In addition to the great architecture, long history and often expensive art collections that are housed at those places, the stately homes of London are also famous for their quite beautiful gardens. Visiting some of those places in your free time will transport you into another period and sparkle up your imagination. We highly recommend it.
Let's take a look at some of the places that you can start from:
•Kensington Palace was built in the 17th century and expanded later in the 18th century. Here you will feel like a real royal courtier and have the great opportunity to visit the King's and Queen's State Apartments. Queen Victoria lived here as a child. Her rooms are preserved and you will even be able to take a peak in her private journals, which is an opportunity that you should not miss, especially if you are into British Royal History.
•The Mansion House was the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. The building, which is one of the finest examples of the famous Palladian style surviving in Britain at the present moment, was opened in 1753 after nearly two decades of construction. Today it has a grade I listing and houses a rather imposing art collection that you will definitely like. The collection contains works by Hendrick Avercamp, Gerard Ter Borch, Pieter Claesz, Aelbert Cuyp, Frans Hals, Pieter de Hooch, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Steen, David Teniers the Younger and Willem van de Velde – 84 in total.
•Buckingham Palace is somehow self-evident. As you very well know it is the residence of Queen Elizabeth, and one of the most famous tourist attractions in London today. Thousands of people everyday come here to witness and photograph the ceremony of Changing of the Guards.
•The Spencer House, which was built for no other but Princess Diana of Wales' ancestor John, First Earl Spencer, is hands down the best preserved and most beautiful private palace of the 18th century in London. It also became one of the first houses built in the popular neoclassical style in architecture, after the architect James Stuart, dubbed The Athenian by his contemporaries, decided that the palace is to have authentic Greek decorations on the inside as well as on the outside. Today every room of the Spencer House is carefully restored and it is true to its original.
•Another one of the few surviving aristocratic houses in Central London is in Mayfair. We are talking about the Grade II listed 44 000 sq feet Dudley House, which is named after the Ward family, holders of the titles Baron Ward, Viscount Dudley and Ward, and Earl of Dudley. Unfortunately, the Dudley House is not opened to visitors, but you should go check out the exterior at least. It is possession of of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, son of Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani, brother of the former Emir of Quatar and cousin to the current one. It is the most expensive private residence in London, and probably the most expensive in the world as well – its market value is well over 400 million GBP and Queen Elizabeth, after a private visit, was quotes as saying that the Dudley House makes Buckingham Palace look rather dull.
•Fenton House is in the old Hampstead Village. It is one of London's best country houses, to a large extend because of its small albeit very beautiful garden, as well as the beautiful collection that is housed within the house - European, Oriental and English porcelain, 17th-century needlework and Georgian furniture, not to mention of the most magnificent collections of early keyboard instruments. Fenton House was built in the 17th century for a local merchant and is now under the protection of the National Trust.
•Ham House and Ham Gardens are an estate that is dubbed Europe's most completely preserved 17th century mansion. During its long and interesting history, Ham House was property to some of the most important political figures of the day. The amount of political intrigues and secrets that were concealed within the premises of the estate are hard to be kept track of. Not to mention that Ham House has the reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Britain! Because of its high degree of preservation, Ham House is often used in film productions, mostly period dramas, as well as some of the best known films of the past several years, including the new adaptation of Anna Karenina, Disney's John Carter, The Young Victoria and Never Let Me Go.
•Osterley Park and House is the oldest private estate to be featured on our list. It was completed in 1575 much in the vein of similar country retreats like Syon House and Chiswick House. The park is the largest open green space in West London, which should speak volumes in itself. Osterley Park is very popular, mainly due to the frequent features of the estate on television and in film, in productions such as the 2007 ITV adaptation of At Bertram's Hotel, a large number of the Horrible Histories episodes, and even The Dark Knight Rises, the 2012 Batman film – Osterley Park mansion is used as a double for Wayne Mansion there.
Even though living in some of those places would remain in the realm of fantasy for most of us, a visit their might inspire you to do some home improvements. The easiest way of arranging for a monthly or even weekly contract cleaning in London to ensure that your home is in perfect condition and a healthy environment for you to live in.
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