Ham House in Richmond is a rare surviving Stuart mansion, built in 1610 and later transformed into one of the grandest houses of its era by the Murray and Lauderdale family. Its “secrets” are the kinds of details that make it especially compelling: hidden passages, unusually intact 17th-century interiors, strong links to court politics, and a long reputation for hauntings.
 
The house was originally built in 1610 and later became associated with William Murray, a close friend of Charles I, who received the lease in 1626. Murray’s daughter Elizabeth, later Duchess of Lauderdale, became the key figure in shaping the house’s present character. The house also has a reputation for secret routes and discreet stairways that let servants move unseen.
 
Interesting facts...
Ham House is widely described as one of Britain’s most haunted houses, with stories of cold spots, footsteps, the scent of roses, and a ghostly Duchess. Some accounts also mention a dog, servants, and other apparitions as part of the folklore around the house. Sounds incredibly busy!