In spite of very English weather - sun, cloud, drizzle, torrential rain and gale force winds - a group of hardy Canadian souls visited Kenwood House in beautiful Hampstead Heath. When I dream, I dream of a house in Hampstead....
Our guide Keith was a truly delightful English gentleman who was able to bring the house alive with delicious stories about the previous owners and their loves: we admired Dutch paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer to name but a few, and portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds of English society ladies (and some ladies of dubious reputation).
We learned that it was not unseemly for the gentlemen of the eighteenth century to relieve themselves in the dining room, after the ladies had vacated the room of course! And also that it was not unusual to bring one's own cutlery when dining out at another's home.
After a one and a half hour tour we had our lunch (cutlery provided!) in the Brew House attached to the side of Kenwood House. It was good, wholesome English food. We were disappointed that we were unable to enjoy the lovely views of the Heath from the terraces but the weather was not cooperating.
By popular vote the tour and lunch were great and left the ladies eager for more adventures at lunch. Stay tuned for more Let's Do Lunch dates this coming autumn!
Submitted by Patty Bell. Picture courtesy of National Heritage
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