20 best historic houses and buildings to visit in London

Leave modern London behind with a visit to one of the city's many historic sites, houses and palaces.

Visit one of London's many historic houses and opulent palaces to learn about the people who lived there, view art and antiques, find out about historic interiors and design or get inspiration from their exquisite gardens and grounds. Work out where to find them all using the London attractions map.

Historic buildings in London

Discover the incredible history of the Tower of London. The historic site has been a palace, prison, armoury and powerful fortress, and even a menagerie. Now visit the priceless Crown Jewels and join an iconic Beefeater on a tour to hear their bloody tales.

Where:

Tower Hill, City of London, London, EC3N 4AB

Price:

From £34.80

Built in 1984, Tower Bridge is the most iconic bridge in London. Find out more about how the famous bridge’s history at the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can also enjoy fantastic views from 45m (131 ft) above the Thames on the bridge’s walkways.

Where:

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

Price:

From £13.40

Historic palaces in London

Visit Buckingham Palace for a glimpse inside one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. During the summer you can tour the 19 spectacular State Rooms, and during the rest of the year you can still see the famous exterior of the palace and watch the Changing the Guard ceremony.

Where:

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London, SW1A 1AA

Price:

From £32.00

Discover the magnificence of Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's favourite royal residence. As well as the breathtaking grandeur of the Tudor king's state rooms, explore the vast kitchens, bustling Base Court and more than 60 acres of gardens with their famous maze.

Where:

East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

Price:

From £26.30

Experience life as a 17th- and 18th-century royal courtier as you make your way up the King's Staircase or through the magnificent King’s and Queen’s State Apartments in Kensington Palace and explore the rooms Queen Victoria used as a child to learn more about her extraordinary life from her journals.

Where:

Kensington Palace State Apartments, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX

Price:

From £20.00

The imposing Lambeth Palace has been the official London residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury since the 13th century. Lambeth has one of the largest collections of church records in its library, where visitors can take a guided tour along with the crypt, guard room and chapel.

Where:

Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7JU

Eltham Palace is a stunning art deco mansion on the grounds of a former medieval royal palace. The lavish interiors reflect the glamour and allure of 1930s fashionable society. You can also wander around 19 acres of beautiful gardens and medieval features, including London's oldest working bridge over the moat.
Where:

Court Yard, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE

Price:

From £17.60

The most intimate of royal palaces, Kew Palace was built as a private house in 1631 and used by the royal family between 1729 and 1818. Visitors can experience a riot of colour in authentically re-created Georgian rooms, wander through the eerie upper floor, which has been left untouched for centuries, and visit the newly restored Royal Kitchens.

Where:

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AB

Price:

From £14.00

Stately homes in London

Situated on the bank of the Thames in Richmond, Ham House is Europe's most complete surviving 17th-century mansion. Its imposing exterior conceals centuries of royal and political secrets. Countless ghostly sightings make this house all the more mysterious! The fine interiors and historic gardens make Ham a great place to visit.

Where:

Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, TW10 7RS

Price:

From £10.40

A spectacular mansion surrounded by parks and farmland, Osterley is one of the last surviving country estates in London. Originally built in 1575, it was transformed by Robert Adam into an elegant 18th-century neo-classical villa. Explore the stunning interiors with an audio-visual guide, then enjoy a stroll in the huge grounds.
Where:

Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB

Price:

From £10.40

You'll recognise the signature style of designer craftsman William Morris as soon as you step through the door. Red House in London is full of his decorative arts and is the perfect place for craft lovers to channel some inspiration. If the weather's good, you can head into the gorgeous gardens to pick up even more ideas.
Where:

Red House Lane, Bexleyheath, DA6 8JF

Price:

From £7.70

Kenwood House is a magnificent stately home in Hampstead. It featured in the romantic comedy Notting Hill. The interiors, designed by Robert Adam, are beautifully restored and contain masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Turner and Gainsborough. In summer, you can see live music concerts in the grounds.
Where:

Hampstead Lane, London, NW3 7JR

Price:

Free

Fenton House in Hampstead Village is one of London's most enchanting country houses. Exhibits include European, Oriental and English porcelain, 17th-century needlework and Georgian furniture. Music lovers should check out the collection of early keyboard instruments. Plus there's an orchard and a working kitchen garden.

Where:

Windmill Hill, London, NW3 6RT

Price:

From £7.70

Historic houses in London

The official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, the Palladian-style Mansion House was built in the 18th century and has served many purposes over the years, including a court (the cellar once held prisoners' cells). In-house guides conduct regular tours around the house and its magnificent collections of plates and art.
Where:

Mansion House, London, EC4N 8BH

Visit the former house of artist Dennis Severs. Credit: Lucinda Douglas Menzies. Image courtesy of Dennis Severs' House.
Wander around the former house of artist Dennis Severs. Inside, Severs has created the atmosphere left behind by an imaginary 18th-century family. You can sense their presence by the things they've left behind, including the smell of food about to be eaten, and beds that have been slept in and left unmade.
Where:

18 Folgate Street, London, E1 6BX

Price:

From £15.00

The magnificent home of the first Duke of Wellington, Apsley House is known as Number 1 London. Inside you can see many aspects of the duke's life, including his art collection. Works by Velazquez, Rubens, Van Dyck and Goya hang throughout the first floor, alongside porcelain, silver, sculpture, furniture and stunning interiors.

Where:

149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London, W1J 7NT

Price:

From £11.30

Visit the 300-year-old townhouse where writer Samuel Johnson compiled his ambitious Dictionary of the English Language. The building boasts many original features, plus fascinating artefacts relating to Johnson, including manuscripts written in his own hand, portraits of Johnson and his contemporaries, and even the writer's walking stick.

Where:

17 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE

Price:

From £4.50

Leighton House is the former studio-house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton. Inside you can see extraordinary period interiors including the Arab Hall, and a permanent exhibition of Victorian paintings, drawings and sculpture by Leighton, Burne-Jones, Millais, Stevens and Alma-Tadema
Where:

12 Holland Park Road, London, W14 8LZ

Price:

From £9.00

Built in 1535 by Henry VIII's Secretary of State, Sir Ralph Sadleir, Sutton House retains much of the atmosphere of a Tudor home despite some more modern alterations. The oak-panelling, painted staircases and original carved fireplaces have been restored, and the house incorporates an arts and education centre for east London.

Where:

2-4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, London, E9 6JQ

Price:

From £5.40

The William Morris Gallery is a public gallery devoted to the life and work of William Morris. Morris, a designer, craftsman, writer, conservationist and socialist was one of the founders of the arts and crafts movement in Victorian Britain. The grade II listed building was Morris's family home from 1848 to 1856.
Where:

Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London, E17 4PP

Price:

Free

What is the most famous house in London?

When it comes to famous living residences in London, Buckingham Palace sits atop the list. As a world renowned building and previous residence of the Queen, Buckingham Palace is a 775 room royal residence famed for its ornate exterior and lavish interior. Though the King doesn't live at Buckingham Palace, the building itself is used throughout the year for events, garden parties and even as a tourist attraction when it opens its doors during the summer months. 

What is the oldest surviving house in London?

The oldest surviving house in London is believed to be 41-42 Cloth Fair. Located in the City of London, this home is rumoured to be the only house in its area that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and also survived the Blitz during World War II.

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