Turner’s House
Extensively restored to reflect the house as the artist would have known it.
40 Sandycoombe Road, London, TW1 2LR
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Easily accessible without car
Within the house, only the ground floor is fully accessible for visitors with mobility issues. Our garden, and our toilet are also fully wheelchair accessible. We have a virtual tour available via our tablet, so other rooms and objects can be explored digitally.
In 1807 J.M.W. Turner, England’s greatest landscape painter, bought himself a large plot of land between Twickenham and Richmond Bridge. He once declared that, ‘if he could have his life again, he would have been an architect,’ and in building Sandycombe Lodge he was able to indulge that wish.
The house, intended as a retreat from the pressures of the London art world, was completed by 1813. Turner would walk to the Thames towpath, sketchbook in hand, and enjoy the river for more practical purposes – he was a keen fisherman and enjoyed the company of several friends and fellow anglers here.
The lodge also became home to his father, retired from the barber’s trade in Covent Garden. Old William took charge of household matters and enjoyed what his son called ‘farming’ – looking after the large garden. In 1826, eager to resume European travels that took up much of his time, Turner sold Sandycombe. This decision was probably strengthened by his father’ss failing health, and he was removed to Turner’s Marleybone house, though not without protest.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
1 Feb to 27 Oct
Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 16:00. Guided tours at 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30 (when available).
Not free for Historic Houses members.
From February to June – House Admission + guided tour:
Adult: £10
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £21
Child (3-17 years old) £3
From July to October – House Admission + guided tour + Exhibition:
Adult £12
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £25
Child (3-17 years old) £3
This house is not part of the Free for Members scheme, but is one of many houses on our website that we support to promote their tours, weddings, filming and other commercial offerings. To see all the places you can visit as a Historic Houses member, please visit our ‘Free for Members’ listings page here. Or to find out more about how the membership scheme works and how it supports our work to protect independent heritage, visit our page here.
Guided tours:
Turner’s House is once again offering private guided tours of up to 12 people.
Please email info@turnershouse.org for further information.
Within the house, only the ground floor is fully accessible for visitors with mobility issues. Our garden, and our toilet are also fully wheelchair accessible. We have a virtual tour available via our tablet, so other rooms and objects can be explored digitally.
Getting here
40 Sandycoombe Road, London, TW1 2LR
Turner’s House is located around a 4 minute walk from St Margarets Station. The nearest car parking is at near by Marble Hill House (then a four minute walk) Buses are regular from Richmond and Twickenham which drop off on Richmond Road.
GETTING HERE
We advise using journey planners to source the best route on your day of travel via public transport to allow for any unforeseeable transport changes. However, please see our brief guidance below:
BY CAR
As this is a residential area, we advise avoiding travel by car where possible. There is no parking on Sandycoombe Road or Turner’s House premises. Alternatively, volunteers and visitors can park in Marble Hill Car Park for £2.50 up to 2 hours.
BY TRAIN
Mainline & Overground/Underground (District Line) trains all run to Richmond station. The nearest train station is St Margarets, a short walk away.
BY BUS
From Richmond station, the H37 and 110 stop at Sandycoombe Road. Frequent services also run on the 33/490 /R70/R68 where you should alight at Marble Hill Park/Crown Rd stop. It is then a 3 minute walk.
ON FOOT
From Richmond cross the bridge and walk on Richmond Rd, continuing on St Margarets Rd, for a half mile. You will find Sandycoombe Rd on the left. If you prefer a more panoramic walk (similar to Turner’s footsteps), take the riverside tow path after Richmond bridge which leads you into Marble Hill Park, cross the park towards the Richmond Road’s gate and you will find Sandycoombe Rd at the traffic lights across the road. It is then a 3 minute walk.
PLEASE NOTE: Disabled visitors with a Blue Badge can park at the house, but the single place should be booked in advance by emailing info@turnershouse.org
The fish of J.M.W. Turner
When J.M.W. Turner lived there he had a pool at the back of the house where he used to keep the fish alive and fresh that he had caught in the nearby Thames.
Seeing the Light: An Exhibition at Turner’s House
The house and exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday 8th July until Sunday 29th October 2023.
New Exhibition inspired by J.M.W. Turner launched in his former home
A series of surprises await visitors to Turner’s House from 4 August, as a display of specially commissioned paintings will be sprinkled around the house until the end of October.
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