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Kenwood House
Remodelled by Robert Adam between 1764 and 1773, Kenwood House stands on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath. It is a splendid neo-classical mansion with beautiful landscaped gardens. Locals and visitors from far and wide enjoy the open air concerts that are held by the lake in the summer time.
Kenwood is one of those rare London places where you can easily imagine that the strife and toil of the city have disappeared.
Like most great English houses, it has had its colourful moments in history. In 1780, during the Gordon riots when up to 50,000 Londoners took to the streets to protest against emancipation for Catholics, a small mob is said to have set off for Kenwood House with the intention of putting it to the torch. Fortunately, they were distracted by the liquid pleasures offered by Hampstead's Spaniards Inn.
The landlord, one Giles Thomas, is said to have offered them an unlimited bar tab which kept them there long enough for militia to reach the scene. They were easily able to disperse the rioters since they were by that time in the advanced stages of inebriation. During the first world war, the then somewhat exotically titled tenant, Grand Duke Michael of Russia, made the House available as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers from the front.
Not long after the war, the house was again in danger. The contents of the house were sold at auction in 1922 and plans were proposed to build housing in the surrounding grounds. But then Guinness millionaire, the first Earl of Iveagh, bought the House in 1925 for the massive sum of £107,900 and bequeathed the estate to the benefit of the public when he died in 1927.
Since then, it has remained an extremely popular London treasure. Prominent author Will Self, for example, has said that he would like to have his ashes scattered there - and his mother, when she died, had the same wish fulfilled.
Opening hours:
March 29th until September 30th 2002 - 10.00am to 6.00pm daily
October 1st until October 31st - 10.00am to 5.00pm daily
November 1st until March 3st 2003 - 10.00am to 4.00pm daily
On Wednesdays and Fridays the house opens at 10.30am
For information about open air concerst, click here |
Hampstead
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