Ham House in the December Sun

Ham House was originally built in 1610 by Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knight Marshal to James I. It originally comprised an H-plan layout consisting of nine bays and three storeys. The Thames-side location was ideal for Vavasour, allowing him to move between the courts at Richmond, London and Windsor.

The House passed to Elizabeth Murray whose family had been a staunch Royalist supporter during the Commonwealth. Elizabeth became close to John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale and in 1671 Lauderdale was granted by Letters patent full freehold rights to the Manors of Ham and Petersham. In 1672 Elizabeth and Lauderdale were married, and, with Lauderdale the 'L' member of the 'CABAL' that ran England under Charles II at this time. The Lauderdales were close to the heart of court intrigue.

They made extensive changes to the house from 1673. Elizabeth consulted her cousin, William Bruce, and Maitland commissioned William Samwell, extending the house into the south part of the "H", making it a "double pile", two rooms deep, across its breadth. This is the view seen here.

It remains one of the best preserved 17th Century Houses in the country.