Strawberry Hill House is one of London’s finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Originally a modest house on the banks of the Thames at Twickenham, the property was purchased in 1749 by Horace Walpole. He was the youngest son of the first British Prime Minister and would go on to become one of the most celebrated writers of the 18th century.
Well-educated, well-travelled and well-to-do, Walpole spent the rest of his life transforming the building into his own ‘little Gothic castle’, complete with battlements, arched doorways and stained glass windows. This was a place where he could write, entertain and display his growing collection of books, art and antique curios. It was also here, in the dreamlike ‘gloomth’, that Walpole composed the first ever Gothic novel: ‘The Castle of Otranto’.
After his death in 1797, the house fell into the hands of a series of descendants, including John and George Waldegrave, who tragically sold almost all of the treasures their great-grand uncle had left behind. In fact, it wasn’t until 2004 that work began to restore Strawberry Hill House to its original condition.
Of the 20 or so rooms open to the public today, the most memorable include: the Library (with its chimneypiece inspired by the medieval tombs of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral), the staircase (notable for its carved balustrades and Gothic trompe-l’oeil wallpaper) and the Gallery (with its fan-vaulted ceiling and extraordinary array of paintings). Allow at least an hour for your visit and relax in the café and garden afterwards.
Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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.
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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.
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It was once the site of the Eel Pie Hotel, a 19th-century guesthouse turned jazz venue and now it’s been transformed into a hippie artists’ colony...
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The domed Arab Hall – a glittering chamber inspired by the inside of the Castello della Zisa in Palermo – is what most visitors come for.
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Features of particular interest include the Architectural Library, the Solar Stair, a central spiral staircase with 52 steps for each week of the year...
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Tucked away in Bermondsey, Morocco Bound does it all, it is at once a bookshop, café, co-working space, beer bar and intimate events venue.
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The Phoenix Garden is remarkably inconspicuous: a bombsite turned car park turned community garden hidden behind high hedges and wrought iron railings.
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"London Fields Lido" is for those rare days when it's actually hot and sunny. Beat the crowds, head over to this colourful pool and meet me there!
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"Caravan" London is one of my favourite restaurants for having one of my favourite meals of the day: brunch. It's easy to savour every last bit here and...
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"Chuku's" in North London serves Nigerian tapas that invites you to 'chop, chat and chill!'
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In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.
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