A gleaming white villa set above the wild slopes of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House is one of the loveliest country houses to survive within London. It holds a fine collection of paintings, free for all to see. The house grew from an older building, but its present grand form is largely the work of the 18th century. A celebrated architect remade it for a powerful owner. The architect, Robert Adam, gave the house elegant rooms in his refined style, with delicate plasterwork and soft colours. His library here is among his finest interiors. The house was later owned by a wealthy brewer, who filled it with great paintings and then left both house and pictures to the nation. His gift is known as a famous bequest. Among the paintings are works by some of the greatest masters, including a famous self-portrait by Rembrandt and a tender scene by Vermeer. Such works draw lovers of art. The white front of the house looks out over sweeping lawns that fall away towards a lake and the woods beyond. The view is one of the finest in the city. The grounds were laid out in a natural style, with winding paths, a sham bridge and clumps of fine trees. They flow into the wider heath around them. In summer, open-air concerts are held on the lawn before the house, where crowds picnic and listen as the light fades. The setting makes the music memorable. The house and its art are open to visitors without charge, in keeping with the terms of the gift that saved them. This has made it a place for everyone. Walkers crossing the heath often pause at the house for its cafe and its calm, before going on across the wild parkland. It is a welcome stop on a long ramble. The blend of fine architecture, great paintings and beautiful grounds makes the house a rare treasure within a great city. Few escapes are so complete. It stands on the edge of Hampstead Heath, in the north of London, on high ground above the city.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Hampstead Lane, London, United Kingdom, NW3 7JR