Museum Babble

Was it stunning? Yes. Was there lots to explore? Yes, but was it worth the £27 entrance fee? I’m not entirely sure. Before arriving, I didn’t check the price because after many years of visiting historic houses, I just assumed it would be within the £8-20 price range that it usually is. However, after being told that we needed to cough up £27 each, I was pretty shocked! The tickets did cover entrance for the entire year, but as someone who lives two hours away, it is unlikely I will return any time soon, especially if I have already seen the house. I feel high prices such as these undoubtedly restrict heritage and culture to those who can afford it. Also, it likely discourages a younger generation, as the cost for a family is over £60 and the student concession is only £2 cheaper than an adult ticket. However, the building is beautiful and little details throughout the property made it intriguing to visit. The Palace’s history involves both the Churchill and Spencer familie...

When visiting a historic house, you may expect to wonder round a fancy building and take a stroll through the gardens, but Kenwood House definitely delivered more than this! Paintings by world famous artists including Reynolds and Vermeer line the walls as if it were the National Gallery. However, the jewel in its crown is most certainly the self-portrait of Rembrandt. The knowledgeable volunteers described the context and drive behind this piece and others, which created a very memorable experience.  Rembrandt, Self-Portrait with Two Circles 1665-1669. Vermeer, The Guitar Player 1670-1672. Out of the many historic houses I have visited, Kenwood had the most unexpected and interesting historical past. The 1st Earl of Mansfield, its most noted previous occupant, played an important role in the abolition of slavery, the story of which was depicted in the 2014 film Belle. The diverse group of volunteers were extremely passionate about t...