Ham House
Cherkley Court & Gardens Clandon Park Claremont Landscape Garden Ham House Hampton Court Kensington Roof Gardens(London) Kew Gardens Loseley Park Mordon Hall Park Painshill Gardens Polesden Lacey Titsey Place Wisley Gardens	The thumbnails shown below are linked to larger pictures Ham House is unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th-century fashion and power. One of a series of palaces and grand houses along the banks of the Thames, it was built in 1610 and enlarged in the 1670s, when it was at the heart of Restoration court life and intrigue. It was then occupied by the same family until 1948. The formal garden is significant for its survival within the area known to be the cradle of the English Landscape Movement. The outbuildings include an orangery, ice house, still house and dairy with cast iron 'cows legs' supporting marble slabs. Ham House was built in 1610 for Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knight Marshal to James I. On Sir Thomas's death in 1620, the house passed briefly to the Earl of Holdernesse, before becoming the home of William Murray in 1626. Murray had been the 'whipping boy' for the future Charles I. 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. Ham is important as one of the few surviving examples of an original 17th century garden layout. Drawings, plans and documentary evidence show us how the gardens looked in the past. Over the years nature encroached on the original garden, hiding the 1670s design. In 1975 the National Trust decided to re-instate its appearance by recreating the Cherry Garden, Plats and Wilderness. For authenticity they only use plant species that were introduced to Britain before 1700. The restoration work continues, with the return of fruit and vegetables to the Kitchen Garden. *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information*