London is a city bursting at the seams with culture and history, and while the British Museum and the V&A certainly deserve their acclaim, there’s something particularly magical about stepping into the intimate world of a historic home. Scattered throughout the city are small house museums that are rich in character, carefully preserved, and full of personal stories. Each offer an up-close and deeply immersive way to experience London’s artistic, literary, and social heritage.
If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys uncovering hidden gems and stepping off the well-trodden tourist path, these charming house museums are for you. From eccentric interiors to artistic masterpieces, here are my favorite must-visit small house museums that capture London’s quieter, more enchanting side…
Sir John Soane’s Museum (Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn)
A true cabinet of curiosities, the Sir John Soane’s Museum is one of London’s most extraordinary cultural experiences. Once the home of neo-classical architect Sir John Soane, this labyrinthine townhouse holds a staggering collection of art, antiquities, architectural models, and personal possessions meticulously arranged for maximum drama and intrigue. Soane left the house to the nation in 1837 with the condition that nothing be moved or altered, and what remains is a perfectly preserved time capsule. Don’t miss the room with walls that open like folding screens to reveal priceless paintings by Turner and Hogarth. It’s intellectual, immersive, and unlike anywhere else in the city.
Dennis Severs’ House (Spitalfields)
Perhaps the most theatrical house museum in London, the Dennis Severs’ House is less a museum and more a sensory journey through time. Created by American artist Dennis Severs in a Georgian townhouse, the house invites you to “step through the looking glass” and experience life as it might have been for a fictional family of Huguenot silk weavers from 1724 to the early 20th century. Visitors explore in silence, as the house is filled with half-eaten meals, flickering candles, and ambient sounds of footsteps and whispers. It’s haunting, poetic, and deeply personal storytelling.
Leighton House Museum (Kensington)
Once the opulent home and studio of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, the Leighton House Museum is an intoxicating blend of East and West. Located on a quiet Kensington street, the house stuns from the moment you enter its centerpiece: the Arab Hall, a domed room dripping with Islamic tiles, golden mosaics, and a bubbling fountain. Beyond the exoticism, the museum holds works by Leighton and his contemporaries, including the Pre-Raphaelites. The combination of sumptuous design, fine art, and architectural daring makes this one of the most transporting experiences in London.
18 Stafford Terrace (also known as Sambourne House)
Step into the home of Edward Linley Sambourne, a celebrated illustrator for Punch magazine, and you’ll find one of the finest surviving examples of Aesthetic Movement interiors in London. Every inch of 18 Stafford Terrace is adorned with intricate wallpaper, Japanese prints, richly upholstered furniture, and moody lighting. More than just a visual delight, the house offers insight into the tastes and domestic life of an upper-middle-class Victorian family. It feels personal, elegant, and wonderfully untouched by time. I highly recommend visiting if you love historic detail and artistic flair.
Emery Walker’s House (Hammersmith)
Often overshadowed by the nearby William Morris Gallery, Emery Walker’s House is a must-see for Arts and Crafts devotee! Walker was a close friend of Morris and a key figure in the movement. His Thames-side home remains almost exactly as he left it, filled with original William Morris textiles, hand-printed wallpaper, and finely crafted furniture. Tours are intimate and deeply informative, limited to small groups and guided by passionate experts. It’s a quiet but profoundly moving experience, like stepping into the very soul of the Arts and Crafts philosophy.
