Burgh House is the finest Queen Anne House in Hampstead. Built in the years after1704, it stands a mile south east of the Hampstead tube station. It was originally adjacent to the 'Wells' which originally brought Hampstead fame and fortune - the waters tasted vile, but this was thought to prove their beneficial properties.

After various vicissitudes, it fell into disuse during the war, and the area around it was bombed, and after the war it was surrounded by council housing. After a long campaign by local residents, the house was turned into a community centre popular for weddings, and it has recently been converted into the Hampstead Museum, with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

(Click photo to enlarge)

The finest room in the house is the music room with fine wooden panelling taken from the old Spa Long Room. It is popular for concerts, especially modern jazz concerts.

 

Part of the gardens at Burgh House, partly designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Note her characteristic millstone design at the centre.

In the summer it is possible to eat in the various nookeries in the garden, with food provided by the Buttery in the basement.

 

Christopher Wade, the Hampstead historian, who was largely responsible for raising the money and bringing the museum into existence.

The museum is open free from Wednesdays to Sundays from 12 noon to 5.

Further details can be found on

www.burghhouse.org.uk