The House at Osterley Park

Published:: 07 August 2024

The Entrance Hall at Osterley Park and House in London — The Entrance Hall at Osterley Park and House designed by Robert Adam | © ©National Trust Images/John Hammond

The interior of Osterley House is one of the finest and most complete by Robert Adam still in existence. The delicate decorations, friezes and furniture were designed by Adam specifically for each room. See the luxurious state apartments and modest family rooms as you discover the mansion, and some of Osterley's stories and secrets.

Visiting the House

Created for the Child family between 1761-1780 by fashionable Scottish architect Robert Adam (1728-1792), the grand rooms of Osterley were designed to impress the guests visiting the House or attending lavish parties. Guests would have enjoyed the extravagant Entrance Hall, the picturesque Eating Room and the Long Gallery filled with wonderful paintings.

‘Journeys – Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection’ exhibition

From 23 May to 1 November, intricately-embroidered wedding shawls from Punjab will fill Robert Adam’s neoclassical rooms with colour and craft. These textiles, made by young women in the undivided Punjab for ceremonial use, will bring new energy and cultural presence to a property with strong links to global craftsmanship, trade and Empire through the East India Company.

Partnering with renowned collector, author, and curator Karun Thakar, ‘Journeys’ draws on highlights from Thakar’s global textile collections to explore themes of migration, trade, craftsmanship, colonialism, global history and beauty, encouraging visitors to see Osterley Park and House in a new light.

Textiles play a powerful role in shaping both our personal identities and the character of our homes. From the garments we choose each day to the furnishings that surround us, these materials offer comfort, protection, and a rich means of cultural or stylistic expression. The remarkable textile collections assembled by Karun Thakar, presented alongside the Trust’s own holdings, invite visitors to view historic houses through a fresh and inspiring lens - revealing them as lived‑in spaces where global stories, craftsmanship, and local heritage meet and influence one another.

Karun Thakar commented:
“My fascination with textiles stems from the fact that no other material is so close to our bodies, touching our skin and absorbing our imprints. Textiles are full of history and act as a mirror to global events. Researching the field made me look at collections with new eyes, questioning the conventional history in the light of post-colonial contexts and narratives. I hope ‘Journeys’ will inspire others and bring fresh perspectives to these remarkable collections.”

Discover more about Karun Thakar's 'Journeys' at Osterley

Detail from Woman’s shawl, chand or moon bagh, undivided Punjab, early 20th century | © (c) Karun Thakar Collection, photo by Desmond Brambley

The Brinsley Ford Collection

See highlights from the Ford collection on display in many of the rooms of the House. ‘Discover Italy in Isleworth’ brings this wonderful collection of art to life, and you can read more about the collection and its journey to Osterley at The Brinsley Ford Collection

The Long Gallery

Spanning the entire length of the house, the Long Gallery on a sunny afternoon, glows in soft shades of green and gold. The length of the room means it was the perfect space for the Child family to display their wonderful art collection.

The Entrance Hall

With influences of ancient Greece and Rome and a soft colour scheme of grey and white, this room would have been used to welcome guests as well as hosting dinners, parties and balls.

The Eating Room

This was where the Child family would have eaten and entertained their friends and guests. Almost every aspect of the room was designed by Adam, from stucco wall decorations to gilt mahogany sideboards.

The room looks unfurnished, as the tables and chairs were either placed against the walls of the room or stored in an adjoining corridor when not in use.

The Tapestry Room

This is the first of a series of rooms that make up the State Apartment, which were designed to impress important guests such as royalty.

Completed in 1775 by French tapestry makers, Gobelins, these brightly coloured tapestries are in remarkable condition for their age. The tapestries took four years to complete and contain subtle references to Mrs Child’s love of her garden and animals.

The State Bedroom

Described as a mixture of a classic temple and theatrical stage setting, the magnificent eight-poster state bed was designed by Adam to impress. Rarely slept in, if at all, Robert and Sarah Child had much more modest rooms upstairs.

The Etruscan Room

The final instalment of the State Apartment, Adam’s vision for this room was inspired by his four-year tour of Europe in 1754–58 and the collection of Greek and Roman pottery of Sir William Hamilton.

Adam’s designs for the walls were copied in pencil onto paper which was then pasted onto canvas and fixed to the walls before finally being painted in situ. However, it’s not completely perfect – if you look close enough you can find a missing part of the design and pencil lines from the artists preparatory sketches.

Below Stairs

Please note that the basement floor is currently closed.

The ground floor would have been the real hub of the house, with staff busy making life ‘above stairs’ run smoothly. The kitchen, servants’ hall, steward's room and more all provide a glimpse into the forgotten world of scullery maids and footmen.