Lauderdale House

Lauderdale House sits within Waterlow Park and displays architectural features spanning several centuries, including an oak doorway from Elizabethan times and a grand staircase added during the reign of Charles II. The building combines these different elements into a single residence that tells a story through its walls and interiors.

The house was built in 1582 for Richard Martin, a Lord Mayor of London, and underwent a neoclassical redesign in the 1760s. Later it served as a convalescent home before becoming its current community-focused institution.

The house functions as a creative and educational hub where visitors encounter exhibitions, performances, and workshops that engage the local community. It serves as a gathering place for artistic activities and cultural expression throughout the year.

You can reach the house through Waterlow Park, which opens in the early morning and building facilities typically operate from mid-morning onward. Hours may vary depending on scheduled events or exhibitions taking place inside.

King Charles II and Nell Gwyn, a celebrated actress from the Restoration era, both visited or stayed at the house during the 1600s. These connections link the building to notable figures from that period of English history.