Fenton House, a 17th-century merchant's house in Hampstead, is one of London's oldest buildings and features a walled garden with an orchard, sunken rose garden, and kitchen garden. Adult entry to the garden costs £8.50, children £4.25, and under 5s free.
What to Do at Fenton House
Visitors can play traditional lawn games like croquet on the main terrace, explore working vegetable plots, or picnic on hidden benches. Inside, the house displays art collections, Georgian furniture, 13th-century ceramics, 17th-century needlework, and an 18th-century embroidered map of England. A collection of historical keyboard instruments, including harpsichords and clavichords from the Baroque period, is kept in playing condition; volunteer musicians regularly tune and play them for visitors.
Panoramic Views and Ticket Prices
The top-floor East balcony offers panoramic views across Hampstead, the City of London, and The Shard. Family tickets for the garden are £21.25 (two adults and up to three children) or £12.75 (one adult and up to three children). Combined house and garden entry costs £14 for adults, £7 for children, with family tickets at £35 or £21.
Events at Fenton House
Monthly musical tours feature volunteer musicians playing historic keyboards; the next tour is July 24 at 2:30 pm, lasting one hour. The annual Idler Festival, described by The Spectator as 'Britain's best arts and literary festival,' takes place July 10-12 in the walled gardens and orchard, offering philosophy talks, comedy, music, workshops, Renaissance dancing, singing, ukulele, and beekeeping. Weekend tickets cost £155, day tickets £50 (Friday) or £75 (Saturday and Sunday). In August, a 'summer's night of Shakespeare retellings' runs on a pay-what-you-can basis.
