The Carlyles' home in Cheyne Row was built in 1708, one of a terrace close to the River Thames named after the owner of the site, Lord Cheyne.

The houses were originally two storeys high, plus a semi-basement for kitchens and offices, although many have since been extended or altered.

It was on June 10 1834, that the Carlyles moved into number 24, then number 5, Cheyne Row, after a protracted search across London. Chelsea was widely considered unfashionable, but the Carlyles were delighted with the space and quality of their chosen home. 'On the whole a most massive, roomy, sufficient old house with places, for example, to hang, say, three dozen hats or cloaks,' enthused Carlyle.

They initially took just a year's renewable lease, which continued until 1852, when the Carlyle's made a more permanent agreement. In all that time, the couple paid only £35 in rent; they never owned the house. Jane Carlyle was just as settled as her husband, writing: 'We have got an excellent lodgement of most antique physiognomy, quite to our humour.' After Jane's death in 1866, Thomas Carlyle lived on in the house. He passed away in the Drawing Room on February 5 1881.

After Carlyle's death, the house continued to be rented out and was left largely untouched over the next 14 years. Efforts began to preserve the house and in May 1895, the freehold of the house was purchased by public subscription and the Carlyle's House Memorial Trust formed to administer the property. The house was opened to the public the following July and in 1936 the house was transferred to the National Trust, which is now responsible for its upkeep.