I decided to pay this old house and grounds a visit, it’s free to visit. However, I felt disappointed with the house. I did enjoy my walk around the grounds know.

There are two old houses there, the main house museum which you can visit inside and the other appeared to be going through a renovation? The main one, the museum, I’d have to say has been, from my perspective, has been botched! You walk in and they have added the reception area/shop which in my view should be moved out into a separate building from the main house.

You walk through into a few other rooms, you see a hallway with modern displays and a room off of it also setup in a modern way which doesn’t suit the history of the house what so ever.

There are then the three main rooms facing the gardens which have this lost grandeur and look ever so tired. Floor, ceiling and walls. That’s it! Lovely looking ceilings know! These were receiving a lot of natural light and on a preservation note, maybe not the best approach.

Then you find yourself down a corridor and meet the butler, this video, does he explain the house? Nope! This focus is more about the Upstairs Downstairs social narrative.  

I proceeded upstairs to the next floor and other than seeing the round banister I couldn’t really see much more. As all the doors to the other rooms were close! Up again, past this big elevator that took up a lot of room! The top floor was dedicated to an exhibit which really didn’t have any bearing on the surrounding area or grounds. Just fashion from modern people. That isn’t history!

After escaping this poorly curated mess of a house at least I got to see the grounds. The grounds themselves are nicely kept, mostly. However, they do need a lot of work on them in some areas. The interesting grotto bathhouse was closed off to the public as it hasn’t been maintained or kept well. Also, outside is a small orangey building, which also feels like it’s lacking love from the local community.

There are some fake ruins in the garden near to an area where once they had a stables. There are a few ponds one, constructed after the London clay had been removed for brick building which was part of the old industry of the area. So in essence, it’s worth coming just to explore the grounds.

I feel what needs to be done with the house is that they need to work to bring it to a standard along the lines of Kenwood House in Highgate. Which at the top in Hampstead, now that’s a nice place to visit. Restore the furniture to the rooms, paintings. See if they can bring it in life with the past lifetime when the Rothschilds had the home.

At least you can get some nice walks here, far better to be outside anyway.

Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, London, W5 4NH
Can be reached from Acton Town tube station on the Piccadilly Line