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Built on the bank of the River Thames in 1610 for
Sir Thomas Vavasour, Ham House is unique in Europe as it remains the
most complete surviving Stuart house of the 17th-century.
Despite the remodelling of the interior in 1637 and its
extension and refurbishment in 1672, much of the luxurious interior
decoration can still be seen today along with its collection of rare
textiles, furniture and paintings all spread throughout 26 rooms.
Ham House was built to impress its illustrious guests
and still does so today with its lavish interiors, historical features
and 17th-century gardens. The houses collection of fine art, textiles
and furniture are superb.
Outside of the house there are some unusual delights to
be seen including an ice house, a dairy with cast-iron 'cows' legs',
and the earliest known purpose-built still house. The gardens are a
rare example of 17th-century formal garden design containing a Cherry
Garden, lavender parterres and vaulted trellises.
On the south terrace there are decorative yew cones,
rare and exotic trees and a 17th century Orangery. It is reputed that
the Duchess of Lauderdale still haunts her beloved house.
icture copyright: ©NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel
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