An extraordinary home and an intriguing work of art
From end of Tuesday 24 March, we closed all our car parks to further restrict the spread of coronavirus. This followed the decision to close our parks and gardens in addition to our houses, shops and cafes. We urge people to stay local and observe social distancing. Please do not travel.
The hand-carved fretwork interior of this modest, early 19th-century, terraced house is enthralling and inspiring.
575 Wandsworth Road was acquired by the National Trust in 2010, because of the rich and striking interiors created by Khadambi Asalache (1935-2006), a Kenyan-born poet, novelist, philosopher of mathematics and British civil servant. He bought the house in 1981 while working at the Treasury, and over a period of 20 years (from 1986) turned his home into a work of art.
Prompted by the need to disguise persistent damp in the basement dining room, he initially fixed pine floorboards to the damp wall. He went on to embellish almost every wall, ceiling and door in the house with exquisite fretwork patterns and motifs, which he hand-carved from reclaimed pine doors and floorboards found in skips.
The house stands as he left it, with his painted decoration on walls, doors and floors and with rooms furnished with his handmade fretwork furniture and carefully arranged collections of beautiful and functional objects, including pressed-glass inkwells, pink and copper lustreware, postcards and his typewriter.
Book a tour
To look after our delicate interiors, places are limited to 2000 visitors per year. It's a visit unlike any other National Trust day out, as you'll be invited to take off your outdoor shoes to protect our hand-painted floors. Please come prepared, wearing socks or bring a pair slippers on the day. Alternatively, we can provide you with a pair of socks for £2.00, with all proceeds going towards the care and conservation of this exquisite place.
With intimate tours of up to six people, as a guest you'll be exploring the house in your own time along with our expert guides. To look after the delicate interiors, places are limited so pre-booking is essential. Help us look after this small and fragile house by not taking photographs and also travelling light. Bags and coats can be stored securely in the dining room at the start of the tour.
Please note: the property cannot take bookings, but you can secure your place online or by calling our dedicated bookings office on 0344 249 1895. Due to the unique and intimate nature of this visit, a member charge of £4.00 does apply.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | N/A | £16.00 |
| Child | N/A | £8.00 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Admission is by pre-booked guided tour only. Booking is essential with just 2000 places a year.
Please note, due to the unique experience and intimate nature of visits, a ticket charge of £4.00 for members does apply.
Booking dates and availability will be updated in due course.
The safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors is our priority and we have cancelled all tours until further notice. When tours are on sale again they will be listed on this website.
