A unique 17th-century treasure trove
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.
This rare and atmospheric 17th-century house sits on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. It is the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, the Duke, who together transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England.
Ham House is internationally recognised for its superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, largely brought together 400 years ago. Some of our unique objects include a rare Chinese teapot, one of the earliest and said to have been used by the Duchess herself, and an exceptional ivory cabinet. The house is reputed to be one of the most haunted in Britain. Some visitors have reported the ghostly aroma of the sweet Virginia pipe tobacco that the Duke smoked after meals in the dining room.
Outside, the open and formal restored 17th-century gardens surround the house. It includes a productive kitchen garden containing many heritage crops, the maze-like ‘Wilderness’, complete with summerhouses, and many beautiful spots perfect for a picnic.
The historic Orangery café set in the kitchen garden serves light lunches and teas. The café is set in one of the first examples of an Orangery, however it was not an ideal building for plants to grow as the windows are small and very little light could reach the orange and lemon trees.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £14.30 | £13.00 |
| Child | £7.20 | £6.50 |
| Family | £35.80 | £32.50 |
| Family 1 Adult | £21.50 | £19.50 |
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.
Ham House, the garden, as well as the shop, café and visitor toilets are open to visit. Please check the opening hours before visiting as these may change.
Ham House, the Garden, shop, café and visitor toilets are open. Please check the opening hours before visiting as these may change.
