Kenwood House

08/03/2025

Today we’re highlighting Sargent’s beguiling portrait of Jessie Wilton Phipps.🎨 Mrs Phipps was a tireless public servant who earned her own damehood. From 16 May you can discover her compelling story at our exhibition ‘Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits’.

Tickets go on sale today, just in time for International Women’s Day! 🥳👉 https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/kenwood-heiress-exhibition-16-may--5-oct-2025/

04/03/2025

The surprise call of ‘ha,ha!’ is how this landscape feature came to be known. Originally described in 1709 by Dezalier d’Argenville in his ‘La Theorie et la Practique du Jardinage.’
The haha was designed to create an optical illusion from a distance as it enables the views of the landscape to be enjoyed without interruption to the eye. Only when you get close to the concealed ditch are you aware of the boundary. The Kenwood haha has been cleared of the overgrowth and would have been used to keep the grazing cattle away from the dairy.

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine's Day! We'd love to hear if you have any romantic memories of Kenwood in the comments 💕⬇️

12/02/2025

It's almost Feb Half Term! 🥳 Enjoy a FREE day out at Kenwood. Explore the house and grounds before relaxing in our cafe! ☕🍰 👉 https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/

08/02/2025

1 week to go until Feb Half Term! 🥳 Come along to Kenwood and discover the house - it's FREE to enter!
Then take a stroll in our beautiful grounds before relaxing in the cafe ☕ The perfect day out! 👉 https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/

05/02/2025

Did you know that Snowdrops have proteins which prevent ice crystals forming and these protect the plant from damage in the freezing weather?
Galantamine, used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, was first isolated from the snowdrop. They also play a part during Candlemas Day (2nd Feb) when the flowers would be brought into churches, which is why church yards are often filled with snowdrops.
Come for a stroll through the Kenwood estate and see our lovely snowdrops this February.

01/02/2025

Planning your Feb Half Term days out? Come along to Kenwood and discover the house - it's FREE to enter! 👉 https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/

21/01/2025

We're looking forward to our fascinating exhibition later this year; 'Heiress: Sargent's American Portraits.' Stay tuned for more information and tickets! 👀 ⬇️

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/kenwood-heiress-exhibition-16-may--5-oct-2025/

17/01/2025

Join us at Kenwood this weekend!
🌳 Stroll in the gardens and park
🎨 Discover the artwork in the house
📚 Shop in our secondhand bookshop
☕ Relax in the cafe

15/01/2025

Due to Conservation works, the Dining Room is closed today, Wednesday 15th January. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to your visit.

10/01/2025

The Kenwood Dairy in winter sunshine looks over the frosty landscape. The dairy was built by George Saunders in 1794-96 and was set on the highest point of the Estate as an eyecatcher in the park. The Dairy also has two other historic features, a ha-ha (a ditch to prevent the cows grazing in the meadow) and an icehouse where ice from the ponds would have been stored and used in the warmer months.

08/01/2025

Experience the power and glamour of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in Kenwood's new exhibition; Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits. The exhibition will begin from Fri 16 May, tickets coming soon.
Find out more ⬇️

Kenwood exhibition seeks to tell fuller story of wealthy American women who crossed the Atlantic for a husband

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! ❄ Although the house is closed, the grounds & cafe are open today if you'd like to spend the start of 2025 with us!

25/12/2024

🎄Merry Christmas from Kenwood!🎄
The grounds & cafe will be open tomorrow for you to enjoy a walk & a coffee☕
The house will be open from Friday 27 Dec-Monday 30 Dec, 10am-4pm.

21/12/2024

One of Kenwood's beautiful Christmas wreaths made by the gardening team. Placing a ring of holly on doors originated in Ireland, though holly wreaths were also given as gifts by the Romans during Saturnalia.

Druids believed holly’s evergreen nature made it sacred and decorating one’s home with holly was believed to bring protection and good luck to the inhabitants in the coming year. The “prickles” on the holly leaves were also thought to snag evil spirits before they could enter the home.

20/12/2024

It's the last weekend of our Christmas Quest! ❄ Join best friends Ellie and Jack on a festive quest to uncover the magic of the season and its much-loved traditions. There are 12 stops to discover, each filled with Christmas stories, activities and exciting challenges.

The Quest is free! Come along and take part 👉 https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/

19/12/2024

🔵 Celebrate London’s blue plaques with us and 5x15!
Join us for a superb line-up of speakers who have each chosen a different plaque recipient to talk about:
Award-winning author, Philippa Gregory
🍽️ Best-selling food writer, Meera Sodha
☁️ Cloud-spotter, Gavin Pretor-Pinney
🗞️ BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson
📅 13 February 2025
📌Conway Hall, London
🎟️ Tickets available ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wPkVV

18/12/2024

Make memories with friends and family at Kenwood this season 🎄 Discover the house and join one of the talks or tours. Explore the beautiful grounds and then relax with delicious food in the cafe! ☕👉https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/