Built / Designed For: Richard Turner

House & Family History: Lying next to the River Thames, Kelmscott was built in 1570 of local limestone, with an additional wing added to the northeast corner circa 1665. The house was originally called Lower House; it became Kelmscott Manor when James Turner (died 1870) purchased 53 acres of manorial land, together with the lordship, in 1864. The house is famous primarily because of its occupation by William Morris in the late 19th century. Morris, together with the Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, acquired the leasehold and moved in during the summer of 1871, using Kelmscott as a retreat and summer home. Morris believed the house was intensely natural in its setting—almost organic. It looked to him as if it had “grown up out of the soil”… with “quaint garrets amongst great timbers of the roof where of old times the tillers and herdsmen slept.”

Collections: Kelmscott contains a collection of objects that belonged to William Morris, as well as some of the art he created.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: Richard Turner, 16th century; Thomas Turner, 17th century; Turner family here from 1570 until 1734. William Morris, 1871-96.

Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: Owned by Society of Antiquaries of London

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01367-252-486

Fax: 01367-253-754

Website: https://www.sal.org.uk/kelmscott-manor/

Historic Houses Member: Yes