Fenton House & Garden Hampstead London

London: Fenton House & Garden

Fenton House, Hampstead Heath, London

Fenton House, in Hampstead Grove close to Hampstead Heath in north London, is a 17th century merchant's house now administered by the National Trust. It is a large detached property with a lovely walled garden.

The house is a rare surviving example of a substantial brick residence from this period and offers a glimpse into the life of a well-to-do family in that era.

Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, London, UK. — A view of the garden in early summer

History

Constructed around 1686 ¹ by William Eades, a wealthy City merchant, the house reflects the prosperity and cultural aspirations of the rising merchant class in post-Restoration England.

Over the centuries, the house underwent several modifications, with each owner contributing to its architectural and decorative evolution, yet it retained its essential character as a substantial urban villa. The name of the house comes from the Fenton family who purchased the property in 1793 and resided there until 1834. Philip Fenton was a prosperous Baltic merchant based in Riga.

The property continued in private hands until it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1952 by Lady Katherine Binning, its last private owner, who had assembled a significant collection of artworks, musical instruments, and ceramics, now integral to the house's treasures.

House

Fenton House is known for its elegant architecture, featuring a classic red-brick facade with tall sash windows. Inside, the rooms are furnished with a mix of 17th- and 18th-century decor, including period furniture, fine tapestries, and porcelain collections.

The interiors also showcase a significant collection of musical instruments, including harpsichords and early pianos, reflecting the cultural interests of the house's former inhabitants.

Art

In addition, the house is renowned for its extensive collection of art, particularly an array of 17th- and 18th-century Dutch, Flemish, and English paintings. See works by John Constable, Albrecht Dürer, Walter Sickert and Duncan Grant among others. There is also a fine display of ceramics featuring Kangxi period Chinese porcelain, 18th-century Meissen figures and Staffordshire ware. The house also offers a fascinating collection of 17th-century needlework.

The walled garden at Fenton. — The walled garden at Fenton

The Grounds

The garden at Fenton House is a beautiful space that complements the historic house. It is a walled garden, typical of the period, with various sections including formal lawns, a sunken rose garden, an orchard, and kitchen gardens. The design is a blend of formal and informal styles, with manicured hedges, flower beds, and a variety of trees.

The orchard is one of the highlights of the garden, featuring a collection of heritage fruit trees, including apples and pears. In late summer and autumn, the orchard is particularly beautiful, with the trees laden with fruit.

The house's elevated position provides visitors with stunning views over the surrounding area, including panoramic views of the London skyline from the upper floors and the garden's terrace.

A beautiful day in the garden in early June. — A beautiful day in the garden in early June

Further Information & Access - how to get to Fenton House

Hampstead Grove, London NW3 6RT
Tel: 0207 435 3471
www: nationaltrust.org.uk

Hours: Fenton House is open on Fridays, Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Admission: All visitors need to pre-book their house (with garden) visit on the website above. Garden tickets are available on a walk-up basis.

Prices: Adults - house and garden £12.00; garden only £7.00. Children - house and garden £6.00; garden only £3.50.

The nearest tube station is Hampstead on the Northern Line. It's just a 5-minute walk from the station. Hampstead Heath (Overground) is about 1.2 km away (20 minutes on foot). The historical Keats' House is very close to Hampstead Heath Station.

The following London buses stop nearby, the 268, 603, and N5. The Holly Bush is a good London pub in the neighborhood.

*[1] '1693' is scratched on a chimney-stack which might indicated the date of completion of the house.