Ham House and Garden

A unique 17th-century treasure trove

More about this place

View of Ham House from the North terrace

What to expect from your visit to Ham House and Garden 

The opening times at Ham change seasonally. In this article you’ll find everything you need to know and what to expect from your visit.

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Ham House and Garden

Things to see and do

The vivid colours of species tulips and muscari in Ham House's garden, Richmond

The spring garden at Ham House 

The gardens at Ham House are full of spring delights; why not come along and discover our colourful displays of spring bulbs or get lost in the Wilderness.

Young boy holding a union jack flag sitting outside with his family

Come celebrate the Jubilee with us

Join us in celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee by getting crafty at our paper bunting stall open between 28-29 May, or enjoying a relaxing picnic in Ham's glorious garden from 2-5 June.

Mother and child in the playing in the ground of Ham House, Richmond, London

Families at Ham House and Garden 

There’s something for families of all shapes and sizes at Ham House and Garden. Here is all the information you need to have an enjoyable visit.

View across the garden at Ham House showing the tulips and muscari coming in to flower in spring

To do at Ham House this spring 

Explore the colourful displays of spring bulbs and blossom throughout the garden at Ham, with walks and trails for all ages.

Tours at Ham

Visitors on a tour through the gardens at Ham House and Garden.

Tours at Ham House and Garden 

Learn more about Ham on one of our free tours, led by our knowledgeable volunteers or with a self led audio tour.

The view of Ham house and the South Terrace from the base of the outdoor steps

Architecture audio tour at Ham House 

Take in the exterior styles and developments of Ham House on this Architecture Audio Tour created and narrated by our knowledgeable Architecture Tour volunteers.

Head Gardener vacancy
Gardener cutting the topiary bushes at Ham House

We're searching for our new Head Gardener 

Could you be Ham House and Gardens next Head Gardener? Our ideal candidate is someone passionate about conservation, an excellent collaborator and leader, enjoy a hands-on approach with the team, has an understanding of the importance of the spirit of place in maintaining and developing a historic garden, and a RHS Level 3 (or equivalent) as well as practical gardening/horticulture experience. Deadline 15 May.

The view of the Cherry Garden with the lavender in bloom and Ham House in the background. Play Video
Video

What does the Head Gardener role involve?

Curious about the Head Gardener role? Watch as General Manager Megan Tanner and Gardener Janette share what they're looking for in a perfect candidate and what it's like working at Ham House.

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Ham House and Garden

Eating and shopping

A family sitting outside a cafe at Ham House and Garden.

Orangery café at Ham House and Garden 

Our Orangery Cafe is open daily with a seasonal menu including a selection of drinks and food. You are welcome to eat inside in the historic Orangery or outside with views of the Kitchen Garden.

Our range of cleaning products for sale

Shopping at Ham House  

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 stop by our second hand book shop on your visit and see if you can pick up a bargain.

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Ham House and Garden

History

Ham House and Garden history

The north front of Ham House, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey. The house was built in 1610 with some alterations in 1672-4.

17th century life 

Explore the rich history of Ham House, near Richmond - one of our rare examples of 17th century life, treasures and architecture.

The Cherry Garden at Ham House, Surrey, seen from an upper floor window

The historic gardens at Ham House 

Explore the formal gardens at Ham House and enjoy the stunning walled kitchen garden, recreated to provide food and cut flowers all year round.

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Ham House and Garden

Our work

What we're up to and how you can help

Ham House and Garden's in bright winter sunshine

Support Ham House and Garden 

You can continue to support Ham House and Garden by dedicating a donation to someone special and adding your precious memories to our interactive map. A perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, your donation will help us continue to care for Ham.

Volunteers plant 30 new apple trees in the Kitchen Garden

New orchard planting with 30 London and Surrey apples 

A new orchard is being planted in Ham House’s Kitchen Garden with a selection of 30 London and Surrey apples.

Spring meadow display at Ham House Garden

Our plan bee 

Head Gardener Rosie Fyles talks about the steps being taken in the garden at Ham House to help spaces flourish and our partnership with Clipper Teas.

Ham House's Head Gardener Rosie Fyles
Emma has been sharing her Nasturtium seedlings locally.
Shire horse collect hay from Ham House's meadows
The Cherry Garden at Ham House

Nature and nurture in Ham House Garden - blog 

Ham House’s Head Gardener Rosie Fyles is gardening for nature and people in a 17th-century walled garden in London’s heart. Take a glimpse behind the scenes in this regular blog.

The other Ham House gardens 

Even though our garden volunteers were at home during lockdown, that doesn't mean they stopped gardening. Check out what this green-thumbed group got up to.

Ham House hay helps historic neighbour 

Ham House is helping its historic River Thames neighbour with a special delivery of hay, as part of English Heritage’s Marble Hill Revived programme.

Ham team discovers new garden ally in box moth battle 

The Ham House Garden team has made a breakthrough in the battle against the destructive box moth caterpillar, giving a beacon of hope to gardeners.

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Ham House and Garden

Learning

Child looking at copper pans in the Kitchen at Ham House and Garden, Surrey

Learning at Ham House 

Relive the past with your class with a visit to Ham House, near Richmond.

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Ham House and Garden

Get involved

Help protect our special places for ever, for everyone, by volunteering today

Volunteering at Ham House 

Volunteers are vital in supporting special places such as Ham House and Garden. Do you have skills that you'd like to share? Learn more about the ways that you could volunteer at Ham House.

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Ham House and Garden

Art and collections

A Man Consumed by Flames by Isaac Oliver
Ham House and Garden   Surrey

Blazing love: a portrait by Isaac Oliver at Ham House

Despite fitting neatly into the palm of one’s hand, Oliver’s portrait of a man shown burning with the fire of love is one of the most arresting objects at Ham. Dressed like a classical hero in an antique blue mantle, and wearing an earring of two linked gold hoops, the sitter gazes intently out as flames lick around him. Painted over 400 years ago, the presence of this long dead man nevertheless feels startling fresh.

Discover the painting
A selection of 125 Treasures objects

Celebrating 125 treasures in our collections 

From artistic masterpieces and vast tapestries to precious personal possessions, the range and breadth of the collections in our care is astonishing. Discover more in our recent book – 125 Treasures from the Collections of the National Trust.

Love among the Ruins by Burne-Jones at Wightwick Manor

More 125 treasures to discover 

From paintings, sculpture and books to fashion and tapestries, unearth more amazing objects featured in the 125 Treasures book in our series of articles exploring the greatest works of art in our collections.

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Ham House and Garden on the National Trust Collections website

Search the collections
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