After being back from Scotland for a couple of weeks we decided we needed a day off from decorating, unfortunately the weather wasn’t great so indoor activities were required.
First stop Osterley House, a country estate in the middle of Hounslow. It was created in the late 18th century by Robert Adam for the Child family to entertain and impress their friends and clients.
A walk up the drive, past the cows (which today were hiding under the trees), round the pond and up to the main entrance, the house was definitely built to create an impression when you arrived.
Unfortunately the bedrooms are currently closed for renovation, but we toured the ground floor and kitchens / housekeepers rooms with the aid of an audio guide, then we had thought we would walk round the formal gardens but as it was still raining we went for a coffee in the stable block which is still quite like a stable!
As it was still raining quite hard we decided to visit another house, Ham House in Richmond. This is a slightly older house (17th century). It was created by the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale who transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England.
Unfortunately no audio guide in this house so we worked our way round the first floor which has changed quite significantly over the years, they completely removed the dining room to create a double height entrance hall, although some rooms seemed quite plain it was interesting to see things like the leather wallpaper and parquet flooring. One of the rooms has not been updated or changed since the 1700’s
Interestingly the Duchess had a bathroom built but it is downstairs, this is because it was close to the well and kitchen so hot water could be available more easily. The bathroom has a wooden circular bathtub with a stool inside it to avoid full immersion as that was considered dangerous, a bed for reclining after the bath and a later addition (around the 1800’s) of a large bath and shower all showing that washing was a major event became an everyday activity.
From the dinning room there is a direct view to the Thames and beautiful gardens surround the house including a very structured gardens and a kitchen garden which has been planted with many heritage crops, after walking round the stables we headed back to the car just as the sun came out!