latedaytraveler

In case you missed it – informative piece about lesser known house museums in London in today’s New York Times (January 2, 2011) including Eltham House, Apsley House (aka Wellington House), and Dennis Severs House. These seem like interesting alternatives to the larger museums, especially if the weather is not cooperating. Would enjoy reading comments from those who have visited these sites or similar ones.

House Museums in London - NYTimes.com

PalenQ

I have done Eltham Palace, if that is what Eltham House here mentioned is - and it is very very difference from the usual stuff stately house thing - first of all only a tiny part of it is really old - the rest modern and with a surprise at every turn - part of the lure is the history behind the house and its builders - tucked away in a desultory part of the eastern burbs of London but easily accessible by rail/bus.

Loved it!

carolyn

I saw the Dennis Severs house on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Candles were the only light--very atmospheric. I enjoyed it. It is set up so that every room looks as if the family had just stepped out.

yk

I've been to all 3 - very different from one another yet all extremely interesting. Definitely worth visiting one or all of them depending on one's interests. Eltham is outside of the city but reachable by public transport from London.

PalenQ

You can now use an Oyster card to get to New Eltham or Eltham stations - I forget which one is close to Eltham Palace but one is closer than the other - via the Overground as locals call the commuter trains of old Network Southeast - now Southeastern Trains I think - but anywhere Oyster card readers I understand are now in place.

pavot

I've always felt sort of sorry for Apsley House, stuck where it is in the middle of so much traffic. But I did enjoy my visit there. It was very grand and very peaceful. The giant nude Napoleon was a surprise....

I really enjoyed seeing Spencer House. I think it's only open on Sundays, so you need to plan ahead, but it's a great house to see.

travisblue

Just visited the Wallace Collection in a London townhouse. It's free and as long as you don't use a flash, you're allowed to take pix. Really spectacular collection and very impressive.

http://www.wallacecollection.org/thecollection

avalon

You gave me a laugh , Pavot. We've always called Apsley House the house you can't get to from here!!

I would add Fulham Palace to the list. Just a short bus ride from near the V&A, It is or was the "palace" of the Bishops of London. Lovely gardens and the footpath along the Thames is delightful. It is fun watching the racing sculls from the crew clubs across the river.And it's free!

I would definitly add the Wallace Collection to the list and was Leighton House mentioned?

bellini

Eltham Well Hall Station is the nearest to Eltham Palace. trains from Charing X, London Bridge, Waterloo. a 10 minute walk to the palace. 20-30 mins by train from central London

bellini

Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields (nearest station Liverpool St) is so atmospheric. You need to book ahead as the groups are deliberately kept small.

yk

I agree Wallace Collection is fantastic.

Leighton House is worth a visit too; and they just finished a year-long renovation this past November.

latedaytraveler

Thank you, Fodorites all, for your informative replies. Hope to visit these sites next summer. While on this subject, has any one visited the Benjamin Frankin House? I believe it is centrally located.

bachslunch

Will enthusiastically second the Wallace Collection, which is both an attractive dwelling and a repository for a very good collection of artistic stuff and craft-related things.

Also very much liked the Sir John Soanes Museum, which is the architect's home and effects. Excellent, with much cleverness in design. The Cortauld Gallery is pretty much a small house art collection similar to the Frick in NYC, and very much worth a visit. Am thinking fans of Samuel Johnson are most likely to enjoy a visit to the Dr. Johnson House.

latedaytraveler

Thank you, Bachslunch - yet another intriguing suggestion. So much to see in London, so little time....