Explore London: The Queen’s House (Greenwich, England)

Explore London: Queen’s House
Greenwich, London SE10 9NF – map

If you like seeing historical places, then this looks great it is described, by Metro, as the “opulent villa of Charle I’s queen, Henrietta Maria and the first classical Renaissance building in Britain”, with parts of it dating from the 17th century.

The official site describes it as: “The 17th-century Queen’s House represents a turning point in English architecture. It was originally the home of Charles I’s queen, Henrietta Maria. It now showcases the Museum’s outstanding fine-art collection and provides a unique and beautiful venue for weddings, corporate and private events.” From the outside, it is large and elegant, inside, it also, apparently has a “Tulip staircase”

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Museum review: Leighton House Museum (Holland Park London, W14)

Museum review: Leighton House Museum
12 Holland Park, London, W14 8LZ
Leighton House – map
NB: Please check the Leighton House official site for opening times and prices as they are subject to change. The garden, however, is free!
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: **** (out of 5)

“Located on the edge of Holland Park in Kensington, the house is one of the most remarkable buildings of the 19th century” [in London). The house was the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and built to designs by George Aitchison”.

Well, I had to start with this because it is a succinct historic description of what you get when you visit this wonderful house museum. Frederic Leighton, as some may know, was a fantastic Pre-Raphaellite British artist and, interestingly, lived in a beautiful house, which is inexpensive to visit and definitely worth a visit as it is beautiful on the inside and in the garden plus it is extremely tranquil and quiet.

About a 10-minute walk from Kensington High Street, and with a big, imposing brick front, this building looks like it will be dark and dreary. However, once you get inside, you are happily mistaken and the ceilings are hig, the windows are large and the furniture and Islamic tiled room are all amazingly interesting and beautiful. Like the house is described, this is truly a Victorian delight, which houses not only various rooms that Lord Leighton lived in, but also his studio that he worked in (that is still used today) and also a large and well kept garden, which one could spend hours in. Plus, the garden is free to the public.

Lord Leighton was a leading artistic person during the Victorian times and friends with other creative people who lived in London such a s William Morris, Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne and other artists and writers.

Run by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, this is a fantastic place to visit and take a tour of, come to sit in the garden or possibly even the house for peaceful reflection. Recommended for people of all ages who want to see a well kept and beautiful Victorian house and garden, as well as learn more about Lord Leighton, plus see the amazing art work that he created, kept and also what Victorian tastes and furnishings were like for the time.

Further information:
Leighton House Museum (official site)

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