A unique 17th-century treasure trove
Look no further for the perfect day out with the kids this summer holidays. We've got children's activity maps, craft activities, garden games and plenty of 50 Things to Do Before You're 11 3/4.
*If you would like to visit inside the house you can only do this by tour until April 1 when it will be freeflow again*
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 acquired 400 years ago. Some of our unique objects include a rare Chinese teapot, said to have been used by the Duchess herself, and the exotic 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. Visit the hands on below stairs room; including the bathroom, complete with a wooden bathtub and bed, illustrates how baths were taken before washing became an everyday event.
Selected rooms in the house are open by guided tour during the winter months, with tickets on a first come first served basis.
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 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 | £11.90 | £10.80 |
| Child | £5.95 | £5.40 |
| Family | £29.70 | £27.00 |
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 the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
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: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| 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 donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Entrance for National Trust members is free.
From Jan to March visits inside the house are by guided tours only, no booking needed, pick up your tickets at visitor reception. Approx 30 mins long. During the weekday, tours will be on the hour from 12-3pm and will each talk about a different specialist topic regarding the house. At the weekend all tours will be 'highlight tours' which showcase a selection of our most popular rooms and below stairs will be free flow 12-4pm. From April 1 the full compliment of rooms will be available to visit at your leisure. Cafe serves hot food 12-2pm only.
