Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath

Set on the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens, Kenwood is one of London's hidden gems. With its breathtaking interiors and stunning art collection of masterpieces, this outstanding neo-classical house holds one of the most important collections of paintings ever given to the nation. Works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Turner all hang against a backdrop of sumptuous rooms, including the richly decorated library, one of Robert Adam’s masterpieces. Originally a 17th-century residence for the Earls of Mansfield, today Kenwood is a free public museum set amid beautiful landscaped gardens, designed by landscape architect Humphry Repton. 

Arriving on a gloriously sunny Sunday morning, we spent the day exploring Kenwood House and the sensational paintings that comprise its world renowned-collection. We were fortunate to arrive in time to join one of the Highlight Tours that are offered twice a day by volunteer docents, as well as a Spotlight Tour which focuses on a painting in the collection and discussed in depth. Pausing for a cup of tea in the outdoor garden, we explored Hampstead Heath and outdoor walking paths surrounding Kenwood, before setting off to the local Old Bull & Bush Gastropub for a cold pint of lager and delicious lunch. A beautiful day. 

 

Louis X!V after Rigaud by Stephen Farthing, as part of a modern exhibition of the artist's work

Countess Mary Howe by Thomas Gainsborough

Pieter Van Den Broucke by Frans Hals

Mrs Musters by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Actress 'Kitty Fisher as Cleopatra Dissolving the Pearl' by Sir Joshua Reynolds

'Sir George Sinclair as a Boy' by Sir Henry Raeburn

Lady Diana Cecil by William Larkin

Interior of Kenwood with painting of Richard Sackville, 3rd Earl of Dorset, by William Larkin

The Angerstein Children by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Princess Henrietta of Lorraine, attended by a page by Anthony van Dyck

We arrived for one of the 15-minute Spotlight Tours during our tour of Kenwood House

with this lovely lady who chatted about Van Dyck's 'Princess Henrietta of Lorraine attended by a page'

Les Pêcheurs by François Boucher

'Portrait of the Artist' by Rembrandt

Looking through one gorgeous room into another 

Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh by Henry Marriott Paget

Robert Adam's library at Kenwood House in Hampstead is one of the most beautiful and famous surviving interiors of the eighteenth century

The games and reading table in the Adam's Library

Folding library ladder 

Some books on the shelves the Library

View of Kenwood House overlooking Hampstead Heath

Beautiful walking path leading from Kenwood House towards the Heath

The Heath on a sunny Sunday afternoon with families, children and dogs 

out for a day in the sun

Kenwood House 'Ladies' Bathing Pond 

Fresh herbs and flowers for sale outside the Garden Shop

Kenwood House Garden Shop

The lovely leafy outdoor garden terrace where guests can enjoy tea, cakes and sandwiches from 

The Brew House or Stewards Room 

Kenwood House and the grounds was one of the filming locations for the 

1999 British classic Notting Hill

1995 British feature film Sense and Sensibility had scenes filmed at Kenwood House also

The Old Bull & Bush GastroPub in Hampstead

The Dining Room

Pint of Camden Town Lager, the perfect tipple for a Sunday lunch

Bottle of Harrogate Spring Water

Spiced Carrot & Coriander Soup with Pesto and Baked Carrot Crisps

Chicken Liver and Brandy Parfait with Cherry Amaretto Compote,

with sea salt and rosemary focaccia

Roast Duck Salad with mango, leaf lettuce and pine nuts

Pan-Fried Wild Scallops with Kohlrabi Pickle, Roasted Apple Ketchup

and Dauphinoise Chips and tomato salsa

Bowl of Chunky Chips with mayonnaise and ketchup

Vanilla Poached Pear with Coconut Sorbet, Sweet Crumb and Chocolate Sauce

with Chocolate Brownie Bomb and Vanilla Iced Cream

www.thebullandbush.co.uk