The collection at Fenton House has come through difficult times to its current haven. Originally Major Benton Fletcher housed his growing collection in Old Devonshire House in Bloomsbury, before giving it to the National Trust in 1937.

Catastrophically, Old Devonshire House was destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War. Luckily, the collection had been assessed as being of national importance and the instruments had been evacuated to the Cotswolds for the duration.

After the war they went to 3 Cheyne Walk in Chelsea on a temporary basis until Lady Binning’s bequest of Fenton House in 1952 made it possible for the instruments to find a permanent home in Hampstead.

The Benton Fletcher Collection includes harpsichords, clavichords, virginals, spinets and pianos, all of which are kept in playing order. Music students may audition to play.