Plan your visit to Ham House Garden

When's the best time to visit?

Our garden team works hard so there’s plenty to see whenever you choose to visit. If you’re a Ham garden regular you’ll spot fresh displays and kitchen garden produce each time you’re here.

In spring, the garden is alive with colour with daffodils, primroses and bluebells, quickly followed by our fresh display of thousands upon thousands of tulips.

Wildflower meadows and the borders in our formal gardens come into their own in the summer months. Our productive kitchen garden is one not to miss too, with vegetables, fruit and flowers as far as the eye can see.

Look out later in summer for the changing colours in the borders, then as we move into autumn and winter, you’ll find golden leaves, evergreen hedges and trained trees make a stunning backdrop for a wrapped-up walk.

If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, visit in the morning when the gardens are less busy. We also recommend a walk through wilderness where hornbeam hedges create hidden, tranquil, spaces. Dotted throughout are small wooden summer houses, the perfect place to put your feet up or shelter from summer showers.

Opening times

The gardens are open to visitors from 10am-5pm throughout the spring and summer. We always recommend you check the Ham House homepage to confirm full details on the day though as this can sometimes change, for example on the rare occasions we are involved in filming.

Prices

The price for entry into the house and gardens for Adults is £12.50, with entry for children £6.25. Family tickets are available for two adults and any children under 18 at £31.25. Groups of 15 or more adults receive a reduced adult rate of £9.70 per person. 

Entrance for National Trust members is free.

Our Winter Admission prices are available between 4 November - 31 December and 1 January and 15 March each year.

Gift Aid on Entry voluntary donations

Ham House and Garden is part of the National Trust Gift Aid on Entry scheme which offers you a clear choice between Gift Aid Admission prices and 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 also let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.

Getting here

Ham House and Garden sits on the banks of the River Thames, south of Richmond in London.
Wherever possible we encourage visitors to use public transport. There is also nearby free car parking, and the site is easily accessible on foot and by bike.

Address

Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RS

On foot

We are located along the South bank of the River Thames. The Thames Path passes close to the entrance and is 1.5 miles from Richmond and 3 miles from Kingston. From the Thames Path, opposite Hammerton’s foot ferry, walk across a small wooden bridge and follow the well-trodden path towards Ham House.

By bus

The 371 or 65 bus routes stop near us. 371 Richmond to Kingston, alight Ham Street bus stop, then ½-mile walk (follow signposts). 65 Ealing Broadway to Kingston, alight Sandpits Road bus stop on Petersham Road by Ham Polo Ground, ¾ mile walk along historic avenues (both pass Richmond train station and Kingston train station).

By underground

The nearest underground station is Richmond on the District Line. The station is 1½ miles by footpath, 2 miles by road. Please see bus directions for travel information from Richmond Station.

By cycle

The NCN4 route passes along the nearby A307. There are bicycle racks near visitor reception, inside the property.

By train

Richmond station is 1½ miles by footpath, 2 miles by road. The route offers a smooth all-weather surface to walk on or buses and taxis offer another way to continue your journey to us.

By ferry

Hammerton's Ferry, a seasonal foot and bike ferry travels across the River Thames from the Twickenham towpath (by Marble Hill House - English Heritage) to Ham House and Garden. Small charge applies, not NT.

By road

We are located on the south bank of the River Thames, west of A307, between Richmond and Kingston. Ham is readily accessible from the M3, M4 and M25 and the Richmond Park Ham Gate exit. If coming from Kingston the Ham Street turning is opposite the Hand and Flower Pub along the A307. Follow this road for a mile to Ham House.

Parking

There is free parking 400 yards away in the riverside car park at end of Ham Street (not National Trust). Nearby streets also offer free parking. SatNav: Directs you to stables on Ham Street, carry straight on past these to the free riverside car park. There is disabled parking available close by. You can view information about council run car parks via the Richmond upon Thames Council Website. You can also plan your route using the AA route planner website which tells you about parking in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Ham-made food and beverages

Our large Orangery café offers hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits with hot food being served served from 12-2pm. The menu is inspired by Ham House’s homegrown produce, with our 17th century Kitchen Garden providing ingredients all year round, from purple-podded peas to salsify, skirret and scorzonera.

Outside the café there is a terrace area with seating for warm days and views across the Kitchen Gardens, the perfect place to enjoy the view and one or two of our signature National Trust scones as part of an indulgent cream tea. In the courtyard on some warm days and weekends, the ice cream parlour is open offering a wide selection of flavours from Judes’ ice cream and a small drink selection.

Perfect picnics

Ham House Gardens has several picnic areas, each with a different view and feel. In summer you’ll find the lawns in our plats area just south of the house give you views of the house, and the wildflower meadows full of bees and other insects. All year round the Wilderness area offers a quiet place to enjoy a picnic surrounded by winding mown paths, flower borders and tall hornbeam hedges. Next to our natural play area you’ll find picnic tables perfect for little one’s lunches and families.

Group visits to Ham House and Garden

Ham House Garden offers a great day out for groups. With guided walks and plenty of room to explore, we'll ensure you all have an enjoyable visit. The garden is an ideal place to visit with a group of 15+ people. We offer a great day out all year round, with pre-booked visits.

We offer a discount on our standard admission price, and optional extras such as refreshments or a garden tour with one of our volunteer garden guides. In order for us to accommodate all groups and offer a pleasant experience to visitors, all group visits need to be arranged in advance. If you will be arriving by coach, please speak with us before your visit for details about coach drop off and parking. 

Families

We very much welcome families to the garden at Ham House, it is here for everyone to enjoy. There is a range of year-round events for families with children of all ages. We offer a family ticket (for 2 adults and any children), which can be purchased at the ticket office. Family membership is also available and is a great choice allowing you to visit Ham House as well as 500 other properties for a whole year. 

See above for just a few ideas of the many places you could take a family picnic at Ham House, or share a Ham-made meal together. As well as a natural play area, you’ll also find plenty of space for the kids to let off steam while you take in the sights and sounds of the different parts of the historic garden. There’s a family tasting area in our Kitchen Garden too, where we encourage children of all ages (adults too!) to experience the flavour of our edible flowers and fruits. 

Pushchairs are welcome in the grounds and café but unfortunately due to the narrow 17th century doorways we cannot welcome them into the house. Baby carriers and hip seats are provided for your use and baby changing facilities are available. Pushchairs may be left under cover in the porticos beside the house (at your own risk). Children will find it very difficult to use scooters and balance bikes on our gravel paths. You are encouraged to leave them with our team at visitor reception.

Our homepage has details of activities for the whole family that can make a visit to Ham House and Garden even more special.

Dogs are welcome

Dogs and their well-behaved owners are welcome all year round at Ham House and Garden, thanks to a successful trial and overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors, staff and volunteers.

To help you and our other visitors enjoy your visit with your four-legged friend we simply ask that:

• All dogs please keep your owners on short leads and vice versa.
• Dog waste bins are available on site should the need arise.
• Short leads and spare dog waste bags are available at Visitor Reception if you require them.
• Well-behaved dogs are very welcome in all outside areas, inside our Gift Shop, and in their own area inside our Orangery Café. To keep our lawns perfect for picnics and roly-polys, visitors are asked to keep to the gravel paths where possible.

Access/ paths

Please be aware that paths throughout the gardens are gravelled and areas in our courtyard and entrance have uneven, historical cobbles. Mobility scooter and wheelchairs are available and booking in advance of your visit is recommended. Please phone our main line or email to book. A level access map of the property is available. The ground floor of the house is accessible to wheelchair users.

Shopping

Housed in one of our 17th century outbuildings, the shop is a warm and inviting space brimming full of gift ideas, tasty treats and children's toys. Why not browse for a souvenir, local produce or a plant to take home for your garden? You can also stop by our second hand book shop on your visit. When you pick up something from our shop today, you help us nurture Ham’s garden for tomorrow.