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Evening With West London Wonders – Tour Of Strawberry Hill House

Strawberry Hill House

Going on a tour can be exciting, but when it is a twilight and gothic tour, then even better! I do love to go on tours. When I travel I do prefer exploring then a total relaxing holiday. It’s better to have both worlds really.

I recently had a family day out with West London Wonders to the Strawberry Hill House.

The West London Wonders enable people to discover a hidden world of art and culture with a collection of 11 museums, galleries and historic houses. Strawberry Hill House is one of those wonders, encompassing a lot of interesting facts, history and stories. Strawberry Hill House has such a majestic feel to it, just from it’s exterior. The white walls are very Prague like with its gothic and grand, old worldly feel! To say its like from a fairy-tale is an understatement.

Strawberry Hill House

Can you just see the sunsetting in the background?

The house sits in the posh and fashionable Twickenham near the Thames and was owned by the eccentric Horace Walpole who wrote the first gothic novel in 1974. He loved to collect art and had some unusual rules that only 4 visitors per day allowed of whom children were not.

Strawberry Hill House

There are many rooms to visit, some full of light and some deliberately dark, so much so that you can see their gothic splendour. Even the chairs were designed, so that you can see their gothic shadows and “gloomth” – a word created by Walpole himself.

Strawberry Hill House

Gothic chairs

Strawberry Hill House

It’s walls, ceilings and library are full of magnificence. The library was very glorious with its expandable frames, it really reminded me of Harry Potter.

Strawberry Hill House Library

Lost treasures of Strawberry Hill Exhibition opens on 20 October 2018 – 24 February 2019. From entry to the house, to the amazing rooms, this tour is a must-see. Book here >

 

I will walk you through our time at Strawberry Hill House through pictures:

The Oldly Worldly feel –

Strawberry Hill House

As we enter the house (the gloomth is here)-

Strawberry Hill House

 

Strawberry Hill House

In awe of the beautiful stained-glass windows –
Strawberry Hill House

The grandest room –

Strawberry Hill House

Strawberry Hill House

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Very Harry Potter!

Strawberry Hill House

 

Horace Walpole liked to collect art and his paintings were of family members. He had a quirkiness about him, he often put wives (of his family) on one side and on the other a mistress.

Some of the art he had was auctioned off at the likes of Christy’s, but there is a search to get them back and hopefully by the exhibition in October some of those items can be put back in their rightful place.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable day and got to learn about Horace Walpole and history at the same time. Do visit!

Strawberry Hill House

Strawberry Hill House

 

(6) Comments

  1. Strawberry Hill House certainly looks impressive from the outside and we love the decor, makes for striking photos!

  2. rhianwestbury says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen Strawberry House before but it looks absolutely stunning. I love a good tour as I think you find out so much more than if you were to go around on your own x

  3. ChelseaMamma says:

    Wow, it is an absolutely stunning building. I have not heard of it before but would love to vsiit

  4. Wow I’ve never seen this place or even heard of it actually and I grew up in London! It looks absolutely stunning! It’s amazing how many hidden gems are out there waiting to be explored!

  5. I’ve not heard of Strawberry Hill House before but it looks stunning and those stained glass windows are gorgeous. Mich x

  6. Laura says:

    The architecture and interiors at Strawberry Hill House look amazing, I especially love the stained glass windows.

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