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About
Strawberry Hill is Britain's finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture and interior decoration. It began life in 1698 as a modest house, built by the coachmen of the Earl of Bradford. It was transformed into 'a little Gothic castle' by Horace Walpole, man of letters and the son of England's first Prime Minister. Between 1747 and 1792 Walpole doubled its size, creating Gothic rooms and adding towers and battlements in fulfilment of his dream. Further additions were made by the Countess Waldegrave in the 19th Century.
Strawberry Hill was already a famous tourist site in its own day. It has miraculously survived into ours, its rural surroundings gone, but its charm undiminished. The plaything of Walpole and his friends, it established a taste for the Gothic: fireplaces and gilded ceilings like medieval tombs and vaults, painted glass with rustic and biblical scenes and heraldry.
Walpole was a compulsive collector. His gothic home grew to house a vast, idiosyncratic collection and to reflect his social position and aspirations as an innovator in style. He surrounded himself with antiquities, works of art and curios, especially those with strong historical associations. His library and collection of historical prints were equally impressive. In 1842, at a sale lasting thirty-two days, the contents of the house were scattered to the winds, but many can still be identified.
Horace set up a private press at the house, publishing important historical texts and his own writings on history and art, He also wrote the first Gothic novel, set in the house, establishing a form and taste which is still with us.
Following an £8.9 million restoration with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the house is now open to the public as an extraordinary fairytale experience.
Private guided tours:
A private guided tour is one of the most engaging ways to appreciate Horace Walpole’s Gothic masterpiece.
To book a guided tour for a group of 15+ people contact the office on 020 8744 1241 (extension number 202) or email tours@strawberryhillhouse.org.uk.
Strawberry Hill offer a range of bespoke tours covering a variety of subjects and themes on Horace Walpole and his ‘little gothic castle’,
- General House Tour
- Stained Glass Tour
- Supervised Photography Session
- Landscape Tour
- Visually Impaired Tour
- Twilight Tour
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Adult | £14.50 per ticket |
| Art Fund | Free |
| Blue Badge | £14.00 per ticket |
| Carers | Free |
| English Heritage 10% off | £13.05 per ticket |
| Richmond Card 2 for 1 Entry | £14.50 per ticket |
| SHH Members & Patrons | Free |
| Student | £7.25 per ticket |
| Under 16’s | Free |
For more information, please visit the website.
Facilities
Children
- Children welcome
Groups
- Facilities for groups
- Guided tours for groups
Property Facilities
- Public toilets
- Smoking not allowed
Map & Directions
Road Directions
By car:
Strawberry Hill House & Gardens has its own free car park with limited spaces available to visitors. Parking may not be available during particularly busy periods and we cannot reserve spaces so public transport is recommended.
There are five ‘Blue Badge’ disabled parking spaces. Our postcode is TW1 4ST for satellite navigation systems.
Visitors are advised to seek alternative parking once our car park is full. There are a number of pay and display car parks within Twickenham Town Centre, approximately 15-20 minutes walk, most direct route via Cross Deep and Waldegrave Road.
Public Transport Directions
On foot:
The House is approximately 15 minutes from Twickenham town centre, 50 minutes from Richmond town centre and 2 hours from Hampton Court Palace along the Thames Path.
By bike:
There are good cycling routes linking Strawberry Hill to Kingston, Hampton Court, Richmond and Twickenham.
Bike racks are available in the car park. Please bring a bike chain
By train and underground:
National Rail Trains run on a circular route from London Waterloo to Strawberry Hill, with 4 trains per hour Monday-Saturday and 2 trains per hour on Sundays. The station is 5 to 10 minutes walk from the house, as signposted at the end of each platform.
London Underground Take the District Line westbound to Richmond. From there catch the R68 from bus stop Z towards Hampton Court and alight at Michelham Gardens.
By bus:
Bus 33 towards Fulwell, Stanley Road. This bus leaves from Hammersmith Bus Station stop Z2 every 8-12 minutes and travels past Barnes Station, Richmond Bus Station and Twickenham town centre. Alight at Strawberry Vale.
Bus R68 towards Hampton Court Palace. This bus leaves from Kew Retail Park approximately every 15 minutes and travels past Richmond Station stop E and Twickenham town centre. Alight at Michelham Gardens.
