A very English afternoon...

This week I was lucky enough to have a few days off work.  A rare treat indeed and one not to be marked with a befitting sense of occasion.

My friend Anna & I decided to explore nearby Ham House.  The house is an impressive building on the river, made even more pleasing to me by the H shaped lay out it has.  I like to imagine that the house was shaped like that because of the name, or indeed named so because of the shape.  In my mind they link tidily together!


Ham House was the home of William Murray in 1626.  Murray was close to Charles I and had grown up as his 'whipping boy'. He took punishment on behalf of the young prince, and formed a close bond with him, growing up to share his taste in art and architecture.  The house was given to Murray by the King and he spent much time and money remodelling the interior.  He created the Great Staircase and a suite of sumptuous rooms on the first floor: the Great Dining Room, the North Drawing Room, and the Long Gallery with its adjoining picture closet.  I was particularly taken by the purpose of the Long Gallery: to allow the family to take exercise when the weather was bad.  


The house stayed in the family until it was given to the National Trust in 1948.

photo from here

We continued our afternoon with a visit to Petersham Nurseries.  A super posh garden centre complete with Michelin starred restaurant.  We enjoyed a coffee and slice of cake before wandering through the shop marvelling at all the wonderful things we couldn't afford!