You may recognize it from the movie Notting Hill as the site of Anna Scott's period movie shoot.
It is most known for the amazing artwork collection it houses, including Rembrandt's Self Portrait with Two Circles (which was on loan when we were there).
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| Pamela & Harvey, Mary, Sara, Kate, and me |
There is also a very impressive collection of shoe buckles, jewellery, and portrait miniatures. The shoe buckles are actually quite impressive and I think we should bring them back as a style statement.
The original house dates from the early 17th century but the conservatory, library, and two additional wings were added throughout the 1700s by the owner at the time, the 1st Earl of Mansfield.
The 2013 movie, Belle, was inspired by this 1779 painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle and her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray, at Kenwood House. The painting was commissioned by their great-uncle, the 1st Earl of Mansfield who was the Lord Chief Justice of England. Not much is known about Dido Belle except that she was born in the West Indies and was the illegitimate daughter of Mansfield's nephew. She was raised and educated alongside her cousin as a free gentlewoman.
The estate has beautiful grounds with gardens, sculptures, and a lake. It makes for a lovely walk on a nice day. The volunteers at Kenwood House were very welcoming and answered any questions we had along the way. It made for a very fun outing.
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