We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Ham House?

By B. Turner
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,236
Share

Ham House is a historic structure and popular tourist attraction located along the Thames River in Surrey, London. The property was built more than four centuries ago, and is celebrated as a well-preserved example of Stuart design and architecture. Visitors to Ham House may tour the house itself, or simply choose to view the extensive gardens and outbuildings.

In 1610, Sir Thomas Vavsour oversaw the construction and design of Ham House as his personal family home. Vavsour was a member of the court of King James I of England. After Vavsour's death, the home remained in his family until it eventually fell under the ownership of the Duchess of Lauderdale in 1655.

The Duchess of Lauderdale is celebrated as one of the most unusual and well-remembered owners of Ham House. She ordered a major addition to the House to accommodate her 11 children, and also as a display of her wealth and power. The Duchess is also associated with numerous scandals involving politics, royalty and her love life. Some have claimed that she haunts Ham House to this day, and many visitors take part in ghost tours hoping to sneak a peak at the house's former mistress.

By 1884, Ham House had largely fallen into disrepair as its owners chose to live elsewhere. In 1884, the Ninth Earl of Dysart became owner, and took over the job of restoring the home to its former glory. Not only did the Earl finance the restoration of the antique furniture within the home, he also oversaw the restoration of the roof, and added electricity and central heating. After several more distinguished owners, the National Trust took over ownership of the house in 1948.

Today, visitors to Ham House can enjoy the Stuart-style architecture and 17th century furnishings. The garden also serves as a popular attraction, and is celebrated for its large cherry garden, statues, and maze. More than 250 species of trees can be found in the garden, and a variety of birds and other wildlife roost in the garden's many bushes, plants, and shrubs.

Many of the original outbuildings at Ham House remain standing, including an old icehouse, a dairy, and a still. A 17th-century building known as the Orangery has been transformed into a restaurant and cafe. The Orangery was once used to store citrus fruits during the winter months, and today chefs rely on local produce right from the gardens of Ham House as they prepare meals for guests.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-ham-house.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.