Ham House and Garden

Description

Ham House and Garden this rare and atmospheric 17th-century house sits on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. It is the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, the Duke, who together transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England.

Ham House is internationally recognised for its superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, largely brought together 400 years ago. Some of our unique objects include a rare Chinese teapot, one of the earliest and said to have been used by the Duchess herself, and an exceptional ivory cabinet.   

Price starts from £18.70 for Adults(18 years and over), £9.40 for Children(5-17 & under 5s free) and £28.10 for Family(1 adult and 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

  • Ham House: Magnificent Stuart house on the rural banks of the river Thames, containing a unique collection of cabinets and artwork.
  • Cherry Garden: Tall yew hedges containing clipped box-hedged compartments, filled with lavender, and original 17th-century statues of Bacchus.
  • The Wilderness: Hedged compartments with meandering paths and summerhouses - the perfect spot to relax and take in planted borders and tweeting birds.
  • The Plats: Bordered by gravel paths, these vast lawns are filled with a variety of seasonal accents including wildflowers, crocus, tulips and muscari.
  • Shopping: Explore our gift shop stocked with tasty treats, homewares, stationery, plants, toys and more. Visit our second-hand bookshop.
  • Family-friendly things to do at Ham House and Garden: From exploring the gardens on a booked-inspired trail to enjoying warming treats at the Orangery Café, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained this season at Ham House and Garden.
  • Things to see and do in the garden at Ham House: Ham House, on the River Thames in Richmond, is surrounded by spectacular outdoor spaces to explore, including an atmospheric 17th-century walled Kitchen Garden and maze-like Wilderness. The gardens show what historically ‘might have been’, following work in the 1970s to reinstate 17th-century character previously lost. Discover more about our seasonal highlights below.
  • Things to see and do in Ham House: Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Ham House, as it is seen today, is largely the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband the Duke in the late 17th century. Together they transformed Ham, originally built in 1610, into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England. Immerse yourself in the 17th century as you discover the richly decorated rooms.
  • Explore the landscape around Ham House and Garden: Take a walk around the River Thames landscape surrounding Ham House and Garden and explore meadows, woodland and wetlands; a green haven in Greater London.
  • This rare and atmospheric 17th-century house sits on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. It is the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, the Duke, who together transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England.
  • Ham House is internationally recognised for its superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, largely brought together 400 years ago. Some of our unique objects include a rare Chinese teapot, one of the earliest and said to have been used by the Duchess herself, and an exceptional ivory cabinet.   
  • Outside, the open and formal restored 17th-century gardens surround the house. It includes a productive kitchen garden containing many heritage crops, the maze-like ‘Wilderness’, complete with summerhouses, and many beautiful spots perfect for a picnic.
  • The historic Orangery café set in the kitchen garden serves light lunches and teas. The café is set in one of the first examples of an Orangery, however it was not an ideal building for plants to grow as the windows are small and very little light could reach the orange and lemon trees.
  • Top trails: Kingston Station to Ham House walk, Richmond Station to Ham House historic scenic walk, Historic views of Ham House walk.

Facilities

  • Parking: Free parking, 400 yards away in the council-run Ham Street Car Park, which is next to the river at the end of Ham Street. Nearby streets also offer free parking. Extremely limited Blue Badge parking available on site. To reserve a Blue Badge space, please email hamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk.
  • Food & Drinks: Last orders are 15 minutes before the café closes.
  • Toilet: Situated opposite the shop, the toilet block has an accessible toilet and baby change facilities.
  • Dogs allowed: Dogs are welcome in the garden, shop and café provided they are kept on a short lead at all times.

What to see

History of Ham House: Gifted to William Murray by King Charles I in 1626, Ham House was transformed by William and his wife Catherine, and later their daughter and heir Elizabeth. Surviving the English Civil Wars and Parliamentary rule, and home to Elizabeth and her descendants for almost three centuries, the house you see today is a rare survivor of one of the great Stuart houses.

For more upcoming events information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/ham-house-and-garden/the-history-of-ham-house

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Adult (18+): £18.70 with Gift Aid / £17.00 without Gift Aid.
  • Child (5–17), under 5s free: £9.40 with Gift Aid / £8.50 without Gift Aid.
  • Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £46.80 with Gift Aid / £42.50 without Gift Aid.
  • 1 adult, 3 children: £28.10 with Gift Aid / £25.50 without Gift Aid.

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/ham-house-and-garden#place-prices

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

  • House: By tour
  • Café: 10:00 - 15:30
  • Garden: 10:00 - 16:00
  • Shop: 10:30 - 15:30
  • Second-hand bookshop: 10:30 - 15:30
  • Last entry is 30 minutes before closing and last orders are 10 minutes before the café closes. *Access to house is by tour on weekdays in November 2025, with free flow access on weekends. To get ready for Christmas, full site is closed 27 and 28 November, and on 24 and 25 December. Please note, house closed for winter conservation from 5 January 2026 and reopening on 14 February 2026.

Address: Ham House, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond TW10 7RS, UK

Post Code: TW10 7RS

Council: Richmond upon Thames

County: Greater London

  • By road: We are located on the south bank of the River Thames, west of the A307, between Richmond and Kingston. Ham is readily accessible from the M3, M4 and M25 and Richmond Park's Ham Gate exit. If coming from Kingston, the Ham Street turning off the A307 is just before Ham Common. Follow this road for a mile to Ham House.
  • On foot: We are located on the south bank of the River Thames. The Thames Path runs close to the entrance and is located 1.5 miles from Richmond and 3 miles from Kingston. From the Thames Path, opposite Hammerton’s Ferry, walk across a small wooden bridge and follow the well-trodden path across the meadow to the front gates of Ham House and Garden, which are river-facing.
  • By train: Richmond 1½ miles by footpath, 2 miles by road. Please see bus directions for travel information from Richmond Station.
  • By bus: The 371 and 65 bus routes stop near us. Taking the 371 Richmond to Kingston, alight at the Ham Street bus stop, then follow signposts to walk the remaining ½-mile. On the 65 Ealing Broadway to Kingston, alight at the Sudbrook Lane/The Russell School bus stop on Petersham Road and walk ¾-mile along the historic avenues. Both the 371 and 65 routes stop at Richmond train station.
  • Cycling: There are bike racks available on the site, which are located inside the main gates and along from Visitor Reception.
  • Parking: Free parking, 400 yards away in the council-run Ham Street Car Park, which is next to the river at the end of Ham Street. Nearby streets also offer free parking. Extremely limited Blue Badge parking available on site. To reserve a Blue Badge space, please email hamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk.

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