct 29, 2025

Heading to London?

271 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

London app Home
London app Home
London app Map
London app Home

Heading to London?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

271 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
19
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters